Summary
The Institute of Astrophysics (IA) at the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Greece, invites applications for two Postdoctoral Researcher positions under the European Research Council (ERC)-funded project SMILE – Search for Milli-lenses to Discriminate Between Dark Matter Models.
Two Postdoctoral Researcher Positions in Radio VLBI Data Analysis and Gravitational Milli-Lensing – Institute of Astrophysics, FORTH, Greece
The selected researchers will work on radio Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data calibration, imaging, and analysis of multi-wavelength datasets to identify and investigate gravitational milli-lens candidates at milliarcsecond scales.
The project offers an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in astrophysics, gravitational lensing, and dark matter models. The positions are initially available for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for up to two years based on satisfactory performance.
Key Details:
- Number of Positions: 2
- Monthly Salary: €3,000 gross
- Starting Date: 1 January 2027
- Initial Duration: 12 months (renewable up to 2 years)
- Funding: European Research Council (ERC), Horizon Europe
Designation
Postdoctoral Researcher (2 Positions)
Research Area
- Astrophysics
- Radio Astronomy
- Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI)
- Gravitational Lensing and Milli-Lensing
- Dark Matter Models
- Radio Data Calibration, Imaging and Analysis
- Python Programming
- Automated Image Processing and Source Classification
Location
Institute of Astrophysics (IA), Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Eligibility/Qualification
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- PhD Degree: A PhD in Astrophysics, Physics, or a related field is mandatory at the start of the employment contract.
- VLBI Expertise: Demonstrated experience in VLBI data calibration, imaging, and analysis (80% of the evaluation criteria).
- Python Programming: Experience in Python coding (10% of the evaluation criteria).
- Communication Skills: Excellent communication and collaboration skills (10% of the evaluation criteria).
Job Description
The selected candidates will contribute to the SMILE project, which focuses on searching for gravitational lens systems at milliarcsecond scales (milli-lenses).
Key responsibilities include:
- Exploring automated methods in image and visibility planes to classify multi-component radio sources and identify potential milli-lens candidates.
- Investigating imaging algorithms beyond CLEAN and Dog-HIT, which are already used within the SMILE project.
- Testing the performance of different imaging algorithms to generate automated images for approximately 5,000 sources in the SMILE survey sample.
- Searching for and conducting follow-up observations of milli-lens candidates identified through the main SMILE survey.
- Analysing observational data and contributing to the scientific objectives of the SMILE project.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates must submit their applications by email to:
Email: info@ia.forth.gr
CC: Dr. Carolina Casadio – ccasadio@ia.forth.gr
The application must include:
- Application Form: Download the application form from the official IA-FORTH Employment Opportunities webpage.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Including a list of publications.
- Research Statement: A half-page statement outlining the applicant’s research background.
Reference Letters: Not required at the initial application stage. They will be requested only from shortlisted candidates.
For questions regarding the position and research activities, contact Dr. Carolina Casadio at ccasadio@ia.forth.gr.
For application and selection-related queries, contact info@ia.forth.gr or call +30 2810-394200.
Last Date for Apply
25 November 2026, 23:59 (Greece local time).
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
