The IFCA (Santander, Spain) announces ONE post-doctoral contract to work on topics within the project “Athena, Phase A2/B/C: Scientific participation in the mission and development of the X-IFU instrument” (RTI2018-096686-B-C21) led by Dr. Silvia Mateos and Dr. Maite Ceballos.

Research topics at the IFCA include: active galaxies, galactic formation and evolution, cosmology and particle physics. In 2018, the IFCA was granted by the Spanish Government the status of Maria de Maeztu Center of Excellence, a prestigious recognition which position the IFCA among the leading research institutes in Spain. Further information about the IFCA's research programmes is available at the IFCA's web page.

Tasks: The successful candidate will pursue research in the following topics:

• Exploitation of multi-wavelength surveys and catalogues to select, characterize and analyse extragalactic X-ray sources, mainly AGN, and particularly the most obscured ones.
• Application of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques to multi-wavelength data from large surveys.
• Evaluation and optimization of the developed methods on simulated Athena data, the upcoming ESA X-ray observatory.
• Collaboration with the IFCA’s outreach activities.

Particular attention will be given to applicants with experience in the field of active galaxies and ML/DL techniques, and more specifically, those who have worked with X-ray observations and large catalogues. The IFCA is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.

The recruitment process will proceed in two stages:

1. Candidates are asked to send their CV and the names of two people who could provide recommendation letters for them to the email address below by November 20th. After evaluation of the documentation, letters, and possible interview, all candidates will be contacted and informed of whether they have been chosen for a short list.
2. Candidates in the short list will be required to enrol in the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) job bank, before a formal call is released and a final formal evaluation is performed. Details about how to enrol, the documentation needed, and the formal evaluation process will be provided at the beginning of this second stage.

Starting date: Beginning of 2021, preferably January 2021.

Duration: Until December 2021, with the possibility of an extension for another year.

Contact: For further information about the scientific aspects of this opening, please contact Dr. Amalia Corral (corral at ifca.unican.es).