IAC postdoctoral position
STELLAR POPULATIONS 2008 project

The IAC (Tenerife, Spain), the leading Astrophysical Center in Spain, invites applications for ONE postdoctoral research position within the framework of the “Stellar Populations in Early Type Galaxies” project, which Principal Investigator isDr. Alexandre Vazdekis Vazdekis.

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, solar system, 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 researcher within the framework of the Stellar Populations of Early-Type Galaxies project (3I2406), in order to contribute both to the development of stellar population synthesis models and the methodologies of analysis being developed by the research group. The postdoc will develop user-friendly facilities that will be of great use for an ample scientific community, including the GTC.
The candidate will be in charge of the specific tasks which will enable the increase of the benefits and versatility of these models, as well as the development of working tools specifically designed for the exploitation of the GTC in a crucial moment, exactly before its commissioning and the performance and submission of observing proposals, which include the time guaranteed to its instruments and for ESO.
Doctorate: Applicants must have a PhD in Astrophysics or Physics and the doctoral certificate at the moment of starting their appointment to take place during the second semester of 2008.

Duration:  Three years, with yearly revisions.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 33.422,54 € 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

Applications must be sent, electronic submission preferred, to the Secretariat of the Research Division, secinv@iac.es.  Applications may also be sent by post, however, applications received after the deadline cannot be accepted, unless they are post-stamped, on the application form, by the postal office, before the deadline.  Please note that the stamp on the envelope is not valid. Postal address: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, C/ Via Láctea s/n, E-38205 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain. uestions about the position are encouraged and can be addressed to the PI of the project; Dr. Alexandre Vazdekis: vazdekis@iac.es

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