Fifth call. MOSAIC and StarDance: development of science cases on exotic stellar populations and star clusters

Topics: Search and chemical/physical characterization of exotic stellar populations in star clusters, in the framework of the StarDance project, including interacting binaries and mergers, lithium-rich stars, and multiple populations in globular clusters. Employment of photometric and spectroscopic instrumentation with a focus on the MOSAIC precursors, such as 2D or multi-object spectrographs (e.g., FLAMES, MUSE). Development of science cases on the mentioned themes in limiting conditions such as crowded stellar fields and faint objects. Support to the development of other MOSAIC science cases on resolved stellar populations. 

Candidates with at least one of the following will be preferred:

(i) documented experience and expertise on stellar evolution, 

(ii) documented experience and expertise on stellar photometry and spectroscopy techniques, 

(iii) documented experience and expertise in the study of stellar clusters, 

(iv) documented experience and expertise in the study of binary stars and exotic stellar populations such as blue stragglers, lithium-rich stars, or multiple populations in globular clusters,

(v) documented experience and expertise in the use of spectroscopic instrumentation. 

Find here the complete text of the call (in Italian), with all annexes and forms. 

The net monthly salary is about 2000€. The contract duration is of 2 years, renewable up to 4 years.

Deadline for applications: 27 May 2024 at 23:59 (CET). Start of contract expected within 2024.

For more information and for help in preparing the application forms, please do not hesitate to contact elena . pancino [at] inaf . it

Fourth call. Three Ph.D. positions on the StarDance themes at the University of Florence, with the titles:

1. Ricerca e caratterizzazione di stelle binarie in ammassi stellari per mezzo di serie temporali fotometriche e grandi survey fotometriche, spettroscopiche e astrometriche (Search and characterization of binary stars in star clusters by means of photometric time series and photometric, spectroscopic, and astrometric large surveys)

2. La rotazione stellare per lo studio di popolazioni esotiche in ammassi stellar (Stellar rotation for the study of exotic stellar populations in star clusters)

3. Analisi della chimica superficiale di stelle distorte dalla rotazione veloce o dall’interazione in sistemi binari stretti (Surface chemistry analysis of stars distorted by fast stellar rotation or by interaction in close binary systems)

More details on the available positions can be found on this factsheet, results and other useful documents here: https://www.unifi.it/it/node/6732

The deadline for applications is the 13th of June at 12:00 (CEST)

For more information and for help in preparing the application, do not hesitate to contact elena . pancino [at] inaf . it

Third call. One position for MOSAIC@ELT:
Support activities for the Science Team 

Topics: Support activities for the preparation of the science cases for MOSAIC, by means of simulations with the available tools for the collaboration (in particular, the ETC) and by developing new scripts when necessary. Use of data obtained with precursor instruments, such as for example MUSE, for feasibility studies, both on the scientific and technological side, especially concerning the activities of the SWG4&5 “Resolved stellar populations in and around the Milky Way and the Local Group”. In particular, exploration of extreme conditions such as faint objects, crowded stellar fields, or analysis of spectra with weak or blended features. Technical support to the preparation activities of the observing proposals which will be the basis for the definition of the public and GTO surveys, for the Italian science team members of all WGs, both stellar and extragalactic. 

Find here the complete text of the call (in Italian), with all annexes and forms. An English summary of the call can be found here.

The net monthly salary is about 2000€. The contract duration is of 1 year, renewable up to 4 years.

Deadline for applications: 2 February 2024 at 23:59 (CET). Start of contract expected by May 2024, but extensions can be granted in case of necessity.

For more information and help in preparing the application forms, please do not hesitate to contact elena . pancino [at] inaf . it

Second call. Two new StarDance positions:
Simulations of binary star populations in star clusters 

Topics: The post-docs will focus on one or both the following aspects:

1. Study of the structural, kinematic, and dynamics properties of binary star populations – in particular close or interacting binaries – in star clusters, using both data (photometric, spectroscopic, astrometric) and simulations or theoretical modeling. Correlation of the properties of binary populations with the properties of the host star clusters, including the presence and properties of multiple populations in old star clusters.

2. Theoretical study of the evolution of binary, triple, and multiple  interacting stars– both single systems and populations – in the dynamical environment of star clusters. Study of the predicted structural and surface chemistry modifications caused by stellar interactions, with special attention to the evolutionary paths that could lead to the chemistry of multiple populations in old and intermediate age globular clusters.

Find here the complete text of the call (in Italian), with all annexes and forms. An English summary of the call can be found here. 

The net monthly salary is about 2000€. The contract duration is of 2 years, renewable up to 4 years.

Deadline for applications: 2 February 2024 at 23:59 (CET). Start of contract expected by May 2024, but extensions can be granted in case of necessity.

For more information and help in preparing the application forms, please do not hesitate to contact elena . pancino [at] inaf . it

First call. Three new StarDance positions:
Search, characterization, chemistry, and dynamics of the binary star population and of multiple populations in star clusters 

Topics: search and characterization of binary stars, study of their physical, chemical, and kinematic properties, in the environment of star clusters and in comparison with the properties of binaries in the Milky Way field population and in the Local Group. In particular:

1. use of different photometric, spectroscopic, astrometric, and machine learning techniques to identify binary stars and to derive their fundamental properties; use of the same techniques to study exotic stellar populations such as blue stragglers, extended main sequence turnoffs, lithium rich stars, hot subdwarfs, hot horizontal branch stars;

2. study of the surface chemistry of distorted stars, with distorted line profiles because of fast stellar rotation, interaction with companions, or other non-canonical effects; if needed, development of dedicated software;

3. study of the characteristics of multiple populations in globular clusters, correlation of their properties with the global properties of the clusters or the surrounding environment, correlation with the binary or exotic stellar populations present in the same environment. 

Find here the complete text of the call (in Italian), with all annexes and forms. An English summary of the call can be found here. 

The net monthly salary is about 2000€. The contract duration is of 2 years, renewable up to 4 years.

Deadline for applications: 2 February 2024 at 23:59 (CET). Start of contract expected by May 2024, but extensions can be granted in case of necessity.

For more information and help in preparing the application forms, please do not hesitate to contact elena . pancino [at] inaf . it