UCM group of Extragalactic astrophysics and astronomical instrumentation (GUAIX)

The UCM group of Extragalactic Astrophysics and instrumentation coordinates the efforts and activities of UCM researchers in the field of Galaxy properties and evolution and development and scientific exploitation of astronomical instrumentation for large facilities. The group is mainly formed by UCM staff and postdoctoral researchers, with the collaboration of Ph.D. and graduate students.

GUAIX researchers work on the physical properties of local galaxies and extragalactic surveys.

One of the main expertise of the group is related to Data Reduction Pipelines for optical and near-infrared instruments, but new projects are on the way. Our group is currently involved in the corresponding international consortia to develop several astronomical instruments for the 10.4m GTC telescope:
-MEGARA: Multi-Espectrógrafo en GTC de Alta Resolución para Astronomía, delivered in May 2017 to the Gran Telescopio Canarias 10.4m telescope.
-EMIR: Espectrógrafo Multiobjeto en el infrarrojo, delivered in august 2017 to the Gran Telescopio Canarias 10.4m telescope.
-MOSAIC: the future MOS for the 39m European Large Telescope.
-FRIDA: inFrared Imager and Dissector for Adaptative optics for GTC telescope.
-MIRADAS: Mid-resolution InfRAreD Astronomical Spectrograph for GTC telescope.
- TARSIS: a proposal of multi-object spectrograph for the 3.5m telescope of Calar Alto Observatory.

Laboratory activities of our group make use of the UCM LICA (Laboratorio de Instrumentación Científica Avanzada)

Nearby disk galaxies:
We approach this problem from a multi-wavelength perspective-taking advantage of state-of-the-art UV (from GALEX) through IR (from Spitzer & Herschel) imaging data and integral field spectroscopy (IFS). Our group has been a major contributor to the design and exploitation of the CALIFA project, a legacy IFS project.
Real and virtual early-type galaxies:
Our group is involved in the project "Real and Virtual Early-type Galaxies: How galaxies assemble through cosmic time". The central idea is to combine state-of-the-art cosmological simulations with the latest generation of stellar populations synthesis models. These will be compared directly with the highest quality observational data.
Distant Star-Forming galaxies:
We are currently involved in the study of the properties of low-mass star-forming galaxies, and in the following years, this project will benefit from the scientific exploitation of a significant number of observing nights of the guaranteed time of both MEGARA and EMIR instruments for GTC. The project also includes deep multi-object spectroscopy in the optical.
Numerical simulations:
Recently, experts on numerical simulations joined our group. Their main research lines include the formation and properties of the Milky Way, the fate of accreted satellite galaxies, and the circumgalactic medium.
Astronomical instrumentation for large telescopes:
The group participates in different instrumental initiatives considered of high priority by the Spanish and European funding agencies: MEGARA for GTC, EMIR for GTC, MOSAIC for the European ELT ...
Light pollution:
Some GUAIX researchers are studying light pollution and its negative effects on the environment and human beings. Our work is part of several European Union Projects.

Interested applicants should submit the following documents before the deadline:
(1) a cover letter (that should also list names of two referees)
(2) a recent Curriculum Vitae
Letters of interest should be sent to ainhoasa@ucm.es or j.gallego@ucm.es