INAF/IRA Fellowship for "Radio high angular resolution properties of gamma-ray sources"

(fellowship code 13/2017/IRA/AR)

This page is intended to provide information in English for people interested in applying to the INAF/IRA fellowship "Radio high angular resolution properties of gamma-ray sources".   We remind that all the official information is given in Italian at http://www.ira.inaf.it/bandi/bandi.html. While the information here should be treated as unofficial guidelines, it should provide sufficient context and help to prepare an application.  For any other information, feel free to email giroletti@ira.inaf.it

The call

Art. 1 - Object of the selection

It is an open selection, based on evaluation of titles and a possible interview, for the project "Radio high angular resolution properties of gamma-ray sources", to be carried out at INAF Istituto di Radioastronomia, under the supervision of Dr. Marcello Giroletti.   The post-doc will carry out a research activity in the field of high angular resolution study of gamma-ray sources. Gamma-ray sources are generally variable, therefore the project will deal with the investigation about the connection between the changes in high energy emission and in the radio images.  Classes of highest relevance in this framework include both active galactic nuclei, blazars in particular, and transient source of various kinds, such as binary stars, gamma ray bursts, and fast radio bursts.  The radio properties will be discussed mainly through the use of high angular resolution VLBI data both from international arrays (VLBA, EVN) and from experiments conducted with the INAF stations in Medicina, Noto, and Sardinia.

The fellow will work full time on this project and can not have other external contracts at the same time.

Art. 2 - Requirements

The formal requirements are as follows: 

- PhD in Astronomy or Physics; or a Master in Astronomy and Physics and three years of documented research activity (i.e. if you have not defended your PhD Thesis yet, but have already done three years of research for it, you can still apply)

- good knowledge of English language

- basic knowledge of Italian language

Other preferential titles are as follows:

- experience in high angular resolution (VLBI) radio data reduction; 

- experience in high energy data analysis.

Art. 3 - Duration of the fellowship and salary

The grant amounts to 28,000 Euros gross per year. This amount is net of burdens to be charged to INAF-IRA and will be paid in deferred monthly instalments. The fellowship is granted for one year and can be renovated (based on availability of funding and evaluation of the research activity). 

Art. 4 - Terms of application

Applications can be prepared by filling in these forms.  Applications should be submitted in one of the two following ways:

1) Certified e-mail ("PEC") to inafirabo@pcert.postecert.it before 19.00 on 15/12/2017; use the subject "Selezione 13/2017/IRA/AR" and include your full name and address.  Normally, only Italian citizens can have a PEC account, so you will really only have the next option:

2) Express courier, with delivery by 15/12/2017; indicate "Selezione 13/2017/IRA/AR" on the envelope and include your full name and address.  

In the application, you will have to indicate:

- First and Last Name

- date and place of birth

- permanent address

- citizenship

- enjoyment of civil and politic rights in your country

- Phd and Master titles (date and institution of award)

- other previous fellowships

- in particular, if you have had "Assegni di Ricerca" from Italian institutions and for how many years (Law 240/2010; if you do not know what that is, it means you are probably ok)

• email address for contact for all matters regarding this application

You will also need to attach

- CV, dated and signed

- a statement about your titles (there is an annex for this)

- list of publications

- any other titles that you deem useful for the evaluation

- list of all the submitted documents

You should also attach copies of the publications.  If you do not want to, you can upload them on a CD-ROM, to be attached too, or add the URL of each paper in the publication list.

Art. 5 - Selection committee and procedure

Applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee appointed by the Director of INAF-IRA, composed of three members from INAF

The selection is based on qualifications, possibly integrated by an interview. At the interview, applicants must exhibit their identity documents unless the interview is being carried out remotely via electronic devices. In the latter case the Selection Committee verifies the applicant’s identity. Applicants selected for the interview will be informed via e-mail. 

The total ranking score is 100 points, of which 70 points is the maximum score for the qualifications and 30 points is the maximum score for the interview. 

Art. 6 - Award of the fellowship

The highest ranked applicant will be notified of the award of the research fellowship via email. S/he must provide a formal declaration of acceptance of the research grant within 15 days of such formal notification. Prior to signing the contract, the selected applicant must also provide a written statement that s/he is not subject to any of the exclusion conditions listed in the Call. We would like the selected applicant to start the activity as soon as possible in 2018.

Art. 7 - Evaluation

Before the expiration of the grant, the fellow and the supervisor will present a research report to the Director.  In case of a positive evaluation, and if funds are available, the fellowship will be renewed.

Art. 8 - Equal opportunities and protection of personal data

INAF observes current laws about equal opportunities and protects personal data.

Art. 9 - Publicity

The call is advertised on IRA and INAF web sites, and other registers. For any information, please contact concorsi@ira.inaf.it

Art. 10 - Applicable regulations

For what not explicitly mentioned in this announcement,  the regulations in force concerning public selection procedures apply.