Postdoctoral positions at FINCA

Postdoctoral positions available at FINCA

Finnish Centre for Astronomy with ESO (FINCA) is a national research institute in Finland, with headquarters in the University of Turku. It takes care of Finnish co-operation with the European Southern Observatory (ESO); practises and co-ordinates high quality astronomical research, and technological development work related to ESO; participates in researcher training; and promotes co-operation of Finnish universities in astronomy.

Applications are invited for 1-2 postdoctoral researcher positions at FINCA to work on ESO-related activities. The work place of the positions can be any of the participating universities of FINCA (Aalto, Helsinki, Oulu or Turku).

The start of employment is negotiable, but earliest on 1 September 2021 and latest on 31 December 2021. The appointments are for a period of three years, with a trial period of six months.

Postdocs are expected to pursue their own independent research program, in one of the areas related to FINCA’s main research themes, participate in teaching, and supervise undergraduate or graduate students. FINCA's current areas of research (including those of participating universities; see links at the bottom of the FINCA WWW front page) cover a large range in contemporary astronomy, from observational cosmology, active galaxies, and galaxy formation and evolution, through studies of the structure, kinematics, stellar populations and star formation of nearby galaxies, to astrophysical transients, supernovae and their host galaxies, binary stars, stellar magnetic activity, interstellar medium, star formation, and planetary studies.

The positions require a PhD in astronomy or a closely related subject. Experience in observational astronomy with large international facilities is essential and experience with ESO an advantage. The applicant must have completed her or his doctorate before the application deadline but no more than five years before that date.

The salary is determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. The salary is at levels 4-6 on the job demands chart, where the task specific salary component is 2563,09–3460,91 euro per month. In addition, a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal work performance component is 6 % - 50 % of the task specific salary component. Depending on qualifications, the starting gross salary is within the range of 3 264,62 – 3 3442,69 € per month.

For more information, contact the director of FINCA, prof. Jari Kotilainen, tel. +358 29 450 4516, e-mail: jarkot at utu.fi.

The deadline for applications is November 30, 2020. Applications are submitted electronically, via the link in the University of Turku recruitment pages http://www.utu.fi/careers/

Applications in English must include as attachments a CV, a list of publications, a PhD certificate or other proof of fulfilling all requirements for the degree, and an ESO-related research plan (max. 4 pages) describing research interests and future plans. Letters of recommendation from at least two referees familiar with the applicant's work must be arranged to be sent by e-mail to the director of FINCA: jarkot at utu.fi by the application deadline. Selection of the candidates will be based on research accomplishments, promise of future achievement, and relevance to FINCA research. We encourage applications from candidates irrespective of nationality, gender, or background.