The IAC (Tenerife) announces ONE postdoctoral contract linked to the line of research “The central parsec of galaxies using high spatial resolution techniques” to work on the project “PARSEC: observational appearance of matter accretion: from Supermassive Black Holes to Star formation”. The contract is funded by the MICIU project PID2023-146851NB-I00, led by Dr. Almudena Prieto
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
PARSEC is a large international project studying the centre of galaxies at extreme angular resolutions across the electromagnetic spectrum. The selected candidate will work on the PARSEC topic: "Observational appearance of matter accretion in galaxies: from Supermassive Black Holes to Star formation”. The project is supported by an extensive observational program, from radio to X-ray, and computational modelling in liaison with the Computational Astrophysics group at the University of Munich. PARSEC is also involved in the development of Adaptive Optics assisted instrumentation for large telescopes, including the adaptive instrument FRIDA, a near-IR imager and Integral Field Unit for the 10 m GTC. Information on the PARSEC project research areas, collaborating researchers and institutes involved are in http://research.iac.es/proyecto/parsec/.
Tasks: The successful candidate will pursue research on the observational appearance of the matter accretion process in the centres of galaxies. He/she will study how matter is conducted to the centres of galaxies to foster nuclear star formation and black hole activity. In PARSEC, we follow the multiscale, multi-phase medium of the accretion phenomenon in galaxies, which occurs via filaments in gas and dust, channelling matter from kpc scales to the central parsec. The successful applicant will work preferentially on the interpretation of our newly acquired ALMA and JWST data of well-known galaxies studied in PARSEC.
Requirements: The candidates must have an excellent research record, commensurate with the duration of their research career. They must be in possession of a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics or Physics by the application deadline (August 31, 2025).
Applications from candidates not in possession of a PhD will be rejected without further consideration.
Candidates who prepared their thesis at the IAC have to present accreditations of complementary training at other research centers (this period should be either 1 continuous year or 18 accumulated months) by the application deadline. The IAC is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.
Selection process: The selection process consists of two phases: merit assessment and interview.
1. First phase: merit assessment. The Selection Panel will verify and rate the merits documented by the applicants. The maximum score that can be awarded in this phase is 80 points, calculated as the sum of the scores obtained in each of the following two sections.
a) CV (maximum score: 60 points). Main criteria will be:
- Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research, especially those listed in the Science Citation Index, in relation to the duration of the candidate’s scientific career. Of special importance are the first-authored papers by the candidate.
- Appointments and stays (at the PhD or postdoctoral level) in prestigious research institutions.
- Conference contributions, especially those leading to publications.
- Other indicators of research activity and motivation (like invitations to lectures, organization of meetings, and teaching at University level).
- Any periods of inactivity for medical reasons, maternity/paternity leaves, elderly care, or due to training or professional experience in other fields will be taken into account.
b) Adequacy to the objectives of the contract (maximum score 20 points)
Adequacy of the candidate’s training and experience to this contract.
- Demonstrate motivation in the project: star formation and non thermal processes in galaxies
- Familiarity with integral field unit data
Form of accreditation for both sections: A report of the candidate's technical and research activity, accompanied by documentation accrediting the activities mentioned.
2) Second phase: interview. (maximum score 20 points)
- Candidates who have obtained at least 50 points in the first phase will be invited to an interview. The interview may be given in either Spanish or English (as chosen by the candidate) and take place using internet communication software (Zoom) that allows voice and image transmission.
- During the interview, the candidate will present, for a maximum of 10 minutes, his/her vision about the suitability of his/her professional profile to the position and the planned research activity if awarded the contract. The presentation may be followed by questions by the Selection Committee.
Of the maximum 20 points to be awarded:
- Up to 10 points correspond to the suitability of the candidate’s profile to the position
- Up to 10 points correspond to the candidate's vision for their future research activity.
To pass the second phase a minimum score of 15 points will be necessary.
To pass the selective process, a minimum of 65 points must be reached. If there is a draw in the score of two or more candidates, priorities will be set according to the Equality Plan of the IAC.
Training: Candidates who have obtained their doctorate at the IAC must provide accreditation of a period of complementary training at other research centres. The required period is a full continuous year or 18 accumulated months (including periods of training during the doctoral studies stage and after obtaining the Ph.D. degree, but not periods prior to the predoctoral contract at the IAC).
Duration: The contract will be of indefinite duration. It is estimated that the date of commencement will be during the last quarter of 2025. The current funding horizon for the project ends on August 31, 2027. The contract could be guaranteed for 23 months depending on performance, with an extension possible subject to additional funding.
Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 39.138 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:
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).
Accommodation costs for the two weeks (13 nights) also arranged by the IAC.
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.
Applicants from outside the EU: Successful applicants who are not citizens of a member country of the European Union must keep in mind that, prior to signing the contract, they must obtain a residence and work permit (NIE card) from the Spanish immigration authorities.
Presentation of applications: Applications must be submitted electronically through the telematic application system https://iac.sede.gob.es through the procedure “Selection and employment-HR”, and within the deadline established in this advertisement. Access to the procedure: Procedures -> “Selection and employment-HR” -> Selection of Postdoctoral Research StaffAlternatively, 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-2025-045)
- Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed)
- Copy of your PhD. degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree (in Spanish or English) (NO amendment allowed)
- Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed).
- 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 or the Scientific Project to be developed (in the case of PD Genérico calls), 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 IAC supports and adheres to the Recommendation of the European Commission 2005/251/EC of March 11th 2005 on “The European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” adopted by the European Commission. Additionally, the IAC is aligned with the "Human Resources Strategy for Researchers" (HRS4R) fostered by the European Commission to support the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C), having received recognition from the European Commission, with the award of the distinction "Excellence in Human Resources in Research".
Application deadline: AUGUST 26, 2025
Contact: For further information about the scientific aspects of this opening, please contact the head of the project at the IAC PI, Dr. Almudena Prieto. (almudena.prieto at iac.es).
