FONDECYT postdoctoral research projects in Physics, Astronomy, and Physics Education at Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación (UMCE, Santiago, Chile)

The UMCE Physics Dept. is searching for candidates who may propose research projects to the Chilean funding agency FONDECYT, sponsored by our professors:

• Luis Barrera ([email protected]): Solar System, stellar astrophysics
• Mauricio Contreras ([email protected]): theoretical physics, gravitation, econophysics
• Cristián Cortés ([email protected]): stellar astrophysics, variable stars, chemical abundances
• Jorge Pinochet ([email protected]): physics education, astronomy education
• Andreas Reisenegger ([email protected]): neutron stars, high-energy astrophysics, CTA and SWGO collaborations

Chile hosts many of the largest telescopes in the world, 10% of whose observing time is reserved to local scientists. It will also host several next-generation telescopes, including the Vera C. Rubin Observatory (LSST), Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), and Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). Santiago has become an important center for Physics and Astronomy, with research groups at several universities and other institutions.

FONDECYT has an open call with deadline 28 April 2022 for 2- or 3-year postdoctoral grants starting on 15 April 2023 and covering salary, research expenses, and a relocation allowance. Candidates should have obtained their PhD between 1 January 2019 and 31 August 2022, with extensions to earlier dates for female applicants who have had children since then.

We urge candidates to contact ASAP the professor closest to their interests, sending their CV (including PhD graduation date and a list of publications) and a brief description of research interests.