The Strasbourg Astronomical Data Centre (Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg, CDS) is opening a postdoctoral position (1 year, renewable) in extragalactic and radio astronomy.

The CDS is an astronomy data centre that is hosted by the Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory in Strasbourg, France. The CDS is dedicated to the collection and distribution of astronomical data and information, and the development of innovative techniques for scientific exploitation of large data sets. The CDS hosts the SIMBAD reference database; the VizieR service for astronomical catalogues and data published in academic journals; the Aladin interactive sky atlas; a fast catalogue cross-matching service and the CDS portal. The CDS also contributes to the development of the Virtual Observatory (For more information see http://cds.unistra.fr).

The postdoctoral position is being opened to support the ingestion and use of radio astronomy data within the CDS services, and to pursue research in extragalactic and radio astronomy. The successful applicant will work with Mark Allen and Bernd Vollmer on topics including (i) JVLA radio continuum observations including polarization of Virgo spiral galaxies, (ii) the modelling of magnetic field evolution with special emphasis on RM cubes, and (iii) the cross-identifcation of radio continuum sources from the CDS VizieR database using the SPECFIND code, (iv) interoperability of radio astronomy data. The work will involve interactions with technical and scientific staff at the CDS, and there are opportunities to collaborate with members of the Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory.

Applicants must possess a Ph.D in astronomy or physics. Experience with interferometric radio observations is required and scientific programming in C is recommended. Support for research and observing travel will be provided. The start date is flexible but is expected to be before 2018.

Applicants are requested to submit a CV, cover letter, statement of research interests, and the names of two professional references to Dr. Mark Allen (mark.allen@astro.unistra.fr) before September 1, 2017. Documents should be sent as PDF files via email with the subject line CDS-RADIO-POSTDOC.

The salary and benefits are set by Strasbourg University and CNRS guidelines.