The Instituto de Astronomía of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IA-UNAM, http://www.astroscu.unam.mx) invites applications for the new Luc Binette Astronomy Fellowship. The program seeks to bring young independent scientists of outstanding potential to the IA-UNAM to produce high-quality and visible research. The fellow will hold the rank of postdoctoral research scientist in either the Mexico City (Ciudad Universitaria) or Ensenada, baja California Campus.
Applications in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics will be considered. The primary selection criterion will be the candidate´s explicit promise to produce high quality research. Accordingly the research statement included with the application should highlight prior research accomplishments as well as outline future plans. The fellow will be expected to pursue a vigorous research agenda and to actively participate in the academic life of the IA-UNAM and collaborate with faculty members and students. Applicants who are already doing research in the areas covered by our international projects, such as the high Altitude Water Cerenkov (HAWC) Observatory, or the After-Sloan 3 (AS3), are also encouraged to apply. The astronomy community at IA-UNAM has broad research interests including: astrophysics of interstellar medium and chemical abundances, star formation and evolution, Galactic structure and dynamics, galaxy evolution and formation, cosmology: dark matter and dark energy related problems, AGN´s and super massive black holes, high-energy astrophysics and compact objects, extrasolar planets, computational astrophysics and astronomical instrumentation.
IA-UNAM members have access to the San Pedro Mártir National Astronomical Observatory, near Ensenada, Baja California that currently hosts optical/IR telescopes of 2.1, 1.5 and 0.84m. IA-UNAM researchers can also apply for the Mexican share of observing time at the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). IA-UNAM hosts a computer cluster of cpu´s and gpu´s for numerical simulations and storage for large dataset analysis. IA-UNAM members can additionally apply for time at the UNAM/DGTIC supercomputer center.
Candidates must hold a PhD in astronomy, physics or equivalent by the date of appointment. The appointment is offered on a full-time fixed-term basis for a period of 3 years, starting as early as April 15th, 2013. Renewals for the second and third years will depend on annual performance reviews.
Our institution provides funds for publishing, and some support for observing and traveling. Candidate applications will be considered before January 31th, 2013. Applicants should send an e-mail to Dr. Barbara Pichardo, to: barbara@astro.unam.mx, who will provide detailed information on the corresponding requisites.
