Assistant Professor of Astrophysics

The department of physics at the Université de Montréal invites application for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of assistant professor in the field of astrophysics. The department’s astrophysics group stands out for its leading expertise in the study of exoplanets, stellar, galactic, and extragalactic physics, observational cosmology, as well as in the development of advanced instruments and artificial intelligence methods applied to astrophysics. It hosts the Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx) and the Montreal Institute for astrophysics and machine learning (CIELA), and is a key partner of the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic (OMM). It also benefits from an exceptional AI ecosystem through Mila (Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute) and IVADO, as well as excellent infrastructures in instrumentation. The group maintains strong ties with the astrophysics teams at McGill, Bishop’s, and Laval universities.

The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized research program in observational, theoretical, and/or computational astrophysics that (i) leverages the flagship observatories and missions of the coming decade and/or enhances their scientific impact through complementary approaches such as modeling, simulation, big data analysis, and artificial intelligence, and (ii) addresses the major scientific questions identified in the Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan 2020–2030.

A successful candidate whose research program has a theme related to artificial intelligence may also be considered for an IVADO Professorship (a research, training, and knowledge mobilization consortium in artificial intelligence), which offers enhanced start-up conditions.

Day-to-day responsibilities

Through your undergraduate and graduate-level teaching, and your research activities, you will contribute to the faculty’s pursuit of excellence. Furthermore, you will promote your discipline and actively participate in the daily activities of a renowned institution. As such, you will:

• Develop an independent, dynamic, innovative, and high-quality research program in astrophysics;
• Teach and supervise undergraduate and graduate students;
• Actively contribute to knowledge dissemination and to enhancing the visibility of the University through conferences and scientific activities at the local, national, and international levels;
• Contribute to the effective functioning and development of the astrophysics group, the Department of Physics, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the institution through service on committees and working groups.

Qualifications

• Hold a Ph.D. in physics or a related field, with research experience in astrophysics;
• Have an outstanding research record, demonstrated by the impact and quality of publications, leadership in research projects, and international recognition;
• Demonstrate strong potential for impactful research in astrophysics, with evidence of independence, a realistic feasibility of the proposed research program at Université de Montréal, and potential for collaboration within the department;
• Demonstrate strong potential to secure research funding;
• Show aptitude for delivering high-quality university teaching and student supervision at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
• Demonstrate experience and/or interest in science communication and outreach, service to the academic community, and/or equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
• Have adequate proficiency of the French language or be committed to learning it once hired, through the Université de Montréal’s French language support program, in accordance with the Université de Montréal language policy.

The expected start date is June 1st, 2026.