The IAC (Tenerife, Spain), the leading Astrophysical Center in Spain, invites applications for ONE postdoctoral research position within the framework of its research projects entitled  Physics of the Dark Matter - Cosmoparticles (3I2005) and Traces of Galaxy Formation: Stellar Populations, Dynamics and Morphology (3I2406), whose Principal Investigators, respectively, are: Dr. Juan Betancort Rijo and Dr. Ignacio Trujillo.

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/).

The purpose of the position is to work as a postdoctoral researcher to pursue the performance of a catalogue of large cosmic voids and the galaxies existing in their outskirts.  These catalogues will be made from the most advanced surveys which cover large areas of the sky: SDSS, 2dF, etc.  These data will be included in the Virtual Observatory (VO) and it will be the first time that this observatory will have such a catalogue of cosmic voids.

Once obtained the aforementioned catalogues, the successful candidate will explore both theoretically and observationally, the orientation of the galaxies in regard to the large scale structure at which they are located.  The ultimate goal is to explore the angular momentum acquisition of the galaxies.  The postdoctoral researcher will work within the framework of the projects entitled Physics of the Dark Matter - Cosmoparticles (3I2005) and Traces of Galaxy Formation: Stellar Populations, Dynamics and Morphology (3I2406), with Dr. Juan Betancort Rijo and Dr. Ignacio Trujillo.

The specific tasks of the position are:

• The performance of a catalogue of cosmic voids (positions and sizes) contained in the SDSS DR7 (8032 deg2 of spectral sky coverage).  The explored volume will be 4.4x108 Mpc3 up to z=0.2;
• The performance of a catalogue of spiral galaxies located at the void surfaces.  This catalogue will contain for the first time information about the warp structure of these galaxies;
• With the aforementioned catalogues the alignment strength of the galaxy spin in the shells of cosmological voids will be quantified.  The possibility to measure this sign in other large scale structures like filaments and clusters will also be considered;
• Large scale gas flows of the intergalactic medium will be explored with the analysis of the warps of the spiral galaxies located in the shells of cosmic voids;
• The origin of the halos shape and its orientations in the large scale structure will be theoretically explored.

Highly valued:

• Experience in Cosmology, particularly in the analysis of the large scale structure using large surveys;
• Experience in programming languages (IDL, Fortran, etc.).

Doctorate: Applicants must have a PhD in Astrophysics or Physics and the doctoral certificate at the moment of starting their appointment.                                                                                            

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, starting during the first semester of 2010.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 34,405 € 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.

Questions about the position are encouraged and can be addressed to the PI’s of the project; Dr. Juan Betancort Rojo: jbetanc at iac.es and Dr. Ignacio Trujillo: itc at iac.es

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