Join a Leading Research Environment in Latin America – Call for Postdoctoral Fellowship Sponsorships at IA-PUC and AIUC

The Institute of Astrophysics at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (IA-PUC), in partnership with the Center for Astro-Engineering (AIUC), invites applications for postdoctoral fellowship sponsorships in observational, theoretical, and computational astrophysics, as well as astronomical instrumentation.

We are seeking talented early-career researchers interested in applying for 3-year FONDECYT postdoctoral fellowships from the Chilean national funding agency ANID, or other national/international programs. Selected candidates will be sponsored by one or more IA-PUC or AIUC faculty members and are expected to lead independent, cutting-edge research in close collaboration with their sponsor(s).

Why Join Us?

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is one of the top-ranked universities in Latin America, committed to building a healthy, forward-looking academic environment that fosters excellence in research with clear institutional support, strong leadership, and a vision for global impact. We believe “the university is all of us” — and we offer space for both individual growth and collaborative excellence.

At IA-PUC/AIUC you will find:

• A dynamic, international research hub with:
  • 14 faculty members
  • 15+ postdocs (~50% supported by FONDECYT)
  • 50+ graduate students
• Strong undergraduate and graduate programs, attracting top science students in Chile
• Active leadership in national and international projects including CATA, MOONS, LACEGAL, and more
• Opportunities to contribute to the development of new astronomical instrumentation
• Membership in key international collaborations: Frontier Fields, NGFS/NGVS, LAGER, PESSTO, AHA, COSMOS, BASS, SDSS-V, LSST/DESC, VVV, ACT, Simons Observatory, CTA, SWGO, and others
• Member institution of the French-Chilean Laboratory for Astronomy (FCLA)
• On the computational side, the institute offers access to two supercomputers and a GPU cluster, available for large-scale simulations and data analysis.
• We operate two observatories: Santa-Martina Observatory focused on instrumentation, research and teaching, and the Foster Observatory focused on public outreach.

Privileged Access to World-Class Observatories

Postdoctoral fellows benefit from privileged access to 10% of all telescope time in Chile, including:

• ESO (VLT, VISTA, VST, La Silla)
• Gemini-South, Magellan, Blanco/CTIO, SOAR, Las Campanas Observatory
• ALMA, APEX, ASTE

We are also engaged with next-generation facilities such as the ELT, LSST, GMT, CTA, and SWGO.

Eligibility

Your PhD must be awarded between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2025 (extended to January 1, 2021, for women who recently had a child). The degree must be granted before the application deadline.

Fellowship Start Date: April 1st, 2026

How to Apply

In preparation for the ANID FONDECYT Postdoctoral Fellowship call for applications (deadline: 27 de mayo, 2025 16:00 h CLT), we strongly encourage early contact with IA-PUC or AIUC faculty aligned with your research interests.

• Submit your CV using this form: Postdoc Application Form
• For questions, contact Prof. Julio Chanamé at jchaname@astro.puc.cl

Further details on salary, benefits, and living conditions: International Postdoc Info – Facultad de Física UC.

Commitment to Diversity

IA-PUC and AIUC are equal opportunity institutions. We strongly encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. Join our growing, diverse, and collaborative scientific community at one of Latin America’s top research institutions.