Postdoctoral position in infrared time-domain astronomy - CET-3PO

We are offering a 3-year (1 year renewable) post-doctoral position in time-domain astronomy at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences at the University of Barcelona (ICCUB), Spain. The postdoctoral researcher will join the research group led by Prof. Nadejda Blagorodnova, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Project CET-3PO.

The successful candidate will focus on the study of stellar merger transients and their remnants in the NIR and mid-IR wavelengths. To this end, the postdoctoral researcher will lead targeted follow-up campaigns with ground-based and space-based (HST, JWST) facilities, and analyse the observational data with dust radiation transfer codes (e.g. DUSTY, RADMC-3D, DAMOCLES) to derive the formation timescales, composition and mass of dust formed in the remnants. The researcher will also have privileged access to data and observational facilities available to the BlackGEM survey consortium and will be involved in the large international collaborations of Transients and Variable Stars Science (LSST), and ZTF.

Applicants must hold a PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, or related fields by the time the contract starts. Previous experience in binary evolution, observational time-domain astronomy, large transient surveys, and modelling of infrared data will be regarded as a plus, as well as the motivation to learn new skills and work independently.

Social security and public healthcare benefits, covering spouse and children. A generous research and travel allowance is also provided.

Applications should be include cover letter, CV, publication list, statement of research interests (max 2 pages), and the details of at least two referees.

We regard diversity as an asset within a team, and welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

The ICCUB is an interdisciplinary center hosting a vibrant fundamental research program in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics, with a strong technology unit supporting our participation in international collaborations in observational astronomy and experimental particle physics.

Gross salary per year: 40.000 €.