Faculty Opportunities at the Institute of Astrophysics, PUC

The Institute of Astrophysics (IA) at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) is delighted to announce openings for at least two faculty positions at the assistant or associate professor levels, depending on qualifications.

We are seeking individuals with a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, or related fields who have demonstrated excellence in independent research and teaching. Our search encompasses all areas of astrophysics research and instrumentation, including interdisciplinary studies.​

Successful candidates will become integral members of our dynamic international community, which includes 14 faculty members, approximately 50 graduate students, and over 15 postdoctoral researchers. Our institute is actively engaged in research areas such as cosmology, extragalactic and Galactic astronomy, stellar astrophysics, astrochemistry, exoplanets and planetary sciences, astronomical instrumentation, high-energy astrophysics, theoretical astrophysics, and numerical simulations. We offer a vibrant scientific environment with a strong visitor program, weekly seminars, colloquia, and daily Astro-ph discussions, fostering rich academic and social experiences with ample opportunities for networking and collaboration. Additionally, our members are part of the French-Chilean Laboratory for Astronomy (FCLA) y the Center for Astrophysics and Related Technologies (CATA).

Privileged Access to Observatories in Chile

As faculty members, appointees will have privileged access to 10% of the observing time on all international observatories located in Chile, including VLT, Gemini, Magellan, CTIO, SOAR, APEX, ALMA, and upcoming facilities such as the Rubin Observatory, CTA, E-ELT, Simons Observatory, and GMT. The institute also hosts several high-performance computing resources for numerical simulations and large-volume data analysis. Teaching responsibilities will primarily involve astrophysics courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. While proficiency in Spanish is not required at the time of application, candidates should be willing to teach in Spanish within approximately a year.

Application

Applicants are invited to submit a curriculum vitae, concise statements of research interests and teaching philosophy, and the names of three referees who may be contacted for reference letters. Applications should be submitted using this form by May 31st, 2025. Late applications may be considered until the positions are filled. For further information please contact Prof. Felipe Barrientos at felipe.barrientos@uc.cl.

Commitment to Diversity

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is committed to equal opportunity and diversity in its workforce, including but not limited to religious freedom. We strongly encourage all qualified applicants to apply. The university actively promotes gender equality in all selection processes.