Postdoctoral Fellowships in Astrophysics

Addendum to call
Posdocs DGAPA Instructions
Deadline

March 19, 2026

Start date

September 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IA-UNAM), offers postdoctoral fellowships for one year, renewable for a second year depending on performance. Candidates may apply to work either at the IA-UNAM headquarters in Mexico City or at the headquarters in Ensenada, Baja California. Applications should not be sent to more than one UNAM institute or campus.

Fellows are expected to carry out original research in any area of Astrophysics, collaborating with IA-UNAM researchers and students. Candidates interested in participating in the Young Supernova Experiment project are encouraged to apply.

The main selection criteria are outstanding research accomplishments and promise of future achievement. Fellows will have competitive access to the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional in San Pedro Mártir, Baja California (OAN-SPM), the Observatorio Astronómico Guillermo Haro in Sonora, and the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano in Puebla, as well as access via collaboration to several 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. IA-UNAM provides funding for publications and some support for travel and observation.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Interested applicants must contact an IA-UNAM researcher to define a research project to work jointly during the postdoctoral stay.

A full list of faculty members and their research interests can be found for the Mexico City campus here (researchers are separated into four departments) and for the Ensenada campus here.

Candidates interested in the Young Supernova Experiment project should contact Dr. Yair Krongold (yair@astro.unam.mx) for more information.

Before applying, candidates should ensure that they meet the minimum requirements — any application not meeting these requirements is automatically rejected. Applicants should:

  1. Have received their Ph.D. no more than 5 years before the start date of the fellowship.
  2. Have a minimum of one published article in a refereed journal.
  3. Present a research project in collaboration with an IA-UNAM researcher.

Any other information contained in the general publication on the DGAPA-UNAM postdoctoral fellowship can be consulted here (in Spanish).

Applicants should contact Dr. Vladimir Avila-Reese (convocatorias@astro.unam.mx) in advance of the official deadline mentioned above to be considered and to receive the application form.

Applicants should send by email:

  1. Cover letter.
  2. Abstract of their Ph.D. thesis.
  3. Curriculum Vitae including a full list of refereed publications.
  4. Two letters of recommendation addressed to Dr. Yair Krongold, Director of the IA-UNAM.
  5. Application form (requested by email).
  6. Copy of an official identification (passport for foreign applicants).
  7. Curriculum synthesis of the researcher at the IA-UNAM with whom the candidate will work.
  8. Copy of proof of the applicant’s Ph.D. degree or exam.
  9. Letter from the researcher at the IA-UNAM with whom the candidate will work expressing his/her opinion on the applicant’s work.
  10. A research project, which must be defined with the IA-UNAM researcher with whom the candidate will work.

All documents should be e-mailed to Dr. Vladimir Avila-Reese before the deadline to convocatorias@astro.unam.mx.

If the application is pre-selected by the IA’s internal council, the applicant will be required to submit a copy of his/her birth certificate and complete and sign a letter of commitment.

The fellowships are assigned by a specialist University committee in the natural and physical sciences, based on a shortlist drawn up by the internal council of IA-UNAM.

The IA-UNAM is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.

STIPENDS AND BENEFITS

The fellowship stipend is 32,000.00 pesos per month in Mexico City and 35,000.00 pesos in Ensenada. Major medical expense insurance is provided for the fellow and his/her spouse and children residing in Mexico. Some funding is available for participating in conferences or research stays.