Ref: CAUP2011-05UnF-BI

The Centro de Astrofisica da Universidade do Porto(CAUP) opens a call for

• 1 PhD student position with a maximum duration of 3-years
• 2 "Bolsas de Investigação" for PhD or Master students with a maximum duration of 1-year

The positions are offered in the context of the Starting Grant "EXtra-solar planets and stellar astrophysics: towards the detection of Other Earths" funded by the European Community/European Research Council under the FP7 Ideas programme.

The PhD and MSc level positions are to be started on the 1st of October 2011 at the latest.
The successful candidates are expected to pursue research in the following fields

• Astrophysical limitations to the detection of Earth like planets
• Spectroscopic analysis of stars with planetary systems
• Extra-solar planet searches using radial-velocity and/or transit techniques

According to the rules of the National Science Foundation FCT, the approximate yearly incomes of the different fellowships are the following (tax free): 12 000 euros for PhD-level students, and 9 000 euros for Master level students.

The successful students will be integrated in the team on "Origin and Evolution of Stars and Planets" at CAUP.

Application
The application, to be submitted by email, should include the following

• Cover letter/e-mail with a brief description of the candidate's experience and motivation, and indication of which position(s) the candidate is applying for;
• Curriculum Vitae (up to 4 pages;
• A complete list of academic courses (University level) previously followed, and respective grades;
• Name and contact details (position, email, address) of two referees, available to provide information about the candidate (to be contacted if considered necessary).

Only applications from candidates having an adequate background in Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, or other relevant domains, will be considered. The fellowships are only valid if the student is officially accepted in the Masters (dissertation year) or Doctoral Program in Astronomy at the University of Porto.

A short-list of candidates will be defined in the first stage of the evaluation based on the application submitted by email. The short-listed applicants will likely be required to attend an interview at CAUP for the second stage of the evaluation. If necessary the interview will be done by teleconference. The contracts will then be offered according to the ordering proposed by the selection committee.

For inquires and submission of applications please contact Dr. Nuno C. Santos

The deadline for application is the 22th of June 2011.

The positions will be granted only if suitable candidates are found.

Selection Committee
Nuno C. Santos
Pedro Figueira
Sérgio A. G. Sousa
Mário J. P. F. G.Monteiro

Publication Date
6th of June, 2011