JU organisational unit: Department of Stellar and Extragalactic Astronomy
Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Observatory
Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science
Number of posts: 1
Type of employment: Employment contract
Working time: Half-time
Planned duration of employment: 12 months
Expected date of employment commencement: 1 December – 31 January 2026
Remuneration: according to the Rules for Remunerating Jagiellonian University Employees
The selection procedure is open for all individuals, who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- having completed the first level of higher education.
Additional requirements necessary for employment
(indicated in order of priority)
- BSc degree in astronomy or physical sciences;
- interest in issues related to the development of space instrumentation (confirmed by participation in projects, trainings, workshops, etc.);
- interest in issues related to observational astronomy, with particular emphasis on comet and asteroid science (confirmed by participation in projects, trainings, workshops, etc.).
Project title
ERC Consolidator Grant 2022
Hydrogen and deuterium survey of minor bodies: transformative science with a purpose-built CubeSat (101089312 HYADES)
Project description
The HYADES project directly derives from the vast research possibilities offered by Low Earth Orbit, and aims at a construction of a small space telescope designed specifically to detect hydrogen and deuterium around comets and asteroids through the ultra-luminous Lyman alpha transition (in the far ultraviolet). Thanks to the unparalleled sensitivity to these atoms, the satellite under development will provide definite answers to some of the most profound problems of the near Universe. First, it will enable determination of the isotopic composition in water for dozens of comets of different types. These measurements will ultimately resolve the puzzle of cometary origin of water on Earth and unveil the link between present-day cometary reservoirs and their original place of formation in the solar nebula. Second, the satellite will allow studies into the hydrogen content around main-belt comets, providing precious information about water-ice outgassing from these bodies. Data of excellent quality will be obtained both for known objects of this class and new main-belt comets soon to be discovered by LSST, transforming our knowledge of the ice reservoir in the outer Main Belt. Finally, the satellite will enable ultra-sensitive searches for hydrogen clouds around future interstellar objects passing through the Solar System, with direct implications to our understanding of orbital anomalies in the absence of visible dust (such as observed in ‘Oumuamua), as well as physical nature of these bodies in general.
Scope of duties
According to the Work Regulations of the Jagiellonian University Annex 1 to the Work Regulations of the Jagiellonian University – Model scope of duties for non-academic staff.
Description of tasks:
- develop software for the HYADES satellite.
We offer:
- stable employment based on an employment contract at the renowned university,
- possibility of qualifications improvement and professional development;
- benefits in the form of i.a. Multisport card, sports activities, medical packages, group insurance,
- additional social benefits,
- gross monthly base salary of €1200 (i.e. 5200 PLN).
Required application documents:
- resume;
- personal questionnaire filled in by the candidate.
The personal questionnaire template (no. 2) can be obtained at:
https://cso.uj.edu.pl/en_gb/dokumkandyd
The personal questionnaire template (no. 2) can be obtained at: https://cso.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/dokumkandyd
The course of selection procedure:
The first stage of the selection procedure is the formal assessment of the submitted documents. Applications which meet all formal requirements are the subject of substantive assessment, during which an interview with the Candidate may be conducted (directly or via electronic communication channels), upon settling the date of the interview with the Candidate. During the interview, the soft competencies indicated in the announcement will also be verified.
The Candidate has the right to appeal against the negative assessment by the selection board within 7 days from receiving the information about the results of the assessment.
The selection procedure is conducted in accordance with The Policy of Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment Process at the Jagiellonian University
Submission of applications
Form of submission: by e-mail to the address: michal.drahus@uj.edu.pl, title: HYADES – physicist
Deadline for submission of applications: 18 November 2025
Expected date of the selection procedure settlement: 2 December 2025
Method of communicating of the results of the selection procedure: by e-mail.
Questions: For further information please contact Michał Drahus, e-mail address: michal.drahus@uj.edu.pl
In the selection procedure, the Jagiellonian University follows the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
Jagiellonian University does not provide housing.
Jagiellonian University in Kraków promotes cooperation and cares for a good atmosphere based on mutual trust. It implements the strategy resulting from The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, creating stable conditions for employment as well as the development of academic career, which resulted in the award of the HR Excellence in Research by the European Commission
