• Master of Sciences in Physics or Astronomy/Astrophysics (to be completed by the start date)
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken
• Solid computational background
• Strong writing and communication skills compatible with an entry-level research position.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Effective teamwork skills and collaborative mindset

The successful candidate will engage in a rigorous PhD program that involves a demanding travel schedule, including mandatory secondments with both industrial and academic partners. Participation in a variety of training sessions, dissemination activities, and outreach events will also be required. Given the nature of the program, the ability to adapt quickly to new environments and a willingness to travel frequently are essential.

The successful candidate will be offered a 36-month full-time employment contract with a competitive gross annual salary of €40,492.80, which includes health insurance and a pension scheme. Additional allowances may be available based on family circumstances in accordance with the MSCA provisions.

The recruited researcher will have the opportunity to work within an international and multidisciplinary team that includes 11 doctoral candidates spread in 10 universities across Europe, a total of 14 astrophysics research groups and 8 industrial partners that are active in the fields of data science or education.

As part of the TALES Doctorate Researcher program, the candidate will benefit from a wide range of professional and personal development opportunities through targeted training events. They will acquire a unique skill set that bridges astrophysical modeling, astronomical observations, and data science, positioning them at the forefront of interdisciplinary research in these fields.

The following conditions apply to the offered position:

Applicants must be Doctoral Candidates, i.e., not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

Trans-national mobility: The applicant— at the date of recruitment — should not have resided in the country where the research training takes place for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment, and not have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country. For refugees under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol), the refugee procedure (i.e. before refugee status is conferred) will not be counted as ‘period of residence/activity in the country of the beneficiary’.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a motivation letter, curriculum vitae including a description of their research experience and (both undergraduate as well as Msc) University transcripts to  jhep@physics.uoc.gr  by 01/04/2025. In addition, applicants should arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the same email address by the application deadline. 

Informal inquiries regarding the position can be directed to Prof. I. Papadakis at jhep@physics.uoc.gr . The successful candidate will commence their appointment in Autumn 2025. The selection process will adhere to the code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers.

The Doctorate Candidate will work close to the Institute of Astrophysics (IA) which is located at the Physics Department of the University of Crete. IA is the only research Institute in Greece dedicated exclusively to the field of A\astrophysics. The prime goals of the Institute are to foster and promote excellence in research and innovation in select fields of theoretical and observational astrophysics, as well as to train the new generation of scientists and engineers in order to successfully address the upcoming challenges in modern astrophysics and technology. There are currently 23 PhD students working at the Institute, from various countries all over the world, working on a variety of topics from High Energy And Infrared Astrophysics to Cosmology, pulsars, supernovae and X-ray binaries.