Xavier Barcons

Background

About Xavier Barcons

I was born in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Catalonia, Spain), on July 16th, 1959. I graduated in Physics at the University of Barcelona (1981) obtained my PhD in Science at the University of Cantabria (1985). I worked for the University of Cantabria (1981-1993) and for the Spanish Council for Scientific Research-CSIC (1993-2017), and have been postdoctoral researcher (1986/87) and sabbatical visitor (1997) at the Institute of Astronomy (Cambridge, UK). I helped to create the Instituto de Física de Cantabria (CSIC-UC), and served as its first director Since September 2017 I work as Director General of the European Southern Observatory. I served in ESA's Astronomy Working Group (2002-2004), and Space Science Advisory Committee (2004-2006). I chaired ESA's XMM-Newton Users Group (2010-2014). I have served in the Science Study Team of XEUS, IXO and Athena. As advisor to the Spanish Ministry of Science, I had a leading role in the successful negotiations for Spain to join ESO (2004-2006). Afterwards, I led the Spanish delegation to ESO, serving as Council delegate from 2007 to 2011. Elected ESO Council Vicepresident (2011) and President (2012-2014). I served in a number of ESO's committes, and represented ESO Council in the ALMA Board (2008-2014). In 2007 I set up the Spanish Network of Astronomical Infraestructures (RIA), of which I was appointed coordinator until end 2010. I conduct research in Astronomy, in particular in Active Galaxies and X-ray sky surveys. I promoted the first Spanish X-ray astronomy group in Santander, which continues to be an international reference.