The IAC (Tenerife) invites applications for TWO postdoctoral fellowships in Astrophysics to work on the project linked to the line of research “Exoplanets and Astrobiology” in the framework of the European Research Council Advanced Grant funded project “Sub-Neptunes as Predecessors for Earth-like planets Atmospheric Research for Habitability with the ELTs (SPEAR) HORIZON-ERC-2024-ADG, Grant Agreement number 10120067, led by Prof. Enric Pallé.

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: Solar Physics (FS), Exoplanetary System and Solar System (SEYSS), Stellar and Interstellar Physics (FEEI), The Milky Way and The Local Group (MWLG), Formation and Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG), and Cosmology and Astroparticles (CYA-CTA). All of these are supported by an ambitious instrumentation programme. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the 10.4m GTC is available at the IAC's web page: https://www.iac.es/en

Role and Research Environment: The ERC-funded SPEAR project is an ambitious one, aiming at habilitating the characterization of small earth-size planets in the habitable zone of their stars, with the upcoming ANDES instrument at the European ELT (and similar instrumentation at other ELTs). The selected candidates are expected to spend the majority of their time to contribute to this effort.

However, the successful candidates will also have the opportunity to join the dynamic "Exoplanets and Astrobiology" group at the IAC, which actively participates in the Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) programs of the MuSCAT2 collaboration, the CHEOPS satellite, and the CARMENES and ESPRESSO spectrographs. The group plays a leading role in the development of major international missions such as the ARIEL and PLATO space missions, as well as the ANDES and HARMONI instruments for the ELT. Furthermore, the group is deeply involved in the follow-up of the TESS mission and maintains a strong, active research focus on the characterization of planetary atmospheres.

A strong publication record is expected, as well as independence and leadership capacity, demonstrated in the achievement of original lines of research, and the lead of successful observing proposals or funding applications. Given the long duration of the contracts, successful candidates will be also given the opportunity to direct PhD and master thesis students, and in due time will be expected to integrate and apply for additional funding within the Spanish and EU programs. 

In particular, the successful candidates will be pursuing research in the following fields:

• Detection and characterization of exoplanet atmospheres
• Detailed simulations of planetary atmospheres and detectability studies
• Model development of 3D stellar atmospheres
• Applications of machine learning and AI to exoplanet data analysis
• Biomarkers and habitability of Earth-like planets

Particular attention will be given to applicants with experience in the fields of exoplanet atmospheric characterization with high-resolution spectrographs, machine learning and AI applied to astronomical problems (including exoplanets) and experience with 3D, non-LTE stellar and planetary models. 

Requirements: The candidates must have an excellent research record, commensurate with the duration of their research career. They must be in possession of a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics or Physics by the application deadline. 

Applications from candidates not in possession of a PhD will be rejected without further consideration. 

Candidates who prepared their thesis at the IAC have to present accreditations of complementary training at other research centers (this period should be either 1 continuous year or 18 accumulated months) by the application deadline. The IAC is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.

Selection process: The selection process consists of two phases: merit assessment and interview.

1. First phase: merit assessment. The Selection Panel will verify and rate the merits documented by the applicants. The maximum score that can be awarded in this phase is 80 points, calculated as the sum of the scores obtained in each of the following two sections.

a) CV (maximum score: 60 points). Main criteria will be:

• Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research, especially those listed in the Science Citation Index, in relation to the duration of the candidate’s scientific career. Of special importance are the first-authored papers by the candidate.
• Appointments and stays (at the PhD or postdoctoral level) in prestigious research institutions.
• Conference contributions, especially those leading to publications.
• Other indicators of research activity and motivation (like invitations to lectures, organization of meetings, and teaching at University level).
• Any periods of inactivity for medical reasons, maternity/paternity leaves, elderly care, or due to training or professional experience in other fields will be taken into account. 

b)  Adequacy to the objectives of the contract (maximum score 20 points)

Adequacy of the candidate’s training and experience to these contracts. 

• Experience in transmission spectroscopy studies, from ground or space, at low and high spectral resolution
• Experience in the application of machine learning methods into practical research problems in astrophysics
• Demonstrated ability to develop state-of-the-art stellar and/or planetary model atmospheres
• Independence, leadership and collaborative skills
• Good communication skills
• Programming skills in Python or Pyraf and in the use of standard pipelines for advanced instrumentation such as JWST, HST or the VLTs.

Form of accreditation for both sections: A report of the candidate's technical and research activity, accompanied by documentation accrediting the activities mentioned. 

2) Second phase: interview. (maximum score 20 points)

• Candidates who have obtained at least 50 points in the first phase will be invited to an interview. The interview may be given in either Spanish or English (as chosen by the candidate) and take place using internet communication software (Zoom) that allows voice and image transmission.
• During the interview, the candidate will present, for a maximum of 10 minutes, his/her vision about the suitability of his/her professional profile to the position and the planned research activity if awarded the contract. The presentation may be followed by questions by the Selection Committee.

Of the maximum 20 points to be awarded:

• Up to 10 points correspond to the suitability of the candidate’s profile to the position
• Up to 10 points correspond to the candidate's vision for their future research activity.

To pass the second phase a minimum score of 15 points will be necessary.

To pass the selective process, a minimum of 65 points must be reached. If there is a draw in the score of two or more candidates, priorities will be set according to the Equality Plan of the IAC. 

Duration: The contract will be of indefinite duration. It is estimated that the date of commencement will be during the first half of 2026. The current funding horizon for the project ends on December 31, 2030.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 39.330 Euros, with deductions of up to 20% for income tax (IRPF) and social security (dependent on the candidate's personal situation). The contract provides social security cover for spouse or de facto partner and children.

Extra financial support to start the contract: The present job offer includes financial support related to the incorporation of the selected candidate at the IAC. You may apply for up to 2500€ to cover any necessary - and duly documented - relocation costs when you take up your post at any IAC workplace. These costs must fall under the following categories and must have been incurred within a period of 14 days prior to the date of the commencement of your contract: 

(1) Plane or boat ticket from your former place residence to Tenerife (arranged by the IAC). The price of the ticket will be at the cheapest rate. Your ticket fare includes one cabin bag (56x40x25, 10 kg maximum) as hand luggage, and one piece as a checked baggage (158cm and 23 kg, maximum).

(2) Accommodation costs for the two weeks (13 nights). 

(3) A per diem of 37.40€ x 14 days. 

No other expenses (bus, train, taxi, etc.) shall be reimbursed. This grant is considered as taxable income and the corresponding taxes (IRPF*), payable by physical persons, will be retained.

Those researchers who, having benefited from it in the past, have not passed 12 months since the last termination of their contract at the IAC, cannot be beneficiaries of this grant. In addition, those researchers whose place of residence, at the time of their application, is Tenerife will not be able to benefit either.

Applicants from outside the EU: Successful applicants who are not citizens of a member country of the European Union must keep in mind that, prior to signing the contract, they must obtain a residence and work permit (NIE card) from the Spanish immigration authorities.

Presentation of applications: Applications must be submitted electronically through the telematic application system  https://iac.sede.gob.es/en/procedimiento/portada.html?idProc=100501Alternatively, you may follow the instructions given in the corresponding official advertisement on our website. 

The following documentation must be sent:

• Online application including the name and position code (PS-2025-077)
• Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
• Copy of your PhD. degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree, only in Spanish or English. (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process)
• Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed. If this document is not included in the application it will be definitively excluded from the selective process).
• Certificate of training in other centers (only for applicants that have completed their doctorate at the IAC).

You should also include the names and email addresses of two or three scientists familiar with your work.Applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically rejected, as will those unaccompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, Research Activity Report, copy of the Degree, documents that cannot be corrected or added to after submission. Applications not accompanied by these documents will therefore definitely be excluded from the selection process. If any other required documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five working days after publication of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates.

The IAC supports and adheres to the Recommendation of the European Commission 2005/251/EC of March 11th 2005 on “The European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” adopted by the European Commission. Additionally, the IAC is aligned with the "Human Resources Strategy for Researchers" (HRS4R) fostered by the European Commission to support the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C), having received recognition from the European Commission, with the award of the distinction "Excellence in Human Resources in Research".

Application deadline: NOVEMBER 16, 2025

Contact: For further information about the scientific aspects of this opening, please contact the head of the project at the IAC PI, Prof. Enric Pallé (epalle at iac.es).