IAC Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Spain
The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias has announced the IAC Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026, offering an exciting opportunity for early-career researchers in astrophysics and physics. Based in Tenerife, Spain, this prestigious fellowship supports advanced research in galaxy evolution and dark matter studies under a major Galactic Archaeology project.
This fully funded postdoctoral position offers a gross annual salary of approximately €40,300, relocation assistance, social security benefits, and access to world-class observatories. For researchers aiming to strengthen their academic careers in Europe, this fellowship provides a valuable platform to collaborate with leading scientists in one of Europe’s top astrophysics institutes
Degree Level
The IAC Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 is open for applicants with the following degree level:
- Postdoctoral
- Applicants must hold a PhD in Astrophysics or Physics before the application deadline.
Available Subjects
The fellowship is available in the following fields:
- Astrophysics
- Physics
- Galaxy Evolution
- Dark Matter Studies
- Galactic Archaeology
- Near-Field Cosmology
Benefits
The IAC Postdoctoral Fellowship offers a competitive package designed to support researchers financially and professionally:
- Gross annual salary of approximately €40,313
- Social security coverage, including family benefits
- Relocation allowance up to €2,500
- Travel support to Tenerife
- Initial accommodation assistance
- Access to advanced observatories and research facilities
- Opportunity to work with renowned experts in galactic archaeology
- Exposure to major astronomical datasets such as Gaia and cosmological simulations
This package makes the fellowship comparable to a full employment research contract, offering greater stability than many traditional academic grants.
Eligible Nationalities
The fellowship is open to all nationalities. International researchers from around the world are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the IAC Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a PhD in Astrophysics or Physics by the application deadline
- Have a strong academic publication record, preferably including first-author publications
- Demonstrate experience in one or more of the following:
- Near-field cosmology
- Stellar populations
- Dynamical modelling
- Be familiar with astrophysical datasets and simulation tools
- Show research alignment with the fellowship project objectives
Selection is based on:
- Research output and academic achievements
- Relevance of previous work to the project
- Interview performance
Applicants must score at least 72 out of 100 in the overall evaluation process.
Application Procedure
Applicants must follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias application portal.
- Prepare the required documents, which generally include:
- Updated CV
- Research statement
- Publication list
- PhD certificate
- Reference letters
- Submit the online application before the deadline.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.
- Final selection will be based on academic merit and project suitability.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare a strong research profile, as this fellowship is highly competitive.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the IAC Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 is:
28 May 2026
Researchers interested in galaxy evolution, dark matter, and galactic archaeology should consider this fellowship an excellent opportunity to join a leading European research institute and advance their careers through high-impact astrophysics research.
