Organisation/Company: Centrum Badan Kosmicznych PAN – Research Field: Astronomy – Positions: PhD – Country: Poland – Application Deadline: 23 Jan 2026 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) – Type of Contract: Temporary – Job Status: Full-time – Hours Per Week: 40 – Offer Starting Date: 2 Feb 2026 – Funding: Not funded by a EU programme – Reference Number: WR.110.K.6.2024 – Research Infrastructure: No.

Offer Description

The Space Research Centre PAS is the only institute in Poland whose activities are related to research of the Earth and Solar System bodies, using space and satellite technologies.

In connection with the conducted research project “Advancing Solar Flare Diagnostics: Bragg X-ray Spectrometry as a Tool for Flaring Plasma Dynamics Studies”, funded by the Polish National Science Center (NCN) we are currently looking for candidates for the position: Postdoctoral Researcher.

Where to apply

E-mail: rekrutacja@cbk.waw.pl

Requirements

Research Field: Astronomy.

Education Level: PhD or equivalent.

• PhD in astrophysics, physics or equivalent;
• Extensive knowledge of solar flare physics;
• Extensive experience in the analysis of astronomical data (images and spectra) from X-ray and UV/EUV instruments;
• Documented experience in designing Bragg spectrometer optics, including analysis and modeling of their parameters;
• Experience in performing ray-tracing simulations (preferably in the XOP environment) for X-ray instruments, especially those designed for space applications;
• Programming skills – preferred languages include IDL, Python, or equivalent environments commonly used for data analysis and optical simulations;
• Knowledge of statistical analysis methods;
• Proficiency in English sufficient for reading scientific literature and communicating in an international environment;
• Commitment to research work, critical thinking skills, and the ability to work in a team.

Languages: English – Excellent.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the project “Advancing Solar Flare Diagnostics: Bragg X-ray Spectrometry as a Tool for Flaring Plasma Dynamics Studies” at the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK PAN) led by Prof. Janusz Sylwester.
• Conduct ray-tracing simulations using the XOP package, analyzing and evaluating the optical parameters of Bragg crystals.
• Develop a software tool for defining and optimizing the geometry of the X-ray spectrometer.
• Support work related to developing the concept of the planned instrument and modeling its spectral response; participate in defining science cases and selecting target spectral lines for observation.
• Write two scientific papers as the first author.

Terms of Employment

• Gross salary of 9,770 PLN/month.
• Period of employment: 48 months starting from 2 Feb 2026 (date to be negotiated).
• Place of work: Wrocław, SRC PAS, Kopernika 11. Stationary work is the basic form of realization of tasks.

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions specified in the Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences (Chapter 8 Employees of scientific units and other organizational units of the Academy).

The successful candidate will be selected in an open competition conducted in accordance with the provisions of the “Regulations for Awarding Scientific Fellowships in Research Projects Financed from NCN Funds” (NCN Council Resolution 25/2019 of March 14, 2019). The candidate must meet the requirements specified in these Regulations.

All applicants will be equally considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Selection Process

Required documents:

• CV (max. 1 page).
• Information on scientific achievements, including publications, participation in research projects, conferences, awards, distinctions, scholarships, research experience in Poland or abroad, training courses and certificates.
• Motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
• Copy of the PhD diploma with supplements.
• Contact details of an independent researcher for reference purposes.

Documents should be sent electronically (message title “WR.110.K.6.2025”) in PDF format only to: rekrutacja@cbk.waw.pl. Selected candidates will be interviewed remotely by the selection committee. It is possible that the post may not be filled in case there is no candidate of suitable competence; the competition may be cancelled at any time.

Additional Clauses

Please include the following clause: I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents provided by me to the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences, based in Warsaw at 18A ul. Bartycka, 00-716, for the purposes of the recruitment process… (GDPR clause).

If you wish to participate in future recruitment processes, please include the following clause: I consent to the processing of my personal data by SRC PAS in future recruitment processes for a period of two years from the date of my application.

Contact

Prof. Janusz Sylwester (project manager, Solar Physics Division, Space Research Center PAS), via email: rekrutacja@cbk.waw.pl.

End of offer: January 23, 2026.

Anticipated start date of employment: February 2, 2026.

Data Protection Notice

The Administrator of the personal data is the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its seat in Warsaw (00-716), at 18A Bartycka Street. Personal data are processed for the purpose of the recruitment process… (summary of GDPR notice).

Number of offers available: 1