The IAC (Tenerife) announces ONE postdoctoral contract to work on the project linked to the line of research “Small bodies of the Solar System”. The contract is funded by the project “S2-NM-01 Science Advisory Group for NEOMIR (2nd)” (ESA Contract No. 4000147451/25/D/BL), led by Dr. Javier Licandro Goldaracena.

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: Solar Physics (FS), Exoplanetary System and Solar System (SEYSS), Stellar and Interstellar Physics (FEEI), The Milky Way and The Local Group (MWLG), Formation and Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG), and Cosmology and Astroparticles (CYA-CTA). All of these are supported by an ambitious instrumentation programme. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the 10.4m GTC is available at the IAC's web page: https://www.iac.es/en

Tasks:The successful candidate will pursue research in the following fields:

• Conduct research on the physical properties of small NEAs by analyzing thermal models derived from infrared data obtained with space- and ground-based telescopes.

• Contribute to ESA's NEOMIR mission by modeling the thermal emission of small NEOs and assessing their detectability within NEOMIR's field of view.

• Investigate observational strategies to optimize the detection of NEOs through simulations and data analysis of the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescopes, in particular, of the data produced by ATLAS-Teide.

• Scientific exploitation of the data of small bodies provided by the ATLAS telescopes.

• Participate in the scientific exploitation of mid- and near-infrared spectroscopic data of primitive small bodies observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), in the projects in which Solar System Group is involved and collaborating with international research teams. 

Particular attention will be paid to applicants with experience in the field of thermal properties of small bodies in the Solar System at infrared wavelengths, search for asteroids using telescopic survey data, and in the exploitation of large astronomical databases.

Requirements: The candidates must have an excellent research record, commensurate with the duration of their research career. They must be in possession of a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics, Physics, Planetary Sciences or closely related fields by the application deadline (June 30, 2025). 

Applications from candidates not in possession of a PhD will be rejected without further consideration. 

Candidates who prepared their thesis at the IAC have to present accreditations of complementary training at other research centers (this period should be either 1 continuous year or 18 accumulated months) by the application deadline. The IAC is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.

Selection process: The selection process consists of two phases: merit assessment and interview.

1. First phase: merit assessment. The Selection Panel will verify and rate the merits documented by the applicants. The maximum score that can be awarded in this phase is 80 points, calculated as the sum of the scores obtained in each of the following two sections.

a) CV (maximum score: 60 points). Main criteria will be:

• Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research, especially those listed in the Science Citation Index, in relation to the duration of the candidate’s scientific career. Of special importance are the first-authored papers by the candidate.
• Appointments and stays (at the PhD or postdoctoral level) in prestigious research institutions.
• Conference contributions, especially those leading to publications.
• Other indicators of research activity and motivation (like invitations to lectures, organization of meetings, and teaching at University level).
• Any periods of inactivity for medical reasons, maternity/paternity leaves, elderly care, or due to training or professional experience in other fields will be taken into account. 

b)  Adequacy to the objectives of the contract (maximum score 20 points)

Adequacy of the candidate’s training and experience to this contract. 

• Proficiency in observational techniques and data reduction for photometric and spectroscopic studies, particularly in the infrared domain.
• Background in characterization of small Solar System bodies, with a particular focus on thermal properties and infrared observations.
• Familiarity with large astronomical datasets (e.g. VISTA, SDSS, J-PLUS, ATLAS, Euclid, Gaia etc.)
• Scientific exploitation of data from telescopes/space missions (JWST, Gaia, WISE, HST, Spitzer, etc.)
• Strong programming skills in Python or similar for data analysis and modeling and knowledge of other programming languages like C/C++
• Ability to work collaboratively within international and multidisciplinary teams..

Form of accreditation for both sections: A report of the candidate's technical and research activity, accompanied by documentation accrediting the activities mentioned. 

2) Second phase: interview. (maximum score 20 points)

• Candidates who have obtained at least 50 points in the first phase will be invited to an interview. The interview may be given in either Spanish or English (as chosen by the candidate) and take place using internet communication software (Zoom) that allows voice and image transmission.
• During the interview, the candidate will present, for a maximum of 10 minutes, his/her vision about the suitability of his/her professional profile to the position and the planned research activity if awarded the contract. The presentation may be followed by questions by the Selection Committee. 

Of the maximum 20 points to be awarded:

• Up to 10 points correspond to the suitability of the candidate’s profile to the position
• Up to 10 points correspond to the candidate's vision for their future research activity.

To pass the second phase a minimum score of 15 points will be necessary.

To pass the selective process, a minimum of 65 points must be reached. If there is a draw in the score of two or more candidates, priorities will be set according to the Equality Plan of the IAC. 

Training: Candidates who have obtained their doctorate at the IAC must provide accreditation of a period of complementary training at other research centres. The required period is a full continuous year or 18 accumulated months (including periods of training during the doctoral studies stage and after obtaining the Ph.D. degree, but not periods prior to the predoctoral contract at the IAC).

Duration: The contract will be of indefinite duration. It is estimated that the date of commencement will be during last quarter of 2025. The current funding horizon for the project ends on the June 30, 2027.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 39.138 Euros, with deductions of up to 20% for income tax (IRPF) and social security (dependent on the candidate's personal situation). The contract provides social security cover for spouse or de facto partner and children.

Extra financial support to start the contract: The present job offer includes financial support related to the incorporation of the selected candidate at the IAC. You may apply for up to 2500€ to cover any necessary - and duly documented - relocation costs when you take up your post at any IAC workplace. These costs must fall under the following categories and must have been incurred within a period of 14 days prior to the date of the commencement of your contract: 

1. Plane or boat ticket from your former place residence to Tenerife (arranged by the IAC). The price of the ticket will be at the cheapest rate. Your ticket fare includes one cabin bag (56x40x25, 10 kg maximum) as hand luggage, and one piece as a checked baggage (158cm and 23 kg, maximum). 

2. Accommodation costs for the two weeks (13 nights) also arranged by the IAC. 

3. A per diem of 37.40€ x 14 days. 

No other expenses (bus, train, taxi, etc.) shall be reimbursed. This grant is considered as taxable income and the corresponding taxes (IRPF*), payable by physical persons, will be retained.

Those researchers who, having benefited from it in the past, have not passed 12 months since the last termination of their contract at the IAC, cannot be beneficiaries of this grant. In addition, those researchers whose place of residence, at the time of their application, is Tenerife will not be able to benefit either.

Applicants from outside the EU: Successful applicants who are not citizens of a member country of the European Union must keep in mind that, prior to signing the contract, they must obtain a residence and work permit (NIE card) from the Spanish immigration authorities.

Presentation of applications: Applications must be submitted electronically through the telematic application system https://servicios-iac.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/portada/idp/390/language/en 

Alternatively, you may follow the instructions given in the corresponding official advertisement on our website. 

The following documentation must be sent:

• Online application including the name and position code (PS-2025-050)
• Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
• Copy of your PhD. degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree, only in Spanish or English. (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
• Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process).
• Certificate of training in other centers (only for applicants that have completed their doctorate at the IAC).

You should also include the names and email addresses of two or three scientists familiar with your work.Applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically rejected, as will those unaccompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, Research Activity Report, copy of the Degree or the Scientific Project to be developed (in the case of PD Genérico calls), documents that cannot be corrected or added to after submission. Applications not accompanied by these documents will therefore definitely be excluded from the selection process. If any other required documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five working days after publication of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates.

The IAC supports and adheres to the Recommendation of the European Commission 2005/251/EC of March 11th 2005 on “The European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” adopted by the European Commission. Additionally, the IAC is aligned with the "Human Resources Strategy for Researchers" (HRS4R) fostered by the European Commission to support the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C), having received recognition from the European Commission, with the award of the distinction "Excellence in Human Resources in Research".

Application deadline: JULY 20, 2025 

Contact: For further information about the scientific aspects of this opening, please contact the head of the project at the IAC PI, Dr. javier.licandro [at] iac.es (javier[dot]licandro[at]iac[dot]es) (nombre.apellido at iac.es).