Researcher in training with experience in Xspec and artificial intelligence

Fundació Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya; España; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Fundació Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya invites applications for a predoctoral researcher position in the Research Area of Astronomy and Astrophysics, based at CERES-IEEC, Departament of Physics of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

The project includes analysing Fermi, Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton and XRISM data, focusing on BHXRBs and AGNs, and developing AI tools for spectral and timing analysis with PyTorch.

Qualifications

• Master degree in physics or astrophysics (or equivalent).
• Experience with XSPEC and data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python and LaTeX; good English communication.

Responsibilities

• Analyse data from Fermi, Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton and XRISM with data-reduction and analysis tools (XSPEC).
• Develop AI tools for spectral and timing analysis of X-ray data using PyTorch.
• Publish results in scientific journals and present at international conferences.

Skills

Python programming

Data analysis

LaTeX

English communication

Artificial intelligence

Education

Master in physics or astrophysics

Tools

XSPEC

PyTorch

Job description

Organisation/Company Fundació Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 13 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 22 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Introduction

The purpose of this call is the selection process of a candidate to fill a predoctoral reseracher position assigned to the Research Area of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC).

The IEEC (Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority participation in the Board of Trustees of the IEEC.

Objective 2 of the research project involves analysing data and publishing results in the gamma-ray and X-ray domains. This includes analysing Fermi data, with an emphasis on black hole X-ray binaries (BHXRBs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs); accessing certain non-public datasets, such as Chandra data during the first-year proprietary period, through our collaboration with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; analysing data from Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, XRISM, and Einstein Probe, with a focus on BHXRBs and AGNs; developing artificial intelligence tools for the spectral and timing analysis of X-ray data; and applying for observing time on telescopes operating at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths, where necessary, to complement the scientific analysis. These analyses are expected to lead to the publication of results in leading scientific journals and their presentation at major international conferences in the field.

Job Description

• Positions to be filled:1. Researcher in training with experience in Xspec and artificial intelligence.
• Professional group:group 3 personal researcher
• Professional category: Researcher in training
• Working hours: 37.5 hours/week
• Workplace location: CERES-IEEC, Departament of Physics of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Faculty of Science.

Functions:

The IEEC is seeking a predoctoral researcher to analyse data from Fermi, Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, and XRISM, and to develop software implementing artificial intelligence tools for the spectral and timing analysis of X-ray and, potentially, infrared data.

The selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Accessing certain non-public datasets, such as Chandra data during the first-year proprietary period, through our collaboration with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
• Analysing data from Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, XRISM, and Einstein Probe, with a particular focus on black hole X-ray binaries (BHXRBs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs), using data-reduction and analysis tools, especially Xspec.
• Developing artificial intelligence tools for the spectral and timing analysis of X-ray data, using frameworks such as pytorch to build neural networks, with an emphasis on autoencoders, transformers, simulation-based inference, transfer learning, and neural-network optimisation.
• Applying for observing time on telescopes operating at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths, where necessary, to complement the scientific analysis.
• Publishing the results in scientific journals.
• Providing occasional support with data-acquisition activities using the Raman lidar currently being built by the group.

Requirements

Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Specific Requirements

Participation requirements and selection criteria

• Education
  • Minimum degree of master in physics or astrophysics

Merits to be Evaluated

During the selection process, the following merits will be assessed: (the total of all merits must not exceed 20 points).

• Experience working with XSPEC (5 points).
• Experience in data analysis (3 points).
• Experience using Python and LaTeX (2 points).
• Experience with probabilistic methods and artificial intelligence (5 points).
• Experience presenting scientific results (2 points).
• Proficiency in written and spoken English (3 points).

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics

Additional Information

Selection process

Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documents contributed. Next, if necessary, the shortlisted candidates may be called to a personal interview to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assess aspects related to professional competences.

The evaluation committee for this procedure will consist of:

a) The Principal Investigator of the IEEC High- and Very-High-Energy Astronomy Project, or a person delegated by them.

b) Senior Researcher of the IEEC High- and Very-High-Energy Astronomy Project, or a person delegated by them.

c) Senior Lecturer at the UAB, or a person delegated by them.

Interested parties must have the original certificates accrediting the education and work experience mentioned in the CV and must present them if requested.

In compliance with the LISMI (Law for the Social Integration of the Disabled), the IEEC will consider reservations for candidates who certify a disability equal to or greater than 33%, provided they are suitable for the performance of the functions to be covered.

Additional comments

The reception of applications ends on 13/10/2026.

Applications that do not meet the requirements included in the cases provided for, or those which are not processed in accordance with the established procedure will not be considered.