FOUR TENURE-TRACK POSITIONS IA-UNAM, MEXICO CITY

The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) announces four tenure track positions at the Instituto de Astronomía (IA) in Mexico City. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. degree in astronomy, physics or a related field, and should have at least two years of postdoctoral experience. 

These positions are governed by the rules of the university's young academic staff recruitment programme; for more information, see here, item II.  We seek outstanding candidates with a strong record of research accomplishments and publications in high-impact journals working on innovative and cutting-edge topics in one of the following areas:

1. Observational study of astrophysical transients and their interpretation, including high-energy phenomena, such as gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, gravitational wave sources and binary systems. The IA-UNAM is a partner in observational projects, several of them at Observatorio Astronómico Nacional in San Pedro Mártir, B.C., involving the detection, characterization, follow-up and interpretation of this type of source with robotic telescopes and associated satellite missions (see here), and it is expected that the successful candidate will collaborate with the existing observational and theoretical teams.
2. Extragalactic astrophysics focused on galaxy formation and evolution, including galaxy structure and dynamics, both from a theoretical and observational perspective. Candidates are expected to have strong experience/interest in galaxy structural, kinematical and morphological analysis and in the demographics of galaxy surveys at all redshifts, especially using spectroscopic/photometric information from facilities such as JWST, HST, SDSS-V, LSST, Euclid, etc., and/or in numerical simulations of galaxies/clusters/large scale structure.
3. Fields related to the scientific use of Vera Rubin's LSST survey data. Candidates are expected to pursue a competitive research program of their own, but also to actively collaborate with the Mexican in-kind participation group in LSST on topics like gravitational lensing, low surface brightness sky, cosmology, Milky Way/Local Volume, and transient and variable sources. Experience in machine learning, time series analysis, and/or data science is highly desirable.  
4. Exoplanet science and planetary systems, with a particular emphasis on connections to star formation. This involves using cutting-edge observational techniques and novel data analysis methods (such as data mining or machine learning) to discover and characterize exoplanets, including their host stars and formation environments, such as proto-planetary disks. Experience in analyzing data from space-based observatories (like HST or JWST), ground-based facilities (e.g., 8-10m optical telescopes such as GTC, Keck, or the VLT), or radio interferometers (like ALMA or VLA) is desired.
5. Relativistic astrophysics with a focus on one or more of the following areas: neutron stars, black holes, relativistic magnetohydrodynamics, gravitational waves, and astrophysical cosmology. Candidates are expected to have experience interpreting astronomical data to test and refine theoretical models. The IA-UNAM will be collaborating with ng-EHT and ng-VLA, and it is expected that candidates will take advantage of these collaborations in their work.

Candidates must clearly indicate one of the five areas they are applying. We will consider the following points as assets in the applications:

• Experience in the use of advanced tools and techniques such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis and/or in astronomical instrumentation.
• Proposed research projects involving observations or simulations connected to, or within the framework, of existing collaborations and initiatives in which IA-UNAM actively participates (see  here).
• Ability to open new avenues of collaboration or get involved in emerging frontier fields.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research initiatives and secure external funding.

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 mentor 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. 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.

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. Inquiries regarding salary can be made to Dr. Vladimir Avila-Reese to [email protected]