The IAC (Tenerife) invites applications for TWO postdoctoral contracts:

• Postdoctoral contract 1: The Whole Sun: theoretical study and/or numerical modeling of dynamical or radiative processes in the Sun
• Postdoctoral contract 2: The Whole Sun: analysis and processing of solar observations and comparison to theoretical models.

These contracts will be funded by the Synergy Grant ”The Whole Sun: Untangling the complex physical mechanisms behind our eruptive star and its twins” awarded by the European Research Council (ERC) to a Consortium of five institutions that includes the IAC.

The appointed candidates will benefit from the research environment at the IAC, which hosts one of the largest and most active solar physics groups in Europe. The group covers theory, numerical modelling, observations and instrumental development, and is involved in the development of the European Solar Telescope (EST). The IAC is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence with research topics ranging from solar physics and the solar system, exoplanets, stellar and interstellar physics, the milky way and the local group, formation and evolution of galaxies, cosmology and astroparticles.

Tasks:

• Postdoctoral contract 1: The work to carry out within this position should be related to the theoretical understanding and modeling of solar processes of interest for the Whole Sun project.
• Postdoctoral contract 2: The emphasis in this position is set on the observational reference. Particularly important is the comparison of observational data with theoretical models.

Topics of particular interest for either contract are: solar jets and eruptions (such as spicules, surges, coronal jets, flares); magnetoconvection; magnetic flux emergence and cancellation; magnetic reconnection, waves and shocks; generalized Ohm’s law and multifluid models; heating and coupling of the different layers in the solar atmosphere.

The selected candidates must have an excellent track record of research: priority in the assignment of the positions will be given to this aspect more than to the precise fit of their past research to the theoretical or observational profile mentioned above. They are expected to carry out their research in the framework of the Whole Sun project, and participate in the associated networking (which includes attendance of the project´s global meetings).

Requirements: The candidates must be in possession of the PhD title in physics, astrophysics or computational sciences by the deadline of submission of the application. The IAC strives to guarantee equal opportunities to all candidates. In particular, applications from women researchers and members of minorities are encouraged.

Selection process: The selection process consists of two phases: merit assessment and interview.

1. First phase: merit assessment. The Selection Panel will verify and rate the merits documented by the applicants. The maximum score in this phase is 80 points, calculated as the sum of the scores obtained in the following two aspects.

a)  CV (maximum score: 60 points).

• Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research, especially those listed in the Science Citation Index, in relation to the duration of the candidate’s scientific career. Of special importance are the first-authored papers by the candidate.
• Appointments and stays (at the PhD or postdoctoral level) in prestigious research institutions.
• Conference contributions, especially those leading to publications.
• Other indicators of research activity and motivation (like invitations to lectures, organization of conferences, and teaching at University level).
• Any periods of inactivity for medical reasons, maternity/paternity leaves, elderly care, or due to training or professional experience in other fields will be taken into account.

b)  Adequacy to the objectives of the contract (maximum score: 20 points)

• Suitability of the prior training and experience of the candidate to the positions. In particular: research experience as described under ‘Required expertise and field of work’ above.  

The scores granted by the committee will be based on the report of the candidate's technical and research activity, and on the corresponding documents, as submitted with the application.

2) Second phase: interview. (maximum score 20 points)

• Candidates who have obtained at least 50 points in the first phase will be invited to an interview. The interview may be held in either Spanish or English (as chosen by the candidate) and will take place using internet communication software (Zoom) that allows voice and image transmission.
• The interviews will be individual. The candidates will present, for a maximum of 10 minutes, their vision about the suitability of their professional profile to the position and the planned research activity if awarded the contract. The presentation may be followed by questions by the Selection Committee.

Of the maximum 20 points:

• Up to 10 points correspond to the suitability of the candidate’s profile to the position
• Up to 10 points correspond to the candidate's vision for their future research activity.

To pass the second phase a minimum score of 15 points will be necessary.

To pass the selective process, a minimum of 65 points must be reached. If there is a draw in the score of two or more candidates, priorities will be set according to the Equality Plan of the IAC.

Training: Candidates who have obtained their doctorate at the IAC must provide accreditation of a period of complementary training at other research centres. The required period is a full continuous year or 18 accumulated months (including periods of training during the doctoral studies stage and after obtaining the Ph.D. degree, but not periods prior to the predoctoral contract at the IAC).

Duration: Following the Spanish legislation, these contracts will have no specific end date. They will be funded for three years (contract number 1) and two and a half years (contract number 2) from the starting date, but not beyond 2026 April 30th, which is the end date of the Whole Sun ERC Project. The preferred starting date for the contracts is before 2023 May 1st.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 35.820 Euros, with deductions of up to 20% for income tax (IRPF) and social security (depending on the candidate's personal situation). The contract provides social security cover for spouse or de facto partner and children.

Extra financial support to start the contract: The present job offer includes financial support for expenses incurred to begin the contract at the IAC. These expenses must belong to the following categories, and have been incurred within the 14 days immediately before the start date of the contract: 1) Air or boat ticket from the place of residence to Tenerife (arranged by the IAC) at the lowest available fare. 2) Accommodation expenses for two weeks (13 nights), also arranged by the IAC, and 3) a per diem of 37,40 euros x 14 days.

Applicants from outside the EU: Successful applicants who are not citizens of a member country of the European Union must keep in mind that, prior to signing the contract, they must obtain a residence and work permit (NIE card) from the Spanish immigration authorities.

Submission of applications: A single application (even if interested in the two positions advertised in this offer) must be sent via the web-based application system

https://iac.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/portada/idp/390/language/en before the deadline set out below. Alternatively, you may follow the instructions given in the corresponding official advertisement on our website. The following documentation must be sent:

• Application including the name and position code (PS-2022-098)
• Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
• Cover Letter
• CV, containing a list of publications (no amendment allowed)
• Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job not exceeding 2 pages (no amendment allowed).
• Copy of your degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree (in Spanish or English) (no amendment allowed)
• Certificate of training in other centers (only for applicants who have completed their doctorate at the IAC).

The names and email addresses of two or three scientists familiar with the candidate’s work must also be included. Applications that do not include the form of Annex I with all the data required in it will not be considered. If one or more of the other required documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five working days after publication of the provisional list of candidates.

The IAC supports and adheres to the Recommendation of the European Commission 2005/251/EC of March 11th 2005 on “The European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” adopted by the European Commission (EC). Additionally, the IAC is aligned with the "Human Resources Strategy for Researchers" (HRS4R) fostered by the EC to support the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C), having received recognition from the EC, with the award of the distinction "Excellence in Human Resources in Research".

Application deadline: November 15, 2022

Contact: For further information about the scientific aspects of this opening, please contact the head of the project at the IAC, Prof. F. Moreno-Insertis (fmi at iac.es ).