French Contribution for the Extremely Large Telescope M/F

Job Description

Summary of the scientific project

The Extremely Large Telescope will explore vast domains of astrophysics, from star and planet formation to the characterization of exoplanets, including the study of high-redshift galaxies, the Galactic Center, black holes, and fundamental physics. In some areas, particularly through ultra-high-resolution and high-contrast imaging—fields in which France has internationally recognized expertise—the ELT will enable decisive advances. In others, it will provide essential complementary observations to current and future major observatories.
At a critical moment for French participation, marked by the final phases of instrumental validation and the preparation of the first scientific programs ahead of commissioning in 2029, the objective of this Junior Professor Chair is to consolidate and strengthen France's position in this global project by recruiting a high-level researcher

Summary of the teaching project

In agreement with the partner institution or the OSU that will host the chair, the teaching post will be fully converted into a national observation service related to the ELT: Adaptive Optics – High Contrast, High-Resolution Spectroscopy, or Multi-Object Spectroscopy. This service will count as a full teaching discharge. At the end of the contractual period, the candidate will be tenured as a CNRS-INSU Research Director.

Your Profil

Profile Required

Holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific qualifications or carried out scientific work deemed to be of an equivalent level.There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability

Your Work Environment

Host Lab Strategy

Each of the major partner institutions and OSUs is actively involved in the development of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). The result of national coordination established over 15 years and the culmination of cutting-edge Research and Development activities, CNRS's commitments to ELT instrumentation are supported by a significant human contribution, representing over 300 full-time equivalents (FTE) spread across several French laboratories. Thanks to privileged access to early observations, participation, and leadership within the scientific teams' working groups, the French community will position itself as a leader in various fields of astrophysics

Institution Strategy

Recruiting researchers who are deeply involved in the development, coordination and operation of long-term observation programmes of the universe and planet Earth is a major priority for the CNRS and academic research. On a planet whose habitability is now threatened by global change and human pressure, understanding the mechanisms of the formation and evolution of the Universe and planets, and the emergence of life – particularly those that determine the habitability of worlds – is a prerequisite. This understanding relies on the availability and sharing of research data, the majority of which must be acquired through continuous and long-term observation of natural and human-altered environments—a prerequisite for science-informed policy decisions. As the leading player in research and observation for research documenting the processes of the formation of the Universe and planets, as well as global change, the CNRS designs and manages numerous national and international research infrastructures (IR/IR*). These infrastructures are supported by National Observation Services (SNO) accredited by the INSU.

The CNRS Tenure Track Positions therefore represent a remarkable opportunity for the CNRS-INSU to recruit, in line with national strategic plans, senior staff for the development and management of SNOs and IR/IR* dedicated to the observation of the Universe and the Earth, in close collaboration with the universities where members of the CNAP carry out their duties via the OSUs

International Strategy

Led by the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is one of the major infrastructures in global astronomy, set to become the most powerful optical/infrared telescope ever built. With commissioning planned for 2029 and an unparalleled suite of instruments (HARMONI, MOSAIC, MICADO, METIS, ANDES), it unites a broad international community already mobilized to prepare for its scientific exploitation.
The project teams thus represent an exceptional pool of researchers at the highest international level, aligning with the priorities of the CPJ. This recruitment aims to significantly strengthen France's participation in the ELT exploitation phase, in a context where advances in instrumentation and adaptive optics will pave the way for major discoveries in the coming decades, profoundly transforming our understanding of the Universe.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Annual salary from 54 600 Euros to 57 800 Euros depending on professionnal experience.

Total funding

200k€

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

Research Policy

Open Science

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

Science and society

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project’s socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Scientific dissemination

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions