Assistant Professor (Post-doc)

EURAXESS Ireland; Polska; Hybrid; PLN 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36 labor-days of vacations

Job summary

The Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw, Poland, invites applications for a postdoctoral research position funded by NCN DAINA. The selected candidate will work on photometric and astrometric data from Gaia, perform follow-up observations across a global telescope network, and contribute to the BHTOM.space coordination system.

Requirements include a PhD in astronomy/astrophysics, strong Python programming and data visualization skills, and English fluency.

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy/astrophysics required.
• PhD must be obtained within the last 7 years or by employment date.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and analyze photometric and spectroscopic observations of microlensing events identified by Gaia DR4.
• Identify black hole microlensing candidates from Gaia data.
• Perform follow-up observations with the global telescope network and develop the BHTOM.space system.

Skills

Python

Django

CSS

GitHub

Linux

MacOS

English fluency

Education

PhD in astronomy/astrophysics

Job description

Organisation/Company Obserwatorium Astronomiczne UW Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Poland Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number NCN DAINA 2024/52/L/ST9/00210 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We invite applications for a research adjunct position (postdoctoral research equivalent) at the Astronomical Observatory, University of Warsaw, Poland, in an NCN DAINA grant “Polish-Lithuanian black hole hunt - harvest time”. The responsibilities of the selected candidate will include working with the photometric and astrometric data from the Gaia space mission, as well as analysing and conducting the follow-up observations with the global telescope network BHTOM.

The candidates have to conform to the conditions stated in art. 113 of Higher Education Law dated 20.07.2018. (Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland 2024, item 1571 with further amendments).

Requirements

Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Fulfilment of the requirements set out in Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571, consolidated text);
• PhD in astronomy/astrophysics received during the last 7 years (obtained no later than the date of the employment);
• documented research experience in analysis of photometric time-series, in particular with carrying out observations and processing of data from ground-based telescopes;
• good programming and data-visualisation skills, in particular in Python;
• knowledge of Django, CSS, GitHub would be an advantage;
• experience with Linux/MacOS operating systems;
• good publication record in time-domain photometric research
• significant scientific achievements;
• presentation of a plan for future research activities;
• international research experience;
• fluency in written and spoken English.

The responsibilities of the selected candidate will include conducting and analyzing photometric and spectroscopic observations of microlensing events detected by the Gaia space mission. The project aims to identify black hole microlensing candidates based on astrometric data from Gaia Data Release 4 (DR4). Events observed by the BHTOM telescope network between 2014 and 2019 will be subjected to detailed analysis and additional ground-based follow-up observations. As part of the project, the BHTOM.space system, used for coordinating ground-based observations, will also be further developed.

Specific Requirements

PhD in Astronomy/Astrophysics

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

36 labor-days of vacations

Eligibility criteria

• significant scientific achievements (based on the publication list and CV)
• skills and experience matching the job advert.
• experience in working in research teams
• knowledge of English in speech and writing
• presenting a plan for further research activity
• The candidate must meet the requirements specified in the appendix to NCN Council Resolution No. 84/2024 of 5 September 2024 on amendment to the Regulations for granting funds for the implementation of tasks financed by the NCN in the field of research projects:
• The candidate must meet the conditions set by the National Science Centre for persons employed in post-doctoral positions. In particular, a person employed in this position must hold a doctoral degree obtained no earlier than 12 years before to the year of employment in the project. This period does not include breaks related to maternity leave, additional maternity leave, leave on the terms of maternity leave, additional leave on the terms of maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave or childcare leave, granted on the terms specified in the Labor Code, or the receipt of sickness benefit or rehabilitation benefit in connection with incapacity for work, including that caused by an illness requiring medical rehabilitation. In the case of women, the indicated 12-year period may be extended by 18 months for each child born or adopted. A woman may choose a more favorable way of indicating breaks in her academic career.
• Employment will be in accordance with NCN regulations. In particular, the person employed must meet all of the following conditions:
• during the period of receiving this remuneration, they will not receive any other remuneration from funds allocated as direct costs of research projects financed in NCN competitions;
• they will not be a person who has been awarded a doctoral degree by the entity where they are planned to be employed in this position, unless they have completed at least 10 months of continuous and documented postdoctoral training in an entity other than the institution implementing the project and in a country other than the country where the doctoral degree was obtained;
• the project manager was not the supervisor or co-supervisor of their doctoral dissertation;
• during the period of receiving this remuneration, they will not receive remuneration from another employer under an employment contract, including an employer based outside Poland;
• they will be employed for a period of not less than 6 months;

During the period of receiving this salary, they will not receive retirement benefits from the social security system.

Selection process

• Description of a research experience, with an emphasis on the research related to the job offer.
• At least one recommendation letter from a senior researcher sent directly to [e-mail]

The entire procedure will be concluded before December 31, 2025. The candidate might be asked for an interview with the commission appointed by the Dean of the Faculty. The applicants will be notified on the results of the competition by email.

This announcement is the first step in the procedure of employing an academic teacher and its positive result will be a base for consecutive steps.

Additional comments

Information about the Internal Reporting Procedure at the University of Warsaw pursuant to the Act of June 14, 2024 on the procedure for whistleblowers:

The University of Warsaw has a procedure for reporting rights violations - Internal reporting procedure, attached to Ordinance No. 94 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw dated 17 September 2024 on the procedure for whistleblowers reporting cases of law violation at the University of Warsaw and for undertaking follow-up actions, published and available in Monitor UW 2024, item 266.

Number of offers available 2 Company/Institute Astronomical Observatory University of Warsaw Country Poland City Warszawa Postal Code 00-478 Street Aleje Ujazdowskie 4 Geofield