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A finales de 2024 se publicó la resolución de la convocatoria ATRAE 2024, el programa para incentivar la incorporación de talento investigador consolidado al sistema español. En esa convocatoria me otorgaron una ayuda para comenzar el proyecto Milgatz en el Centro de Astrobiología (CAB) del CSIC-INTA.
Milgatz tiene como objetivo realizar censos panorámicos de galaxias distantes en longitudes de onda milimétricas con la cámara TolTEC, localizada en el telescopio de 50m Gran Telescopio Milimétrico Alfonso Serrano de México (GTM/LMT). La cámara TolTEC tiene ya aprobados dos censos de legado para realizar mapas de hasta 60 grados cuadrados del cielo que nos aporten varios cientos de miles de galaxias polvorientas formadoras de estrellas.
Milgatz es un acrónimo compuesto de referencias a la longitud de onda milimétrica del estudio (mil), 1000 en castellano o mila en euskera, galaxias (ga), TolTEC de t y alto corrimiento al rojo por z, la abreviación técnica universalmente adoptada en astrofísica. «Gatz» significa sal en euskera, pero también vivacidad, sagacidad y donaire, una connotación también común en castellano. Puesto de los censos de TolTEC descubrirán miles de galaxias, el logo del proyecto es este salero que sirve galaxias al observador. Mi amiga «Jaio la espía», agitadora cultural por excelencia en Bilbao y sus entornos, es la creadora del logo.
En junio de 2025 se publicó un anuncio de preselección de estudiantes que quieran iniciar la tesis doctoral con un contrato predoctoral en el CAB para trabajar en Milgatz: anuncio SEA. EL estudiante seleccionado, Pablo Jiménez, de la UCM, empezó a trabajar en le proyecto en enero de 2026.
Nuevo anuncio de contratación postdoctoral (Febrero 2026): publicado en repositorio EAS
Preselection for a 3-Year Postdoctoral Appointment
Milgatz Project – Center for Astrobiology (CAB, CSIC–INTA, Spain)
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
(1 position, fixed term)
Salary: €39,000-43,000 per annum (gross)
Benefits: Social benefits as mandated by Spanish labor law
The Department of Astrophysics at the Center for Astrobiology (CAB; CSIC–INTA, Spain) invites applications for a postdoctoral research assistant position in the field of Galaxy Formation and Evolution. The successful candidate will work on the Milgatz project (ATR2024-154316), led by Dr. Itziar Aretxaga, entitled:
“Millimeter-Wavelength Large-Area Surveys of Galaxies with TolTEC at High Redshift (Milgatz)”
The selected candidate will join the CAB campus in Villafranca del Castillo, located at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), near Madrid. The position is expected to start between June and September 2026.
CAB is a multidisciplinary research institute jointly funded by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA). It operates across two campuses: ESAC (Villafranca del Castillo) and INTA (Torrejón de Ardoz). The successful candidate is expected to interact with researchers at both campuses and with the international TolTEC science team.
As a member of the Spanish research community, the successful candidate will have access to major observational facilities, including ESO facilities (VLT, ALMA), IRAM/NOEMA, and observatories at La Palma, such as the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and ING, with access to the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT).
Project Description
Milgatz exploits millimeter-wavelength surveys conducted with the TolTEC camera at 1.1, 1.4, and 2.0 mm on the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano (LMT). The project aims to characterize the dusty star-forming galaxy population and quantify its contribution to the star formation history and chemical enrichment of the Universe. The successful candidate will be part of the TolTEC-associated science team, with direct access to TolTEC Legacy Survey data.
Requirements
Applicants should:
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Hold a PhD in Astronomy or Astrophysics by June 2026
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Have experience in observational extragalactic research
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Demonstrate a strong publication record in peer-reviewed astronomy journals
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Possess high-performance computing skills and/or millimeter-wavelength observational experience
Experience with extragalactic surveys at optical, infrared, millimeter, and/or radio wavelengths will be particularly valued. Teaching experience, student supervision, outreach activities, and knowledge of Spanish are considered assets but are not required.
Research Group
Dr. Itziar Aretxaga is the project scientist of TolTEC and joined CAB in 2025 with the Milgatz project. The TolTEC scientific collaboration comprises more than 70 scientists across 8 countries. The selected candidate will join the TolTEC scientific associates team and interact closely with this international consortium, as well as with the Galaxy Formation and Evolution research group at CAB (Villafranca del Castillo and Torrejón de Ardoz).
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit the following materials by April 1, 2026:
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A curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
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A publication list, highlighting up to five key contributions and briefly describing the applicant’s role in each
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A statement of past research accomplishments and current research interests (maximum 3 pages, plus references)
Applicants should also arrange for two to three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to:
Dr. Itziar Aretxaga
Email: iaretxaga@cab.inta-csic.es
