Ref: CAUP2014-05UnI-CAPD

The Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA) welcomes pre-applications to the 2014 FCT Investigator Programme

The Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) has issued a call for research contracts, in the context of the 2014 FCT Investigator Programme which will be open between 5 May 2014 to 17h00 (Lisbon time), 16 June 2014. The positions are for up to 5 years. The net yearly income corresponds to the salary of an Assistant, Associate or Full Professor, depending on the profile of the candidate. The selection is done by FCT. Each candidate will have to select a host institute in Portugal.

The Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto (CAUP) and the Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Lisbon (CAAUL), the two most prominent research units in the field of Astrophysics in Portugal, are currently merging to create the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA). This unit assembles more than two-thirds of all active researchers working in Space Sciences in Portugal, and is responsible for an even greater fraction of the national productivity in international ISI journals in this area. This is the scientific area with the highest relative impact factor (1.65 times above the international average) and the field with the highest average number of citations per article for Portugal.

The research and development effort at the IA includes most of the topics at the forefront of research in Astrophysics and Space Sciences, complemented by work on instrumentation and systems with potential use in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Excellent candidates with more than 3 years post-PhD experience, whose research can be identified with the following topics, will be welcomed to apply to the 2014 FCT Investigator Programme with IA as the host institution.

1. Origin and Evolution of Stars and Planets
2. Galaxies, Cosmology, and the Evolution of the Universe
3. Instrumentation and Systems

1. Towards the detection and characterization of other Earths
2. Towards a comprehensive study of stars
3. The assembly history of galaxies resolved in space and time
4. Unveiling the dynamics of the Universe
5. Space and Ground Systems and Technologies

It is considered strategically important for IA to be optimally placed to contribute to the development and exploitation of large projects within the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO), besides other international initiatives.

• cover letter with a brief description of the candidate’s motivation and an indication of the geographical location (either Porto orLisbon, or both) where the research work will be carried out;
• curriculum vitae (up to 4 pages);
• complete list of publications;
• brief summary of the project;
• name and contact of up to two referees available to provide information about the candidate (to be contacted if necessary).

Each proposal will be reviewed on arrival by the selection committee. Following a positive outcome of the pre-selection the candidate may proceed with the submission of her/his application to FCT, with the support of IA.

All applications must follow the FCT regulations.

For inquires please contact coordenacao@iastro.pt

Selection Committee
José Manuel Afonso
Pedro P. Avelino
Alexandre Cabral
Margarida S. Cunha
David Luz
José Pedro Mimoso
Mário J. P. F. G. Monteiro
Polychronis Papaderos
José Manuel Rebordão
Nuno C. Santos
Pedro T. P. Viana

Publication Date
7th of May, 2014