PhD positions in Cosmology

Position Description

We invite applications for several PhD positions in the cosmology group at IGFAE, in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Successful candidates will develop new theoretical and data analysis tools to test the dark sector and inflation using CMB and galaxy survey data. They will be mentored by Antón Baleato Lizancos, PI of the ERC Starting Grant Project ACCELLENS and La Caixa Junior Leader fellow, and may join the Simons Observatory and/or DESI collaborations.

Description:

The ACCELLENS project seeks to jointly exploit CMB and galaxy surveys to test the inflationary paradigm and the dark sector of the Universe. Gravitational lensing plays a key role in this synergy: it is a powerful probe of late-time physics, particularly in cross-correlation with galaxy clustering, but its impact on CMB polarization observations must be mitigated (i.e. delensed) if we are to detect a signal from primordial gravitational waves. The successful candidate is expected to develop new techniques and carry out analyses of DESI and/or Simons Observatory data in this context. A core aspect of the project will be to extract new cosmological information through improved modeling of extragalactic CMB foreground contributions to CMB lensing reconstructions and joint analyses with galaxy surveys and other observables.

Successful candidates will engage other PhD students and postdocs in the group and will be encouraged to interact also with other members of the lively and fast-growing Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology group at IGFAE. Faculty members in the group include Marta Reina Campos, Juan Calderón Bustillo, Antón Baleato Lizancos, Gonzalo Alonso Álvarez and Jaime Álvarez Muñiz, with active research programs in galaxy and star formation, gravitational waves, CMB & large-scale structure, dark matter and particle cosmology, and involvement in LIGO, Pierre Auger, DESI and the Simons Observatory.

Contracts will be for four years with a nominal but flexible start date of September 1st 2027.

Requirements:

Applicants should have:

• a Master’s degree in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related discipline by the start of the position;
• solid programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, or similar languages);
• good written and spoken English.

Candidates with experience in theoretical or observational cosmology, statistical inference, and analysis of numerical simulations and/or large datasets are especially encouraged to apply, though strong applicants whose primary expertise is in other areas will also be considered.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following documents through AcademicJobsOnline:

• A CV;
• academic transcripts;
• a brief motivation letter describing their background and interest in the position (limited to 2 pages not including references);
• two to three reference letters.

To ensure full consideration, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by December 15th, 2026. Late applications may be considered until all positions are filled.

About IGFAE:

IGFAE (https://igfae.usc.es) is a joint research institute of the University of Santiago de Compostela and the Xunta de Galicia. The institute has been awarded both the “María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence” and “Rede CIGUS” distinctions, recognizing its international scientific excellence. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups in terms of gender identity, ethnic or social origin, disability, or any other characteristic. The selected candidate will benefit from access to state-of-the-art high-performance computing facilities, active international collaborations, and dedicated support for participation in conferences and workshops. Santiago de Compostela is a medium-sized city with very high quality of life. As the capital of the Galicia region of Spain, it boasts a dynamic social and cultural scene combined with easy access to nature. It also enjoys good connectivity through its international airport and high-speed train service.