2026-2027_1_145 - A pre-doctoral contract in gravitational wave astronomy

Euraxess CZ; Palma; Presencial; EUR 17.856 - 25.668; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Universitat de les Illes Balears seeks a pre-doctoral researcher in gravitational wave astronomy. The role focuses on modelling signals from compact binaries and developing data analysis techniques for current and future observatories.

The successful candidate will contribute to software libraries and tools used by the international gravitational wave community and participate in collaborations like LISA and LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA.

Formación

• Solid programming skills in Python and C for scientific computing.
• Master's degree in a related field by contract start date.
• Pre-admission or admission to the PhD in Physics at the University of the Balearic Islands.
• Solid English for technical communication.

Responsabilidades

• Undertake research into gravitational wave astronomy with focus on modeling signals from compact binary systems.
• Develop data analysis techniques for current and future gravitational wave observatories.
• Develop software libraries and analysis tools used by the international gravitational wave community.
• Contribute to activities related to LISA, LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA and future observatories.

Conocimientos

Python

C

Communication skills

Educación

Degree in Physics or Mathematics

Master's degree in related field

Pre-admission to PhD in Physics at UI Balearics

Herramientas

High-performance computing

GPU computing

Version-control systems

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company Universitat de les Illes Balears Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 18 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 2026-2027_1_145 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A pre-doctoral contract for a researcher in gravitational wave astronomy at the Institute of Applied Computing and Community Code (IAC3, http://iac3.uib.es ) funded by the Beatriz de Galindo fellowship (BG24/00137) supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

The successful candidate will undertake research activities into gravitational wave astronomy, with a particular focus on modelling gravitational wave signals from compact binary systems and developing data analysis techniques for current and future gravitational wave observatories.

These activities will contribute to developing software libraries and analysis tools widely used by the international gravitational wave community, supporting the scientific activities of the LISA space mission, LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detector network and future observatories such as the Einstein Telescope.

About IAC3 and the Gravitational Physics Group

IAC3 is an interdisciplinary research centre home to over 100 researchers from six consolidated research groups within the departments of Physics, and Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB).

Research in the gravitational physics group spans different areas in gravitational wave science, including phenomenological waveform modelling, data analysis methods and computational techniques for current and next-generation detectors.

The group plays an active role in the most renowned international gravitational wave astronomy collaborations, making it an outstanding setting for collaborative research and international scientific exchanges.

The group has access to its own high-performance computing cluster at the IAC3, as well as national and international resources such as the MareNostrum supercomputer and the LIGO Data Grid.

• Degree in Physics, Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Master's degree in a related field by the contract start date.
• Pre-admission or admission to the PhD in Physics at the University of the Balearic Islands.

Specific Requirements

Essential skills

• Solid programming skills in languages commonly used in scientific computing, such as Python and C.
• Training in one or several of the following areas: computational physics, numerical methods, signal processing, statistical inference or scientific data analysis.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
• Experience in high-performance computing, including parallel programming and/or GPU-based computing.
• Knowledge of software development best practices, including version-control systems and collaborative code development.
• Previous participation in international research collaborations or open-source scientific software projects.
• Ability to work independently, organise research activities effectively and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Motivation to conduct high-quality research and contribute to advances in gravitational wave astronomy.
• Ability to collaborate within a diverse and multidisciplinary research team while maintaining initiative for independent research.

Language requirements

A solid command of spoken and written English for technical communication, writing papers and preparing scientific documents.

Prior experience

A strong academic record in undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Physics, Mathematics or a related discipline is essential.

Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Internal Application form(s) needed

National Social Security Insurance (Public Health Insurance)

Compensation may be higher where the successful candidate accredits recognised professional experience.

Planned end date of the tasks subject to the contract: Wednesday, October 31, 2029

Eligibility criteria

• Qualifications in the specialised area (max. 20 points)

• Accomplishments in the field (max. 40 points), such as research, innovation and knowledge transfer, teaching, professional accreditations, supplementary training, awards, etc.

• Video CV and, where applicable, a personal interview (max. 20 points)

• Experience in the field (max. 15 points), e.g.:

• 3 years (10 points)
• < 3 years (5 points)

• Other merits (max. 5 points), e.g. qualifications not linked to the specialised area, letters of reference, etc.

Eligibility threshold: 60 points

Selection process

In accordance with Article 8 of Regulatory Agreement 14540 of 15 June 2022 governing the recruitment of research staff under Chapter 6 allocation of the university budget, as well as technical or operational research staff.

i. The relevant Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (or delegated representative), as chair.

ii. The supervisor (or delegated representative).

iii. The members of the Research Area Assessment Committee (CARAI).

iv. One or more expert members in the topic pertaining to the recruitment and chosen by the chair of the committee, where applicable.

v. The head of FORHU (or delegated representative), acting as secretary, who may speak but not vote.

Additional comments

Predoctoral contract associated with the Beatriz Galindo programme (BG24/00137).

Funded through the 2023 Annual Sustainable Tourism Promotion Plan of the Government of the Balearic Islands (ITS2023-086).

The selected candidate will join one of Europe’s leading gravitational-wave research groups and contribute to activities related to LISA, LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA and future observatories such as the Einstein Telescope.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Universitat de les Illes Balears / University of the Balearic Islands Country Spain Geofield