Two postdoctoral positions in exoplanet science at IA-UNAM in Mexico City

Two postdoctoral positions in exoplanet science at IA-UNAM in Mexico City

Applications are invited for two Postdoctoral positions at the Instituto de Astronomía at UNAM in Mexico City.  Each position would provide up to 3 years of support for an individual engaged in postdoctoral research in exoplanet systems after the attainment of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree, with the aim to advance our understanding of star and planet formation in the lowest mass regime.

One successful applicant will contribute toward the theoretical framework on the formation, evolution pathways and habitability of rocky exoplanets orbiting brown dwarfs to understand expected planetary size distributions and their migration processes. A second successful applicant will develop the observational aspects of the exoplanet search around brown dwarfs, including the design of the observing strategy for each target, target spectral type and brightness; but also on the actual scheduling of the observations and corresponding prioritization. Both postdocs will be involved with the science operations of the SAINT-EX ground-based observatory (https://www.saintex.unibe.ch), will also have the opportunity to be involved in the SPECULOOS collaboration (https://www.speculoos.uliege.be) and pursue their own interests. Both successful applicants will develop more awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and the tools for intrapersonal, interpersonal and systemic work to support organizational change.

The positions are funded through a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) SPIRIT grant awarded to UNAM and the University of Bern and will support two postdoctoral researchers up to three years, including these benefits:

• Monthly stipend: $45,000 MXN (depending on exchange rate)
• Health insurance consideration in stipend
• Access to Mexican observing time at San Pedro Mártir Observatory, Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC), Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT), amongst others
• Yearly travel budget for international conferences
• Additional travel budget for collaboration between UNAM and the University of Bern
• Yearly publication costs and computing resources.
• Yearly UNAM holidays (3 weeks during the summer, 3 weeks during winter and 1 week of spring break), plus Mexican federal holidays. 

The deadline for application submissions is Friday 2 February 2024.

Applications are invited from all nationalities. The application materials should be sent to Dr. Yilen Gómez Maqueo Chew ([email protected]) in a single email before the deadline, and should consist of the following:

1. A Curriculum Vitae
2. A research proposal (up to 3 pages)
3. A summary of past achievements (1 page)
4. A full list of publications
5. The names and contact information for 3 references.

Each file should be in PDF format and its filename should contain the applicant’s name or last name and an identifier.

Candidates with previous expertise in exoplanet observations, population synthesis modeling and/or ground-based telescope operations are strongly encouraged to apply.