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Post-doctoral Positions - under following projects
(1) AstroSat Science Support Cell (ASSC):
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at the ISRO-sponsored AstroSat Science Support Cell (ASSC) which is hosted at IUCAA. The candidate is required to have expertise in AstroSat data analysis. The position involves spending 50% of the time in ASSC activities which include managing the helpdesk, updating and maintenance of the webpage, conducting webinars and workshops and others. The rest of the time may be utilized for the person's own research, which preferably should involve some AstroSat analysis. The position is subject to availability of funds.
For more details contact: Prof. Ranjeev Misra
(2) Gas-galaxy co-evolution using optical/NIR spectroscopy and imaging:
The postdoc will work with archival data from the Very Large Telescope (e.g., MUSE, HAWK-I) and the Hubble Space Telescope (e.g., WFC3) to study gas-galaxy co-evolution. The project involves reducing optical spectroscopic and NIR photometric data of galaxies, and using these to derive the properties of galaxies through spectral energy distribution modeling. The derived galaxy properties will be used to study various galaxy scaling relations and their dependence on stellar mass and galaxy environment. For a subset of the sample, the galaxy properties will be connected with the properties of the diffuse gas in the circumgalactic medium. Expertise in the following areas is required: (a) optical/NIR imaging and spectroscopy; (b) spectral energy distribution modeling.
For more details contact: Prof. Rajeshwari Dutta
(3) Gravitational Wave Astronomy:
The primary aim will be to develop analysis strategies and assess science potential for the present and future gravitational wave detectors. Gravitational wave Astronomy is a broad area of research which has several open scientific questions. The exact projects will be decided based on the interest and expertise of the postdoctoral fellow and the involved faculty member. The candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to activities directly relevant to the planned LIGO-India detector.
For more details contact: Prof. Sanjit Mitra
(4) Gravitational Wave Instrumentation:
Applications are invited for postdoctoral positions in Gravitational Wave (GW) Detector Physics and Instrumentation related to LIGO-India. IUCAA is engaged in major activities for the LIGO-India mega-science project and works on various aspects of GW detector technology development and site preparation. Candidates with experience in any of the following experimental physics or engineering domains, such as, GW instrumentation, noise hunting in electro-mechanical systems, detector related data-analysis, laser stabilisation, Michelson and Fabry-Perot interferometry, instrumentation related to seismic isolation, modelling coupled optical cavities and interferometers, MIMO control systems and related fields are encouraged to apply.
For more details contact: Prof. Sanjit Mitra
(5) High-redshift galaxies in the Hubble Frontier Fields and GOODS field:
Hubble Frontier Fields (HFF) and GOODS fields provide a unique opportunity to study the nature of high-redshift galaxies. These fields contain deep optical, IR observations from HST, Spitzer, MUSE/IFU and has been recently observed with JWST. Deep UV observations from AstroSat will provide a direct measurement of the recent star formation, identification of young galaxies (combined with IFU spectra), possible identification of galaxies leaking ionizing photons as well as constraining the UV luminosity function.
Successful candidate will have opportunity to work in any of these areas or more. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of photometry, spectroscopy and a basic understanding of astronomical software such as IRAF, GALFIT and python coding
For more details contact: Prof. Kanak Saha
(6) High-resolution spectroscopy and chemical abundance analysis:
The project is focussed on high-resolution spectroscopy of pulsating variable stars to probe their chemistry through abundance analysis. We will utilize high-resolution spectra of classical and type II Cepheids, RR Lyrae, and Mira variable stars from several state-of-the-art facilities UVES@VLT, HRS@SALT, ESPaDOns@CFHT to investigate a wide range of topics from radial metallicity gradient in the Milky Way to quantify the effect of composition on evolutionary and pulsation properties of these variable stars. The applicant should have previous experience in stellar spectroscopy, and metallicity and abundance determinations, data analysis, and programming skills to handle large volume of time-series spectroscopic datasets.
For more details contact: Prof. Anupam Bhardwaj
(7) IUCAA Rubin LSST:
IUCAA is an international contributor for the Vera Rubin Observatorys Legacy Survey of Space and Time, an ambitious program to conduct a 10-year multiband imaging survey using a 6.5m class wide field telescope. The LSST will deliver a large database of images and derived data products which can address a variety of questions about the transient as well as the static Universe. The Rubin LSST science collaborations include the Dark Energy Science Collaboration, the Transient and Variable Stars Science Collaboration, the Galaxies Science Collaboration and the Strong Lensing Science Collaboration. IUCAA would like to hire a postdoctoral scholar to be embedded within one of these collaborations under the supervision of IUCAA Rubin LSST Principal investigators.
The successful candidate(s) would obtain data rights to proprietary LSST data for the 2 year duration of the position and would carry out infrastructure work for these science collaborations in an area related to their expertise. Although a significant percentage (at least 50 percent) of the effort of the postdoctoral scholar will be directable by Rubin LSST, there will be ample opportunity for independent research work. Research experience in any of the areas of interest to the science collaboration is expected. Software carpentry skills are essential, and familiarity with the use of software repositories will be an added advantage.
For more details contact: Prof. Surhud More
(8) Intergalactic medium (IGM) and circumgalactic medium (CGM):
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position to work with Prof. Sowgat Muzahid on research topics focused on the intergalactic medium (IGM) and circumgalactic medium (CGM). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on high-quality spectroscopic data collected from some of the world's leading astronomical facilities, including the Very Large Telescope (VLT) with its Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) and Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES), as well as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS). This position offers a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research on the properties of gas in and around galaxies and clusters of galaxies, helping to unravel key questions in galaxy evolution, gas accretion, feedback, and the role of the IGM/CGM in regulating these processes. Familiarity with these instruments, particularly with data obtained from MUSE, will be highly advantageous. Candidates should possess a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field, with a strong background in observational astronomy and data analysis. Applications should include a cover letter, a brief summary of previous research (1-page max), a statement of current research interests (2 pages max), and a curriculum vitae including a list of publications in a single pdf file.
For more details contact: Prof. Sowgat Muzahid
(9) MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS):
Survey webpage: http://mals.iucaa.in
The MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS; PI: N. Gupta) is one of the ten large surveys being carried out with the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. The MeerKAT array consists of 64 dishes with 13.5m dishes, designed to achieve high sensitivity and imaging dynamic range. The MALS is allocated 1655 hrs of MeerKAT time to carry out the most sensitive search of HI and OH absorption lines at 0<z<2, the redshift range over which most of the evolution in the star formation rate density takes place. The key science themes of the survey are: (1) Evolution of atomic and molecular gas in galaxies and relationship with star formation rate density, (2) Fuelling of active galactic nucleus (AGN), AGN feedback and dust-obscured AGNs, (3) Variation of fundamental constants of physics, (4) Evolution of magnetic fields in galaxies, and (5) Physical modeling of the ISM, Astrochemistry and Cosmology. Due to the excellent sensitivity of the MeerKAT telescope, MALS is also delivering an extremely sensitive HI 21-cm emission, radio continuum and polarization survey to address a wide range of issues at the forefront of galaxy evolution research. The detailed survey design and current status are available at: http://mals.iucaa.in.
For MALS postdoctoral fellowship, we are looking for candidates with experience in observational astronomy. Demonstrated expertise in radio astronomy techniques and experience in programming languages such as C/C++ and Python are highly desirable. The main responsibility of the successful candidate will be to work closely with the MALS team on (i) automated processing of MALS data to generate science-ready continuum images and spectral line cubes, and (ii) automated source finding to generate catalogs. The infrastructure for automated processing of data and public data releases are in place. The candidate will use these and also participate in the development of new tools and techniques required for the project. It is expected that the candidate will utilize this opportunity to develop and lead research projects based on MALS datasets.
For more details contact: Prof. Neeraj Gupta
(10) Neutron star modelling and Gravitational Wave data analysis:
One of the diverse interests of the NSGW group @ IUCAA is to probe extreme matter properties with the help of gravitational waves from neutron stars (NS).
Selected candidates will get an opportunity to work on developing models for NSs as GW sources and to look for signatures in GW data.
We are looking for candidates interested in the following:
- To look for signatures of NS internal composition & phase transitions in post-merger GW spectrum
- Incorporating state-of-the-art realistic Equation of State (EoS) models into parameter estimation
- Use NS composition & EoS for motivating choice of priors for physics inference by data analysis
- Designing searches in real GW data
- Reanalyse past models for possible improvements
- Prepare for constraining EoS parameters from possible GW measurements in future searches
The candidates will have an exciting exposure to work in collaboration within a large international GW community.
For more details contact: Prof. Debarati Chatterjee
(11) Optical fiber based distributed acoustic sensing:
The present gravitational wave detector sensitivities are majorly limited by acoustic noise isolation, which necessitates the development of active acoustic noise cancellation technology. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) using an underground laid optical fiber shall replace the seismometer array and have a much more extensive coverage area. The DAS has a wide range of applications, including active noise cancellation of the gravitational wave detectors and also for long-range seismometry, seismic noise monitoring, early warning of tsunami / volcanic eruption, early detection of cracks in flyover, surveillance of unwanted underground activities which fall out of the visual range of satellites and many more. We are particularly interested in developing this technology for its application in the 3rd generation gravitational wave detectors. At IUCAA, we are working on a novel approach to realizing the DAS, and we already have initial results on seismic wave detection. Under the scope of this position, the selected candidate is expected to upgrade and fine-tune the developed DAS technology. For these, hands-on expertise in optics, opto-mechanics, optoelectronics, and servo locking will be essential. For any further technical query or discussion about the project or lab visit, interested candidates may feel free to contact Prof. Subhadeep De (subhadeep@iucaa.in), principal investigator of this project.
For more details contact: Prof. Subhadeep De
(12) SUIT Project:
The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) (http://suit.iucaa.in), one of the seven payloads on board Aditya-L1, launched on Sep 02, 2023. We have a fully functional payload operation centre at IUCAA. We have recently completed the payload verification phase and entered into the science phase of the mission. The payload team invites applications for a post-doctoral position to work on the observations recorded by SUIT. The roles and responsibilities will include calibrating the data and using that data to study various solar phenomena. Moreover, the successful candidate will take the lead in arranging the science meeting of the SUIT’s larger team members and provide overall leadership to junior members working in the payload operation centre. The successful candidate will work with the Principal Investigators of SUIT namely Prof. Durgesh Tripathi and Prof. A. N. Ramaprakash.
For more details contact: Prof. Durgesh Tripathi
(13) Solar Astrophysics:
The solar physics group at IUCAA invites applications for a post-doctoral position to study the dynamic coupling of the solar atmosphere. The successful candidate will have experience with multi-wavelength data analysis. The successful candidate will use the observations recorded by the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) on board the Aditya-L1 mission in conjunction with those taken by IRIS, SDO, and Solar Orbiter. Note that IUCAA is the PI Institute of SUIT. Experience with MHD simulations and or using AI/ML in astronomy will be a plus. The candidate will work with Prof. Durgesh Tripathi and other members of the group.
For more details contact: Prof. Durgesh Tripathi
(14) Spectral and timing analysis of X-ray binaries and AGN:
The postdoctoral fellow will work with Prof. Ranjeev Misra on spectral and temporal analysis of X-ray binaries and/or Active Galactic Nuclei. The projects will involve using the spectral information to model the energy dependent temporal properties of these sources. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in AstroSat data analysis. The postdoctoral fellow will also be involved in teaching and collaborating with Ph.D. students.
For more details contact: Prof. Ranjeev Misra
(15) Stellar variability and distance indicators in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies:
The project will utilize time-series optical and near-infrared photometric data of variable stars in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies tracing their morphology, formation, and evolution. For this purpose, we will analyze multi-wavelength datasets of distance indicators such as classical Cepheids, RR Lyrae, Tip of the red giant branch, AGB stars in nearby dwarf galaxies - Draco, Sextens, Fornax, Sculptor, Ursa Minor obtained with CFHT, VST, Gemini, and VLT telescopes, and complement these datasets with archival data from time-domain surveys such as Gaia and ZTF. The applicant should have previous experience in massive time-series photometric data reduction, data mining, data analytics and machine-learning applications.
For more details contact: Prof. Anupam Bhardwaj
