Instituto de Astronomía, UNAM
DEADLINE: June 5
START DATE: Autumn 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Institute of Astronomy at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IA-UNAM) is
announcing a tenure-track position for an Assistant Professor at its Mexico City
headquarters. Applicants should hold a PhD in astronomy, physics, or a related field,
and have at least two years of international postdoctoral experience gained in a different
institution from that in which they received their PhD.
We are seeking an outstanding candidate with a proven track record of research
achievements and publications in peer-reviewed journals, and specializing in innovative
and cutting-edge topics in extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, with a particular
focus on galaxy formation and high-redshift evolution from observational and/or
theoretical perspectives. Applicants with experience of submitting successful research
proposals, as well as experience of data analysis from facilities such as HST, JWST,
Euclid, LSST, etc. and/or of performing and analyzing numerical simulations of
galaxy/cluster formation and the formation of the first stars, will be given particular
consideration. The successful candidate will also be expected to foster collaboration
with research groups and researchers/students on ongoing extragalactic astronomy and
cosmology projects at IA-UNAM.
Faculty members are expected to teach astronomy and/or physics courses at the
graduate and/or undergraduate level, serve as mentors to students, and participate in
outreach activities.
Institute members have competitive access to the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional
at San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, the Observatorio Astronómico Guillermo Haro in
Sonora, and the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano in Puebla, as well as
access, direct or via collaboration, to several other international projects (for more
details, see here). In addition, the Institute has extensive computing facilities and
members of the Institute have access to UNAM’s general supercomputers.
Special emphasis will be placed on applications from Mexican citizens, female
candidates, and people from ethnic minorities.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants should submit:
- a cover letter addressed to Dr. Yair Krongold, director of IA-UNAM, direccion_ia@astro.unam.mx
- a curriculum vitae,
- a list of publications, highlighting the first author or correspondence articles, with a
working link to the list of publications on ADS or SciX, - a statement of past, current and future research and teaching.
In addition, they should arrange for at least three letters of recommendation addressed
to Dr. Yair Krongold. All paperwork and inquiries about this job posting should be
e-mailed to M. en I. Liliana Hernández, head of Academic Affairs, to
convocatorias@astro.unam.mx
Please make sure that signed letters of reference are submitted as PDF documents by
e-mail directly from the signatory to convocatorias@astro.unam.mx.
competing for UNAM and/or other national grants.
OTHER DOCUMENTS
A copy of the successful applicant’s birth certificate and Ph.D. diploma (or Ph.D.
defense certificate) will be needed at a later date. The successful applicant will be
required to apply for a work permit if they do not have Mexican citizenship.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The initial base salary will be fixed at the standard junior faculty level determined by
UNAM and is non-negotiable. Contracts are for a full 12 months per year.
Faculty members are also eligible for several performance-related bonus programs.
Standard health insurance and retirement are provided by the Government. In addition,
insurance for major medical expenses are provided by UNAM. The IA provides some
funds for publishing, for observing and traveling. Further funding is available by
competing for UNAM and/or other national grants.