The IAC (Tenerife) announces ONE postdoctoral contract to work on topics within the project “Centro de Sistemas Ópticos Avanzados ” (E/402100), led by Dr José Alfonso López Arregui in the framework of the PROGRAMA SEVERO OCHOA (CEX2019-000920-S)

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. In 2020, the IAC was granted by the Spanish Government the status of Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, a prestigious recognition awarded for the third time to the IAC as a leading research institute in Spain. 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/

Tasks: The successful candidate will pursue research related to the following fields:

• Research to develop new techniques for making thin films and optical coatings in the Visible and Near Infrared ranges of the spectrum, development of optical elements using new materials for their application in space.
• Research developing new manufacturing processes in order to improve optical elements edges, in particular mirror segments.
• Research to develop new manufacturing processes and tests of "free form" elements.
• Research and development of optical fibers of new design (non-circular cores) and photonic optical fibers for their use in high resolution and high stability

Special attention will be paid to applicants with experience in the field of Optical Engineering.

Requirements: To be included in the selection process, the candidate must be in possession of a Doctoral degree in Physics or Sciences with Opics speciality by the application deadline: candidates who have not received their doctorate before the deadline will not be admitted to the selection process. The IAC is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.

Selection and Evaluation System: The selection process consists of two stages: assessment of merits and an interview.

1) First Phase: Assessment of Merits: The Selection Panel will verify and rate the merits documented by the applicants. The maximum score that can be awarded for the assessment of merits is 80 points, which will be the sum of the points obtained in each of two sections:

a) Maximum score: 50 points

• Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research in optical technologies.
• Scientific publications, in both quantity and quality, as listed in the Science Citation Index (SCI); contributions to conferences; teaching tasks; scientific activity committees, conference scientific organizing committees, organization of conferences, journal refereeing, and stays at other centres.
• The time passed since the award of the candidate's doctorate will be taken into account in the consideration of merits.
• Other indicators of research activity and motivation (like lectures, seminars, organization of scientific 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) Maximum score: 30 points

The candidate's experience and suitability for the post opted for:

• Manufacturing and testing of optical components
• Design, manufacture, integration and verification of optical fiber systems and their application to astronomical instrumentation.
• Design, specification, manufacture monitoring, integration and verification of optical instrumentation in the field of astronomy.
• Computer-aided design software: ZEMAX, Codev .
• Integration, testing, operation and maintenance procedures of optical systems
• Operation and maintenance of optical systems and optical tools in lab environment, and reporting of test results.

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 the minimum score to pass the first phase (50 points) will be invited to participate in the second phase (interview) at a specified date and time. The interview may be given in either Spanish or English (as chosen by the candidate) and take place in person or via internet communication software (Zoom) that allows voice and image transmission).

During the interview phase, the candidates will have 10 minutes in which to expound their view on how their professional profile fits the post advertised and how they envisage the development of their scientific activity should they succeed in obtaining the post. The Tribunal will then go on to question them on the contents of their presentation and on any other aspects that they deem relevant.

In this phase a score of between 0 and 20 points will be awarded, of which:

• Up to 10 points will correspond to the adaptation of the candidate's professional profile to the post advertised.
• Up to 10 points will correspond to the candidate's vision of the future and scientific development in the post applied for.

A minimum score of 15 points will be required in order to pass this second phase.

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 appointment will be for a period of 2 years, finishing on December 31, 2023 (end of the project). The date of commencement will be during January, 2022.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 35.375 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 for the selected candidate at the time of starting the appointment. The support covers the following items: air ticket (arranged by the IAC) and a stay at a hotel for a maximum of two weeks, thirteen nights (reservation made by the IAC). This financial support cannot exceed 2,500 Euros.

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 sent electronically via the web-based application system https://iac.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/portada/idp/390/language/en before the deadline set out in this advertisement. Alternatively, you may follow the instructions given in the corresponding official advertisement on our website.

The following documentation must be sent in a single PDF file:

• Application: including the name and position code (PS-2021-078)
• Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
• Cover Letter
• CV, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed)
• Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed).
• Copy of your degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree (in Spanish or English) (NO amendment allowed)
• 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 at least two (and not more than 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 Astrophysics 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 enquired documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five (5) 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: OCTOBER 31, 2021

Contact: For further information please contact the project PI, Dr. José Alfonso López Arregui (jalfonso.aguerri at iac.es).