TWO TENURE-TRACK POSITIONS
Instituto de Astronomía, UNAM
DEADLINE: 31th January
START DATE: Fall 2024
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) announces two tenure track positions at the Instituto de Astronomía (IA) to begin in the fall of 2024, one in Ensenada, Baja California, and another in Mexico City.
Applicants should hold a Ph.D. degree in astronomy or physics and have at least two years of postdoctoral experience. For the position in the Ensenada Campus, the applicants are expected to work in one of the areas of Extragalactic Astrophysics, either from the theoretical or observational (or both) perspective. For the position in the Mexico City Campus, applicants must be at most 37 (men) or 39 (women) years old by the starting date of the position and are expected to work in one of the areas of astrophysics that are currently being developed at IA, i.e., Star and Planet Formation, Stellar Evolution, Solar System and Exoplanets, Interstellar medium, Galactic Astronomy, Extragalactic Astrophysics, Cosmology, Computational Astrophysics, and Data Science.
The main selection criteria will be outstanding research accomplishments and promise of future achievement. Expertise in using and/or developing big-data science, as well as advanced observational techniques will be considered assets. Faculty members are expected to carry out original research, collaborate with other faculty members, 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 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. The IA provides funds for publishing and some support for observing and traveling. Further funding is available by competing for UNAM and/or other national grants.
Special emphasis will be placed on applications from Mexican citizens, female candidates, and people from ethnic minorities.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Before applying, candidates should ensure that they meet the minimum requirements and are encouraged to contact UNAM researchers to explore potential collaborations and the scientific exploitation of IA-UNAM facilities (see for the Institute webpage here).
Candidates should submit:
- a cover letter mentioning the area(s) of expertise addressed to Dr. Jesús González director of the Instituto de Astronomía, UNAM,
- a curriculum vitae,
- a list of publications including a working link to the list of publications on ADS,
- a description of current and future research, and teaching statements.
In addition, they should arrange for at least three letters of recommendation addressed to Dr. Jesús González director of Instituto de Astronomía, UNAM. All paperwork and inquiries about this job posting should be e mailed to Dr. Vladimir Avila-Reese 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
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 need 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. Faculty members are also eligible for several performance-related bonus programs. Contracts are for a full 12 months per year. Inquiries regarding salary can be made to Dr. Vladimir Avila-Reese to convocatorias@astro.unam.mx.
Standard health insurance and retirement are provided by the Government. In addition, insurance of major medical expenses and special retirement programs are provided by UNAM.
