ERC-funded Studentship in KMOS Data processing and exploitation

Offer Description

One studentship position on the reduction and validation of near-infrared integral-field spectroscopic observations is offered. The student will join the research group funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant CLEVeR (The CLuster and group Environment as Viewed by eROSITA), led by Paola Popesso, at the ESO Headquarters in Garching, Germany.

The CLEVeR project investigates the role of environment in shaping galaxy evolution across cosmic time, exploiting large multi-wavelength surveys and spectroscopic observations to study galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and feedback processes across a wide range of cosmic environments. The student will contribute to the scientific exploitation of the KMOS archival data as part of the EMPOWER (Emission line Mapping of galaxy POpulations in the cosmic Web Envi Ronment) Consortium.

The successful candidate will work primarily on the reduction, calibration, validation, and quality assessment of KMOS SAF observations to combine the available data with the first survey tier of EMPOWER. The work will include the production of science-ready data products through the ESO KMOS data reduction pipeline, quality control of reduced data cubes, verification of calibration products, and preparation of datasets for subsequent scientific analysis.

The student will collaborate closely with members of both the EMPOWER and CLEVeR teams and will be fully integrated into the ESO scientific environment.

The position is funded for a duration of 6 months, with a preferred starting date between September and October 2026. Salary will be in line with typical ESO Fellow salaries. The position includes the benefits as outlined under https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Applicants must have a Master degree in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or a related discipline.

Experience with scientific programming (e.g. Python), Linux/Unix environments, and astronomical data analysis is expected.

Familiarity with spectroscopic data reduction and integral-field spectroscopy is desirable.

Experience in the reduction and processing of KMOS observations is highly appreciated and will be considered a significant advantage.

The position includes benefits as outlined under https://.

European Southern Observatory, Garching bei München, 85748 Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 2, Germany.