Post-doctoral fellow in Galactic dynamics studies for Gaia and GaiaNIR - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

The position is placed at the Division of Astrophysics in the Department of Physics to work with Dr David Hobbs on developing science cases for the future GaiaNIR space astrometry mission. The project will focus on determining how well GaiaNIR, combined with Gaia,  can measure the dynamical properties of our Galaxy using astrometry in the Visible and Near Infrared (NIR). The combination of the Gaia and GaiaNIR missions will greatly enhance the astrometric results of common stars allowing for a more detailed analysis of the dynamics of our Galaxy while the GaiaNIR mission will also provide new measurements in the hidden regions of the Galaxy. The Gaia mission is currently in operation and producing results for almost two billion stars in our Galaxy while the GaiaNIR mission is planned to be launched around 2045 and is estimated to observe a further 10 billion stars hidden behind dust in the most dynamically important regions of the Galaxy. This research will support the scientific proposals to the European Space Agency for the GaiaNIR mission which are currently being developed.

Work duties

The main duties involved in this post-doctoral posistion are to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours.

The employee will work on simulations of the Galaxy, mainly based on N-body simulations, to include different populations of stars and their associated dynamical properties. The models may also be supplemented with real Gaia data and realistic 3D extinction models to produce mock stellar catalogues which will allow us to assess how well these populations and dynamical features (examples include: the bulge/bar, spiral arms and Galactic center regions) of the Galaxy can be resolved with the future GaiaNIR mission. An observational model of GaiaNIR’s optics and detectors will also be incorporated to assess the end-of-mission accuracy achievable. Further development will involve adapting existing software to allow the results of the mock catalogues to be loaded into AGISLab and perform astrometric solutions for the new mission, with and without Gaia data, to verify the end-of-mission accuracy predictions.

The employee is expected to promote the research results via publication of scientific papers, give talks at international conferences and by visiting other research institutes and giving seminars. This will mean some travel and there is a budget available for this but the employee is also expected to apply for travel funds from external bodies, such as learned societies and research councils.

The employee is expected to contribute to the group’s daily scientific life and participate in meetings with collaborators in Lund and elsewhere where we share research results and have scientific discussions.

Work duties will include:

Developing and/or using N-body simulations to include stellar populations and dynamical features in a galaxy model. Inclusion of real Gaia data with the N-body models. Addition of realistic 3D extinction models and end-of-mission accuracy models for GaiaNIR. Development of AGISLab to model the GaiaNIR mission, with and without Gaia data. Collaboration and participation within the research group.

The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the field, completed no more than three years before the date of employment. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

When hiring a postdoctoral fellow, the following must form the basis for assessment:

The employee must have a doctoral degree broadly related to galactic dynamics and numerical simulations of galaxies. Good ability to carry out high-quality research. The employee should be specialized in theory and modelling. Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research. Teaching skills or potential for teaching.

Additional assessment criteria:

Experience of N-body simulations of galaxies. Knowledge of astrometry and the Gaia mission. Knowlwdge of python and other programming languages is a strong advantage. Experience of handling large data sets within international collaborations. It is advantageous to have good knowledge of statistics and its applications in the field.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

 Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

a résumé/CV, including a list of publications, a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages), contact information of at least two references, copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.