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IAC POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP MATRYOSHKA-abundances 2026
Job Summary
Category
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Number of Positions Available
1
Duration
2 Years
Could the duration be extended?
Yes
Work Arrangement
In-Person
In-Person Location(s)
La Laguna Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Spain
Job Description
The IAC (Tenerife) invites applications for ONE postdoctoral contract to work on the project linked to the line of research –“Traces of galaxy formation: stellar populations, dynamics and morphology”. The contract is funded by the project “MATRYOSHKA- Mass Assembly TRaced bY glObular clusterS, tHe Key to gAlaxy evolution” (PID2024-162088NB-I00), led by Dr. Anna Ferré-Mateu and Dr. Michael Beasley, involving researchers based in Vienna, the Netherlands and Australia.
The successful candidate will be based at the IAC’s headquarters in La Laguna (Tenerife), working in a stimulating research environment. They will join TRACES, a dynamic and diverse team committed to high-quality scientific research in the field of galaxy evolution as well as the exploration of the low-surface Universe. The group bridges the gap between observation and theory, utilizing data from world-class facilities and developing state-of-the-art synthesis models to decode the assembly, chemical enrichment, and internal dynamics of galaxies across cosmic time.
Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: Solar Physics (FS), Exoplanetary System and Solar System (SEYSS), Stellar and Interstellar Physics (FEEI), The Milky Way and The Local Group (MWLG), Formation and Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG), and Cosmology and Astroparticles (CYA-CTA). All of these are supported by an ambitious instrumentation programme. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the 10.4m GTC is available at the IAC's web page: https://www.iac.es/en
Tasks: The successful candidate will pursue research in the following fields:
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Derive detailed chemical abundances (alpha-elements, Fe-peak, s- and r-process) from high spectral resolution integrated-light spectra of globular clusters. This may include using existing tools available or developing new methodologies. Explore and validate existing atomic line lists in the wavelength regions of interest.
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Develop spectral libraries and stellar population models based on theoretical stellar spectra.
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Exploit a large database of high-resolution spectra in the Calcium Triplet region for extragalactic globular clusters. Determine which chemical species can be robustly measured in this wavelength region.
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Determine to what extent the chemistry of extragalactic globular clusters can be used as chemical tags to explore the accretion histories of galaxies.
Particular attention will be given to candidates with experience in determining chemical abundances from integrated-light spectra of globular clusters and construction of stellar population models with theoretical abundances.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation Type
Salary
Currency
365
Compensation Range
$40,313USD
Included Benefits
Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 40.313,84 Euros, with deductions of up to 20% for income tax (IRPF) and social security (dependent on the candidate's personal situation). The contract provides social security cover for spouse or de facto partner and children.
Extra financial support to start the contract: The present job offer includes financial support related to the incorporation of the selected candidate at the IAC. You may apply for up to 2500€ to cover any necessary - and duly documented - relocation costs when you take up your post at any IAC workplace. These costs must fall under the following categories and must have been incurred within a period of 14 days prior to the date of the commencement of your contract:
(1) Plane or boat ticket from your former place residence to Tenerife (arranged by the IAC). The price of the ticket will be at the cheapest rate. Your ticket fare includes one cabin bag (56x40x25, 10 kg maximum) as hand luggage, and one piece as a checked baggage (158cm and 23 kg, maximum).
(2) Accommodation costs for the two weeks (13 nights).
(3) A per diem of 37.40€ x 14 days.
No other expenses (bus, train, taxi, etc.) shall be reimbursed. This grant is considered as taxable income and the corresponding taxes (IRPF*), payable by physical persons, will be retained.
Those researchers who, having benefited from it in the past, have not passed 12 months since the last termination of their contract at the IAC, cannot be beneficiaries of this grant. In addition, those researchers whose place of residence, at the time of their application, is Tenerife will not be able to benefit either.
Application Details
Application Instructions
Applications must be submitted electronically through the telematic application system https://iac.sede.gob.es/en/procedimiento/portada.html?idProc=100501 Alternatively, you may follow the instructions given in the corresponding official advertisement on our website.
The following documentation must be sent:
Online application including the name and position code (PS-2026-053)
Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
Copy of your PhD. degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree, only in Spanish or English. (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process).
Certificate of training in other centers (only for applicants that have completed their doctorate at the IAC).
You should also include the names and email addresses of two or three scientists familiar with your work.Applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically rejected, as will those unaccompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, Research Activity Report, copy of the Degree, documents that cannot be corrected or added to after submission. Applications not accompanied by these documents will therefore definitely be excluded from the selection process. If any other required documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five working days after publication of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates.
The following documentation must be sent:
Online application including the name and position code (PS-2026-053)
Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
Copy of your PhD. degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree, only in Spanish or English. (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process).
Certificate of training in other centers (only for applicants that have completed their doctorate at the IAC).
You should also include the names and email addresses of two or three scientists familiar with your work.Applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically rejected, as will those unaccompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, Research Activity Report, copy of the Degree, documents that cannot be corrected or added to after submission. Applications not accompanied by these documents will therefore definitely be excluded from the selection process. If any other required documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five working days after publication of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates.
Link to Online Application
Publication Start Date
2026 May 06
Application Deadline
2026 Jun 18
Reference Code
PS-2026-053