Departamento de Física y Astronomía

Post-doc position in observational studies of massive stars
at Universidad de Valparaiso, Chile

The Department of Physics and Astronomy of the Universidad de Valparaiso, Chile, invites applications for a postdoctoral position for an observational astronomer in the field of massive stars. The main goal of this project is to improve our knowledge related to the structure of circumstellar disks, formed from material ejected by massive and fast rotating stars, through an integrated observational plus theoretical approach in collaboration with Dr. Lydia Cidale (La Plata, Argentina), Dr. M. Kraus (Ondrejov, Czech Republic) and Dr. M. Borges-Fernandes (Brazil). This work will focus on the analysis of the wind properties and the circumstellar geometry of objects showing the Be or B[e] phenomenon, using mainly data originating from the GEMINI-South facilities. The position is for two years. The starting date should be March 1, 2010.

The successful candidate will have full access to the 10% of Chilean observing time at the international telescopes operating in Chile, as ESO (VLT and La Silla), APEX, Gemini South, SOAR, Magellan, and to the other telescopes at Cerro Tololo and Las Campanas observatories.

Valparaiso is, together with the neighboring town Viña del Mar, the most important urban center of Chile, outside the capital Santiago. It also hosts one of the largest concentrations of Universities in Chile. The Universidad de Valparaiso has recently created a rapidly growing research group in astrophysics which currently numbers seven professors (www.dfa.uv.cl).
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be made to Professor Dr. Michel Cure (michel.cure@uv.cl)

Applicants should send, before Dec. 31, 2009, and by e-mail, their CV, publication list, statement of research interests, and arrange for two letters of recommendation.