IAC Resident Astrophysics Programme (Predoctoral Contracts)

Benefit

You get a full four-year employment contract to write your PhD in astrophysics at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) in La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain. This is a salaried job, not a classic grant. The gross salary starts at about 21,095 EUR per year in years one and two, rises to about 22,250 EUR in year three, and reaches about 27,164 EUR in year four. If you defend your thesis before the contract ends, a follow-on postdoctoral phase pays about 28,819 EUR per year. You also get a one-off relocation payment of up to 2,500 EUR (flight plus up to 14 days of accommodation and meals before you start), and up to 6,250 EUR over the contract for research stays of one to three months at other centres. You join one of the IAC's research groups, work with its observatories on Tenerife and La Palma, and attend the annual Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics. The IAC is a Spanish government-recognised centre of excellence, and six of these contracts are on offer.

Eligibility

• Your degree: You hold a degree in physics, mathematics or engineering that qualifies you for the astrophysics PhD programme at the University of La Laguna. That means a completed master's, or a bachelor with at least 300 ECTS credits including 60 at master's level.
• Grades: At least 7.0 out of 10 for a bachelor/licenciatura, or 7.5 out of 10 for a combined bachelor plus master.
• When you graduated: Not before 31 January 2022. This is extended back to 31 August 2019 if you have a disability of 33% or more, or care for a child under 6.
• English: You have at least a B1 certificate (CEFR, the European language level scale) if English is not your native language.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities. EU citizens and legal residents of Spain can start straight away. Others can apply, but need a Spanish residence and work permit before signing the contract.
• Age: At least 16 years old, with no upper age limit below the statutory retirement age.
• No prior PhD funding: You have not held a doctoral title, an earlier predoctoral contract, or other PhD funding.

How to apply

You apply online through the IAC application portal, selecting process code PS-2025-021. The deadline for the 2025 round was 13 July 2025. Selection has two stages: first the panel scores your academic record, grants and publications, then you sit an interview in Spanish or English where you present your profile and answer their questions.

How realistic are your chances?

With six contracts and strict rules on your degree, grades and graduation date, the field is limited to genuinely qualified physics, maths and engineering graduates. Your record carries most of the weight, so strong grades plus research experience or publications are what get you to the interview. If you clearly meet the criteria and can show research aptitude, your prospects are solid. When scores are tied, the IAC favours the under-represented gender.