IAC postdoctoral position
FLAMES II 2008 project

The IAC (Tenerife, Spain), the leading Astrophysical Center in Spain, invites applications for ONE postdoctoral research position for the external project financed by the Spanish National Plan entitled: “Massive Blue Stars" (310898) and whose PI is Dr. Artemio Herrero Davó.

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: cosmology and the structure of the Universe, galactic astrophysics, the structure and evolution of stars, the interstellar medium, solar physics, telescope design and construction, high spatial resolution techniques, infrared and optical instrumentation, and astronomical space projects. The IAC also leads the scientific teams responsible for the Day One instruments of the 10.4m GTC segmented telescope (http://www.gtc.iac.es), as well as their scientific exploitation. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the GTC is available on the IAC's Web page (http://www.iac.es/).

Tasks:
The main purpose of the position is to work as postdoctoral research within the framework of the Massive Blue Stars project. The successful candidate will work on improving the IAC VO node with observed and calculated data and will also work within the international collaboration of the "FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars". His/her tasks will be to implement the data of the First FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars (FLAMES-I; an ESO Large Programme dedicated to massive stars in the Milky Way and the Magellanic Cloudds)  in the IAC VO node, to make them easily accessible to the whole community; and to take part in the reduction, analysis and resut interpretation of the Second FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars (FLAMES-II), an ESO Large Programme specifically addressed at the understanding of the massive stellar population of the Tarantula Nebula. In addition, she/he will also particpate in the projects of the Massive Blue Stars group concerning the extragalactic stellar research, particularly using the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and implement in the IAC VO node other data available to the IAC Massive Blue Stars Project.

The tasks schedule will be as follows:

First year: the candidate will implement the data from FLAMES-I in the IAC VO node and will collaborate in the reduction of the data from FLAMES-II.

Second year: the candidate will analyze a large number of massive stars from the FLAMES-II Survey using FASWTWIND, an state-of-the-art model atmosphere code and the IAC computing facilities. He/she will also calculate a large grid of models suitable for fast analyses of large stellar samples.

Third year: the candidate will collaborate in the interpretation of the results and help in introducing some of the data available in the Massive Blue Stars project into the IAC VO node.

During the time of the contract, the candidate will help with the preparation of proposals related the FLAMES-II Survey and the reduction, analysis and interpretation of the resulting data. He/she will collaborate with other post-docs working on the IAC VO node and will also prepare the data resulting from FLAMES-II for its future implementation in the IAC VO node. It is also expected that he/she will participate in similar tasks related to extragalactic stellar research using GTC.

Will be highly valued:

• experience in the preparation of multi-object spectroscopy proposals, and reduction of the resulting data;
• experience with model atmospheres codes suitable for massive stars;
• experience with spectroscopic analyses of massive stars, particularly in the UV and optical domains, using model atmospheres;
• experience with dissentangling spectra techniques;
• experience with astronomical software, codes, and databases.

NOTE: Applicants who prepared their thesis at the IAC must present written evidence of having spent one continuous year, or 18 accumulated months, in other research institutes.

Duration:  Three years, with yearly revisions.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 33.442,54 € per annum, subject to up to 20% tax and Social Security deductions. Medical insurance under the Spanish National Health Service will be provided, and will also cover your accompanying partner and children (if relevant).

Non-UE citizens: If you are citizen of a country not belonging to the European Union, you are not allowed to sign any contract with the IAC until you obtain the compulsory documentation required to live and work in Spain (Visa, Residence Permit, Work Permit Waiver). Please contact the Spanish consulate in your country for details.

Compulsory documentation to submit:

• The Application Form: WORD or PDF;
• Curriculum Vitae, bibliography, brief statement of research interests, and a covering letter telling us about the skills you can bring to the job;
• A photocopy of your PhD Degree or certificate;
• At least two letters of recommendation must be sent (electronic submission preferred); directly by researchers or professionals familiar with your work, to the Secretariat of the IAC's Research Division: secinv@iac.es

Details of the evaluation and selection process for this position can be found in the official announcement (Spanish version only).