The Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Porto (CAUP) invites applications for a post-doctoral position in Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy starting in April 2006. The position is for one year with a possible extension of up to three years. Amount of the grant: 18,940 euros/year plus some amount of travel money.

CAUP is a young and active research institute situated at the main campus of the University of Porto. The current staff includes 19 researchers and in addition to these there are a number of Ph.D. students and two Master Programs, involving more than 40 postgraduate students.

The research at the institute covers a broad range of topics projects within two broad areas:

1. Stellar Astrophysics

• star formation and early stages of evolution, both low and high mass stars
• activity and variability in young stellar objects
• stellar winds, accretion, jets and HH objects
• solar activity
• internal structure of stars
• stellar seismology
• optical interferometry

2. Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy

• cosmic microwave background radiation
• weak lensing
• properties of clusters of galaxies
• galaxy formation and evolution
• large scale structures.

CAUP staff regularly use ESO facilities and other international observatories and participate in some of the current missions of ESA as well as in the preparation of future missions. There is a wide international collaboration on research and teaching projects.

Priority will be given to candidates with expertise in observational programmes (from ground or space) or experience in instrumentation.

Applicants should forward

• curriculum vitae,
• list of publications,
• brief description of past experience and of research interests
• a proposal for future research projects
• name, position, address and email of three referees (reference letters will be requested for short listed candidates).

Inquiries can be directed to Prof M.T.V.T. Lago

Applications should be received at CAUP between 5 January and 5 February 2006. Short listed candidates will be contacted before the end of February.