GREAT-ITN Recruitment: INAF (Astronomical Observatory of Bologna and Astronomical Observatory of Padua)

Project Title: Improving the Distance Scale
Contact:
Dr Gisella Clementini (gisella.clementini@oabo.inaf.it)
Further Details: http://www.bo.astro.it and http://yoda.bo.astro.it
Description:
The Gaia satellite will have a dramatic impact on the definition of the cosmic distance scale (DS) providing the direct measure via parallaxes of the local primary distance indicators and, in turn, a direct re-calibration of the secondary distance indicators. The ESR activity will investigate various crucial steps of the cosmic ladder from the very local to the 100Mpc Universe that will greatly benefit from Gaia. This will include main lines of research focusing on: 1) the study of primary distance indicators through observations and models of different types of pulsating stars (most noteworthy Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars) in Galactic and extragalactic systems providing a homogeneous DS for the local Universe, a valuable test for theoretical methods based on stellar evolution theory, and a calibration of secondary, more distant indicators; 2) the study of secondary distance indicators, exploiting the teams expertise in stellar population synthesis methods and photometric techniques.

The project is a collaboration among researchers working on astronomical distances at the Bologna, Napoli and Teramo Observatories. The ESR will take advantage of the INAF facilities available at the three Observatories as well as of national INAF facilities such as the TNG and LBT. The ESR will undertake short term secondments to other nodes in the network. In particular a secondment to the IoA, University of Cambridge, will focus on the correct use and interpretation of the Gaia astrometric and photometric data, with specific application to star clusters and OB associations, and the information that can be derived from Gaia observations of those systems. A secondment to UB will be focused to a deep study of consistency between the potential Gaia distance scale indicators.

The applicants should have achieved a Masters degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics or a related subject (Physics or Mathematics) by the official beginning of the PhD Course at the Bologna University. Basic knowledge of stellar evolution is highly desirable but not mandatory.


The successful candidate will be expected to embark on a PhD programme of study at the Astronomy Department of the Bologna University (http://www.astronomia.unibo.it/Astronomia/default.htm). The PhD programme will last 3 full years, starting on October 2011. The PhD student is expected to follow courses organized by the Astronomy Department of the University of Bologna as well 4 PhD schools over the three years,and to participate to the ITN Workshops. Detailed information (in Italian) on the PhD courses can be found at http://www.astronomia.unibo.it/Astronomia/Ricerca/Dottorati/default.htm

A GREAT-ESF funded international Conference highlighting the main scientific topics of this project will take place in Naples, Italy on May 3-6,2011 (see
http://www.oacn.inaf.it/ESFdistance/ ). Applicants interested in the present ESR position are encouraged to attend the Conference.

For further information contact Gisella Clementini (
gisella.clementini@oabo.inaf.it ), Marcella Marconi (marcella.marconi@oacn.inaf.it) or Enzo Brocato (brocato@oa-teramo.inaf.it ).


Project Title: Open Clusters as Tracers of the Galactic Disk
Contact:
Dr Antonella Vallenari (antonella.vallenari@oapd.inaf.it)
Further Details: http://www.pd.astro.it and http://web.oapd.inaf.it/gaia/jobs.html
Description:
Open clusters (OCs) are important tracers of the young and intermediate-age stellar populations of the Galactic disc and its spiral arms. As ensembles, their distances, ages, and metallicities can be determined with much higher accuracy than those of individual stars, which will remain true also in the Gaia era. Gaia will measure proper motions and distances for individual stars in all Galactic OCs with unprecedented precision. The ESR activity will focus on the study of OCs as tracers of the chemical evolution of the Mikly Way disk obtaining complementary data to the Gaia distances and proper motions (e.g., chemical abundances, radial velocities), developing a new theoretical understanding and practical analysis tools in preparation of the Gaia mission.
The main objectives are to study (1) the homogeneous, detailed chemical composition of OC stars using ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy, (2) the internal kinematics (via radial velocities) and binary fractions, important for cluster modelling. Other interesting subjects can include the study of obscured/ highly reddened OCs possibly associated to stellar overdensities formed by merger remnants, and the determination of ages of the clusters using photometric information and stellar models. This research will give important clues for understanding the formation and the chemical enrichment history of the Milky Way and will also be an ideal test for stellar evolutionary models.
The project is a collaboration between Padova and Bologna Observatories. The ESR will undertake short term secondments to other nodes in the GREAT ITN network.
The applicants should have achieved a Masters degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics or a related subject (Physics or Mathematics) by the official beginning of the PhD Course at the Padova University. Basic knowledge of spectroscopy and/or stellar evolution is highly desirable but not mandatory.

The successful candidate will be expected to embark on a PhD programme of study. The PhD programme lasts 3 full years, starting on October 2011. The graduate student is expected to follow courses organized by the Doctoral School in Astronomy at the University of Padua and to participate to the ITN Workshops.

Detailed information on the PhD courses can be found at http://dipastro.pd.astro.it/inglese/doctorate/dottorandi_en.html

For further information contact Antonella Vallenari (
antonella.vallenari@oapd.inaf.it) or Angela Bragaglia (angela.bragaglia@oabo.inaf.it)

Important Eligibility Information concerning ESRs:

Early-stage researchers are those who are, at the time of selection by the host institution, in the first four years (full time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged. Researchers are normally required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. One general rule applies to the appointment of researchers in a network:

At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account. As far as international European interest organisations or international organisations are concerned, this rule does not apply to the hosting of eligible researchers, however the appointed researcher must not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the selection by the host organisation in the same appointing organisation.