Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Brankica Kubátová

I am the head of the Stellar Physics Department of the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Ondřejov. My main expertise lies in the area of hot, massive stars and their winds. My research focuses on the radiative transfer in inhomogeneous (i.e., clumped) stellar winds. I developed 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for clumped stellar wind. The main aim of my research is to test how wind clumping influences mass-loss rates determination. I am also interested in quantitative spectroscopy, i.e., analyzing spectroscopic data by means of using NLTE model atmosphere codes in order to determine accurate values of the stellar and winds parameters.

Our department consists of three scientific working groups: Physics of hot stars, Extrasolar planet research, and High energy astrophysics. These groups conduct research, which focuses on both massive and low-mass stars in different evolutionary stages, their remnants, subdwarfs, RR Lyrae stars, red giants, multiple stellar systems, modeling of stellar atmospheres and winds, extra-solar-system planets, galactic and extragalactic high-energy sources, gamma-ray bursts and their optical afterglows.

The key research infrastructure and equipment of the Stellar physics department is the Perek 2-m telescope equipped with single order and echelle spectrographs, and a recently installed photometric camera. This telescope is mainly used for observations of stars and stellar systems including those with exoplanets. These objects are often studied in an international collaboration. Other telescopes available for observations are the D50 telescope and the BART robotic telescope, both devoted mainly to observations of γ‑ray burst afterglows. Currently, a new spectrograph (PLATOSpec) is being prepared for the 1.52-m telescope at ESO La Silla Observatory. This project will serve mainly as a ground based support for future space mission PLATO.

Because the Czech Republic is an ESO member state, department members can apply for observing time at all ESO facilities. Moreover, department members take part in scientific and payload consortia for the development of new ground-based and space facilities, which will provide valuable data for essential future research and discoveries.

In the field of theoretical studies experience in simulations and modeling will be considered favorably. Adequate numerical skills in coding and numerical methods is essential, preferably Python and Fortran. In the area of observational studies experience in observational astronomy and data reductions are required. A record of successful observational proposals (e.g. ESO) would be appreciated as well. The expected outputs of the fellowship are high-level scientific publications and establishing new collaborative research projects.

Minimum qualifications of the applicants that can be a good fit for all our research groups are Ph.D. in astrophysics, astronomy or in a related field. Independent work and thinking, proactive attitude and problem solving, and teamwork are all key personal characteristics that are expected from the successful applicant.

Richard Wünsch

I am the head of the department of Galaxies and Planetary Systems of the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. After finishing my Ph.D. studies at Charles University in Prague, I worked 2 years at the Nicolaus Copernicus Institute in Warsaw and another 2 years at Cardiff University in the UK. I focus on the interstellar medium in galaxies and the formation of stars and star clusters. I am interested in how globular clusters with their unusual chemical compositions have been formed and in how energy released by stars regulates the star formation process. I am mostly a theorist, using numerical simulations running on supercomputers. I have developed the radiation transport algorithm TreeRay.

Our Department consists of three research groups: Physics of galaxies, Relativistic astrophysics and Planetary systems. The research of the team focuses on various areas, including star formation and stellar clusters, evolution of galaxies in groups and clusters, super-massive black holes in active galactic nuclei as well as the one in the center of the Milky Way, and stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binary systems in our Galaxy. Another actively studied topic is the satellite geodesy, in particular the measurement of the Earth’s gravity field.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in astrophysics or a related field, and experience in one or more of the following areas: observational and theoretical studies of star formation and stellar clusters, galaxy evolution in groups and clusters, super-massive black holes in active galactic nuclei, X-ray binary systems, and physical geodesy. Experience with data analysis and/or numerical simulations is desirable.

The postdoctoral researcher will work with the research team of the department, participate in ongoing research projects, and develop their own independent research program. The position also involves collaboration with international partners and the opportunity to participate in the development and operation of astronomical facilities.

Jan Jurčák

I am the head of the Solar Department of the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Ondřejov. I did my master’s and doctoral studies at Charles University in Prague. After completing my doctoral studies, I worked for two years at the National Astronomical Observatory in Japan. My research focuses on the properties of the magnetic field in sunspots in the lowest layers of the solar atmosphere. To do that, I analyze spectropolarimetric data from both ground- and space-based instruments. I am also responsible for the participation of the Czech Republic in the EST project, a new generation solar telescope to be built on the Canary Islands.

Jiří Borovička

I am the head of the Department of Interplanetary Matter of the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Ondřejov. I am mostly interested in analyzing optical meteor data, including spectra, with the aim of revealing physical properties and composition of meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere as well as their trajectories and orbits. Our group operates a photographic fireball network and meteor video cameras. I have developed tools for analyzing the data and models which can be compared to the data, e.g. a meteoroid fragmentation model or a basic model of meteor spectral radiation. I have supervised several PhD students.