The IAC (Tenerife, Spain) invites applications for ONE postdoctoral position within the framework of the “CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 - FIRST SCIENCE WITH THE GTC: THE SPANISH ASTRONOMY AT THE FRONTLINE OF EUROPEAN ASTRONOMY” project (CSD2006-00070), which Principal Investigator is Dr. José Miguel Rodríguez Espinosa.

Research topics at the IAC (theory, observations and instrumentation) include most areas of astrophysics: cosmology and the structure of the Universe, structure and evolution of galaxies, interstellar matter, structure and evolution of stars, the Sun, solar system, history of the Astronomy, high spatial resolution techniques and atmospheric optics, optical and infrared instrumentation, and astronomical space projects.  The IAC also leads the scientific teams responsible for the Day One instruments of the 10.4 m GTC segmented telescope, as well as their scientific exploitation. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the GTC is available via Internet on the IAC Web page (http://www.iac.es/).

Tasks: The main task will be the development of a software Package for the reduction of CanariCam data, following requirements to be provided. The candidate will produce friendly and useful software that the GTC community can benefit from its use. The data reduction pipeline should be able to reduce imaging and spectroscopy data, and where possible polarimetry data.  Other tasks to be undertaken are: 1) support the data reduction of the CanariCam first data, thus demonstrating the functionality and reliability of the software developed.  2) Lead/co-lead the publication of one paper explaining the CanariCam software produced, as well as other papers with CanariCam data reduced with the software herein produced.  3) Lead an outreach publication within the realm of the Consolider-GTC project explaining the work done.

Requirements: We will be looking for a PH.D. in Astrophysics with previous experience in using astronomical instrumentation as well as in the use/development of scientific software for astronomical data handling. It is important that the candidate shows broad expertise in astronomical software for data reduction, as well as experience in reducing imaging and spectroscopy data from faint sources. Some prior work in the thermal Infrared would be valued, but it is not mandatory. Likewise experience in IRAF and Python will be a plus.

We expect the candidate to have good command of the English language, as well as the capacity to learn new concepts, work as part of a team and follow directions.

Doctorate: You must have obtained your PhD in Astrophysics or Physics and have your doctoral certificate at the moment of starting your appointment to take place during the last quarter of 2009 (between 1st October and 1st December).

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

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 34.405,18 €, 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).

Relocation grant: In the present call for applications we include a re-location grant for the successful candidate in which the following items are included: a flight ticket (booked and issued by the IAC), lodging for up to two weeks (organised by the IAC) and per diem for up to two weeks.  This grant will be limited to a ceiling value of 2.000 €.

Duration: One year, until the finalization of the project (31st October 2011).

Non-UE citizens: If you are citizen of a country not belonging to the European Union, you will sign a provisional contract with the IAC which will not get into force until you obtain the compulsory documentation required to live and work in Spain (NIE card). Please contact the Spanish consulate in your country for details in regard to your VISA.

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

For any scientific additional information, please contact the PI of the project; Dr. J.M. Rodríguez Espinosa (jmr.espinosa@iac.es) or for any administrative additional information, please contact Dr. M. Franquiera (mmf@iac.es).

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