Post-doctoral position to work on LST and CTA

POST DOCTORAL OFFER - Analysis of the first LST data and study of GRBs CTA 

This project focus on the study of extra-galactic transient sources with CTA. Beyond their interest as astrophysics sources, flaring active galaxy nuclei or gamma-ray burst are very promising probes for fundamental physics (Lorentz Invariance Violation, extragalactic background light…). The observation and study of GRBs is now of prime importance in the domain. The recent detection of several GRBs by H.E.S.S. and MAGIC opened a new window in VHE gamma-ray astronomy. Same applies for Virgo/LIGO whose detectors is now sending regular GW alerts from various kind of binary systems. 

The first CTA large telescope is operational since the beginning of 2020 and will bring additional detection capabilities in the VHE gamma-ray domain. LST-1 has already collected data on several persistent sources as well as transient objects. The project consists in participating in the follow-up of the first alerts, the scientific animation of the transient working group as well as the analysis of the first data of LST-1

The Astro-gamma group of the LAPP is involved in the transient working group of the LST. The group is in charge of the transient handler system and also work on the data analysis and on the transient group coordination.

The successful candidate will be member of the Astro-gamma group of the LAPP and will participate to the activity of the group. The candidate will be member of the CTA collaboration and will have an important implication in the LST. 
1) The first observations and alert follow-up with the first LST started mid of 2020. The candidate will take part of the commissioning of the telescope and assume a leading role in the analysis of the first data and the very first alert follow-up. 

2) The CTA group at LAPP is deeply involved in the development of data analysis tools. The candidate can contribute to the test and optimisation of the tools in the frame of LST1 data. The LAPP team is involved in the setup of novel analysis technics based on the Depp-Learning. The candidate would be able to participate to this development. 

3) CTA will re-act to alert sent by different instruments: X-ray and Gamma-ray telescopes, Neutrino telescopes and also Gravitational waves (GW) alerts from Virgo/Ligo. In particular, the candidate might integrate the CTA/Virgo working group at LAPP. The candidate can take the responsibility to maintain and upgrade the transient handler system of the LST, in particular to better react to the future GW alters sent during O4 by LIGO/Virgo.

SKILLS

Due to the multiple and ambitious aspects of this project, the successful applicant should already count on a solid background in high-energy astroparticle physics. An experience in VHE gamma-ray astronomy will be a plus. 

Desired work experience: less than 2 years after the PhD

Applicants must:
- Apply on the CNRS Job Portal https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres.aspx : submit a cover letter explaining their interest in the position and a detailed curriculum vitae (containing a description of their research experience with a list of publications highlighting their personal contributions). 
- Have referrals to send at least 2 letters of recommendation directly to lapp_administration_rh_secretariat@lapp.in2p3.fr (further information can be obtained from this same email address).

Work Context
LAPP is a laboratory of the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Particle Physics (IN2P3), an institute of the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), which coordinates programs in these fields. LAPP is a joint research unit (UMR 5814) of the CNRS and the University of Savoie Mont-Blanc (USMB). More than 150 researchers, teacher-researchers, engineers, technicians, administrators, students and foreign visitors work there. The research carried out at LAPP aims to study the physics of elementary particles and their fundamental interactions, as well as to explore their links with the great structures of the Universe. The work of the LAPP teams aims, among other things, to understand the origin of the mass of particles, to unravel the mystery of dark matter or to determine what happened to the anti-matter present in our universe at the time of the Big Bang.