The IAC (Tenerife) invites applications for TWO postdoctoral fellowships in Astrophysics to work on the project linked to the line of research “Exoplanets and Astrobiology” in the framework of the European Research Council Advanced Grant funded project “Sub-Neptunes as Predecessors for Earth-like planets Atmospheric Research for Habitability with the ELTs (SPEAR) HORIZON-ERC-2024-ADG, Grant Agreement number 10120067, led by Prof. Enric Pallé.

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

Role and Research Environment: The ERC-funded SPEAR project is an ambitious one, aiming at habilitating the characterization of small earth-size planets in the habitable zone of their stars, with the upcoming ANDES instrument at the European ELT (and similar instrumentation at other ELTs). The selected candidates are expected to spend the majority of their time to contribute to this effort.

However, the successful candidates will also have the opportunity to join the dynamic "Exoplanets and Astrobiology" group at the IAC, which actively participates in the Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) programs of the MuSCAT2 collaboration, the CHEOPS satellite, and the CARMENES and ESPRESSO spectrographs. The group plays a leading role in the development of major international missions such as the ARIEL and PLATO space missions, as well as the ANDES and HARMONI instruments for the ELT. Furthermore, the group is deeply involved in the follow-up of the TESS mission and maintains a strong, active research focus on the characterization of planetary atmospheres.

A strong publication record is expected, as well as independence and leadership capacity, demonstrated in the achievement of original lines of research, and the lead of successful observing proposals or funding applications. Given the long duration of the contracts, successful candidates will be also given the opportunity to direct PhD and master thesis students, and in due time will be expected to integrate and apply for additional funding within the Spanish and EU programs. 

In particular, the successful candidates will be pursuing research in the following fields:

• Detection and characterization of exoplanet atmospheres
• Detailed simulations of planetary atmospheres and detectability studies
• Model development of 3D stellar atmospheres
• Applications of machine learning and AI to exoplanet data analysis
• Biomarkers and habitability of Earth-like planets

Particular attention will be given to applicants with experience in the fields of exoplanet atmospheric characterization with high-resolution spectrographs, machine learning and AI applied to astronomical problems (including exoplanets) and experience with 3D, non-LTE stellar and planetary models. 

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 or Physics by the application deadline. 

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.