Faculty Openings

Applications are invited from Indian citizens for faculty positions at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, India. IUCAA is a premier autonomous research institution set up by the University Grants Commission to promote astronomy and astrophysics in Indian colleges and universities. This is accomplished through an active associateship program and by conducting schools and workshops across the country. IUCAA is also actively engaged in science popularization.

Current research activities at IUCAA span a wide range including Classical and Quantum Gravity, Cosmology, Formation and Evolution of Galaxies, Active Galactic Nuclei, High Energy Astrophysics, Diffuse Matter in Space, Cosmic Magnetic Fields, Solar Physics, Astronomy at X-ray/UV/Optical/Radio wavelengths, Gravitational Wave Physics and Instrumentation. IUCAA is also seeking to build activities in other emerging areas including extrasolar planets.

IUCAA is actively involved in several leading national and international science projects including the Thirty Meter Telescope, the Southern African Large Telescope, India's space based multi-wavelength observatory AstroSat, the Aditya-L1 Solar mission and several others. As a key partner of the LIGO-India consortium, IUCAA has a leading role in the setting up and running of the Gravitational Wave detector in India.

Facilities run by IUCAA include a 2-m optical/near-IR telescope at its Girawali Observatory, a sophisticated Instrumentation Laboratory for development of astronomical instrumentation, a Radio Physics Laboratory for training students and a High Performance Computing centre with a current installed capacity of about 150 Teraflops with over a Petabyte of storage.

Applicants for a faculty position should possess a Ph.D. in Physics (or Astronomy/Astrophysics) and three or more years of post-doctoral research experience.

Appointments will normally be made at the level of Scientist - E (Assistant Professor), but this may be relaxed for exceptionally qualified applicants.

In order to apply kindly send: (a) your CV, (b) List of Publications including your 5 best papers, (c) a summary of your current research activities and future plans, (d) In a separate file, names of at least six experts familiar with your work. These may be mailed electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In order to apply kindly send:

1. Your CV
2. List of Publications including your 5 best papers
3. A summary of your current research activities and future plans
4. A brief teaching statement
5. In a separate file, names of at least six experts familiar with your work.

These may be mailed electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Faculty Positions in UV/ Optical/ IR Instrumentation

The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune invites applications from Indian citizens for up to two faculty positions. The candidates should have demonstrated expertise in UV/optical/IR astronomical instrumentation and technology development. We are looking for a young and driven researcher who can contribute to and enhance the range of activities and projects that the instrumentation laboratory is currently involved in. They should also be motivated to explore and expand into new realms.

The laboratories at IUCAA offer a vibrant and challenging environment for astronomical instrumentation and technology development. They have modern and sophisticated equipment as well as a highly motivated staff, many of whom have decades of experience in various domains (optics, mechanics, electronics, software, cryogenics etc.) of scientific R&D. The laboratory infrastructure is currently being further enhanced with the addition of over 10000 sq.ft. of lab space. In the past two decades or so, several novel instruments have been conceptualized, designed, developed in the labs and commissioned on sky – Robo-AO, RoboPol, SUIT, WALOP etc. are some examples. Many observatories around the world use equipment that are products of the lab R&D. Through its participation in the ASTROSAT and Aditya-L1 missions, the labs have established their credibility in the space astronomy domain also. Several hardware and software development activities as part of India’s participation in the Thirty Metre Telescope International Observatory are led by the lab staff.

Minimum Qualification & Experience:

A Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics or a closely related discipline with minimum three years of relevant work experience either in postdoctoral fellow or equivalent early career positions in academic institutes or in R&D roles in allied industries.

A proven track record of experience and skills is needed in one or more areas from among (1) optical design, (2) mechanical design, (3) electronics design, (4) instrument control and User Interface software design, (5) vacuum and cryogenic design, (6) systems engineering, (7) project management, (8) procurement, (9) AIT techniques, (10) calibration and instrument data analysis, (11) science data analysis, (12) on-sky commissioning, (13) writing and presentation, (14) teaching, (15) outreach. The candidate should be able to understand scientific requirements, quantify them to technical performance specifications and finally create engineering requirement matrices. He or she should be willing to go out of the comfort zones for developing novel instrumentation techniques and exploring new technological developments for their potential applications in astronomy.

Desirable Experience:

Any direct experience working with design and analysis software packages like Zemax, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, COMSOL etc. will be an added advantage. Similarly, familiarity of standard science data analysis packages will strengthen the application. Please bring out if you have worked with (including leading) a team consisting of members with different skills and experiences such as engineers, students, postdocs, faculty etc.

Job Profile:

Appointments will normally be made at the level of Scientist-E (Level-12), but the offer made may be a step lower or higher depending on the experience and skills of the candidate. The successful candidate will:

1. Lead the development of new UV/optical/IR instruments and technologies for ground and space based observatory facilities
2. Work with other instrumentation faculty members, laboratory staff
3. Supervise postdocs and students
4. Establish collaborations with groups in the institute, within the country and internationally
5. Seek extra-mural funding from public and private agencies in India and abroad
6. Contribute to IUCAA’s pedagogic and science outreach activities
7. Strive to work with faculties in Indian Universities for training, research as well as curriculum development
8. Enhance the overall intellectual environment at IUCAA
9. Pursue possibilities for exploiting technologies developed in the labs for the wider benefit of the society, especially outside the domain of astronomy

Benefits and Facilities:

IUCAA is an autonomous institute under the University Grants Commission of the Government of India. It is located within the SP Pune University campus which is a quiet, green oasis within Pune city. Next to IUCAA is the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics. IUCAA follows all government norms for remunerations and service conditions as are applicable to such institutions. This includes in addition to salary, leave and pension benefits, on-campus accommodation, medical cover for self and eligible family members etc. The residential campus has a recreation centre, a gymnasium and a day care centre for children, all available to IUCAA staff at very nominal charges. A bank and a doctor’s clinic operate in the campus.

Application Instructions:

The application package should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The package should include:

1. A cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae including list of publications; Please attach one or two important, but unpublished technical reports also, if any
3. Statement* of experience explaining instrumentation/technology development projects that you have worked on, clearly bringing out the team composition and your specific role(s) in the team
4. Statement* of research explaining how you will contribute to the existing R&D programmes at IUCAA and enhance it by bringing new technologies and instrument development activities
5. Statement* of how you will contribute to other activities at IUCAA such as teaching, mentoring. University interactions, science outreach etc.
6. In a separate file, provide the names, designations, affiliations and contact details of around six experts who are either familiar with your work or are domain experts who can comment on your work. There is no need for you to arrange reference letters at this stage.

*each of the statements should not exceed three pages.

Priority will be given to applications received by February 16, 2025. However, late applications may be considered at the discretion of the institute.

If you have any queries, you may write to Prof. A. N. Ramaprakash at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..in with a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..