Post-doctoral position in gamma-ray astronomy

Contact: Isabelle Grenier ([email protected])

Deadline: June 27 2025

Selection: July 2025

Starting date: October or November 2025

Laboratory web site: https://irfu.cea.fr/dap/en/

Requirements: PhD, background in gamma-ray astronomy or signal processing

Competences: data analysis and statistics

The Astrophysics Department at CEA Paris-Saclay (located 25 km southwest of Paris) invites applications for a 2-year postdoctoral position starting in autumn. The successful candidate will work on improving the Galactic interstellar emission model for Fermi LAT observations (https://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov).

Above 50 MeV, the gamma-ray sky is dominated by diffuse emission resulting from cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar gas and radiation fields in the Milky Way. Accurate modelling of this bright, structured background is crucial for studying other gamma-ray sources (https://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov/ssc/data/access/lat/BackgroundModels.html). The current model requires significant enhancements to match the current precision of the LAT sky maps.

To help bring the diffuse model to a higher level of accuracy we are seeking a candidate with expertise in

- gamma-ray data analyses (with Fermi LAT or other telescopes, preferably for extended sources)

- and/or advanced signal processing techniques (e.g. source detection above complex backgrounds, component separation using neural networks, or wavelet or scattering transforms).

Opportunities to pursue scientific investigations using the improved model will also be available in collaboration with Saclay researchers and the international Fermi LAT Collaboration.

The position is funded for 2 years by the French space agency. The net salary after tax deduction is about 2000 euros/month, including medical insurance. The laboratory offers a lively and active research environment of the highest international standards in observational, theoretical, and applied astrophysics.