Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias - IAC Resident Astrophysics Programme (Predoctoral Contracts)

What you get

You will be offered a paid employment contract as a PhD student at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) in La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain, to undertake a PhD in astrophysics or astronomical instrumentation. The gross annual salary increases over time: approximately 21,095 EUR in the first and second years, approximately 22,250 euros in the third year and approximately 27,164 euros in the fourth year. The contract is valid for up to 4 years and will be renewed annually, provided your progress is assessed positively. You will also receive a relocation allowance of up to 2,500 EUR (flight plus a two-week stay) as well as up to 6,250 EUR per thesis for short research stays of one to three months at other institutions. The IAC awards six of these contracts. The research areas include solar physics, planetary systems, stars and the interstellar medium, galaxy formation, the Milky Way, cosmology and astroparticle physics.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold a university degree in physics, mathematics or engineering.
• Level: You meet the entry requirements for the PhD programme in Astrophysics at the University of La Laguna: a Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 300 ECTS credits, of which 60 were obtained at Master’s level.
• Grades: You have completed at least 7.0 of 10 (state examination or Licenciatura) or 7.5 of 10 in a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s programme.
• When you graduated: You completed your degree on or after 31 January 2022. You may have completed your degree earlier if you have a disability of 33% or more, or if you were caring for a child under the age of six.
• English: You must have a level B1 or higher in English if you are not a native speaker.
• No earlier PhD funding: You have never received a PhD scholarship or a pre-PhD contract (prior to your PhD) at the IAC or a similar institution, and you do not yet hold a PhD.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Applicants from non-EU countries must have a valid Spanish work permit before signing their contract; the IAC will assist with the visa application process.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the Spanish Government’s E-Services portal, quoting the code PS-2025-021. The deadline for applications is 13 July. The selection process consists of two stages. First, your academic results, research experience and publications will be assessed, and you must achieve a minimum score. Shortlisted candidates will then undergo a brief interview in Spanish or English.

How realistic are your chances?

Competition is fierce. You need a degree in physics, mathematics or engineering with very good grades, as well as a genuine desire to pursue a PhD in astrophysics – which already rules out most applicants. Only six places are available, and the IAC is a renowned research centre, so the remaining applicants are highly competitive. If your academic performance clearly exceeds the required standards and you have research experience or publications to your name, your prospects are good.