Postdoc position (Gaia Mission): Max Planck Institute for Astronomy 1125 views

The Max Planck Institute for Astronomy is seeking a postdoctoral researcher (m/f/d) to analyse data from the Gaia mission, a flagship European Space Agency project to map billions of objects in the universe. The successful applicant will join the international Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC), where they will become responsible for classifying objects using machine learning methods, based on photometry, astrometry, and low resolution spectroscopy. The starting date will be 1^st January 2022. The position is funded by the German Space Agency (DLR) for three years.

Role and responsibilities:

• maintaining and extending existing algorithms and software,
• improving classification models and implementing new functionality,
• analysing and interpreting results,
• contributing to the production of the Gaia catalogues and other data products,
• exploiting results and writing scientific articles.

Requirements:

• Candidates with a PhD in Astronomy, Physics, or a related subject (with some astronomy experience), who have strong skills in both programming and machine learning.
• The DPAC software is written in Java, which candidates should either know or be willing to learn rapidly.
• Experience working with large (astronomical) data sets is a plus.
• Candidate will work closely with other people in the MPIA Gaia Group and in the DPAC, so good team-working skills are important.

Applications:

Apply online and applicant should provide the following:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Publication list
• Statement of relevant research and software development experience (two-page)
• 03 letters of reference