IUCAA Assistant Professor Astrophysics Recruitment 2026

IUCAA Assistant Professor Astrophysics Recruitment 2026: Overview

The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) is accepting applications for regular faculty positions at its Pune campus, normally at Scientist E or Assistant Professor level. Set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the centre supports astronomy and astrophysics in Indian colleges and universities through its associateship programme, schools and workshops. Its work also includes science popularisation, linking academic research with a wider public audience. The faculty opening sits within a research environment that brings together theory, observations and astronomical instrumentation, with national and international collaborations forming part of the centre's scientific activity.

Posts and Disciplines

• Gravity and cosmology: Current research includes classical and quantum gravity, cosmology and gravitational-wave physics. IUCAA is a partner in the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory India (LIGO-India) consortium, with a leading role in establishing and running the detector.
• Galaxies and high-energy astrophysics: The centre studies how galaxies form and evolve, active galactic nuclei and high-energy astrophysical processes. These are named research areas within the faculty opening's scientific setting, rather than separately numbered posts.
• Matter, magnetic fields and the Sun: Diffuse matter in space, cosmic magnetic fields and solar physics are among IUCAA's current interests. Its participation in the Aditya-L1 solar mission connects this research setting with a major Indian space-science project.
• Observational astronomy: The notice describes work across X-ray, ultraviolet, optical and radio wavelengths. IUCAA participates in AstroSat, the Thirty Meter Telescope and the Southern African Large Telescope, giving the faculty programme links to several major observational projects.
• Instrumentation and laboratory work: Astronomical instrumentation forms part of the centre's research activity. Facilities described in the notice include an instrumentation laboratory, the optical and near-infrared telescope at Girawali Observatory, and a radio physics laboratory used for student training.
• Computational research: A high-performance computing centre and substantial data storage support the research environment. These facilities sit alongside the observational and laboratory resources described on the faculty page.
• Emerging areas: IUCAA also wants to develop activity in extrasolar planets and other emerging fields. You can use your research summary to explain the direction of your work in the context of the centre's stated interests.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Appointment level: Scientist E, corresponding to Assistant Professor, is the normal entry level described on the faculty page. The centre may vary this level for exceptionally qualified applicants.

Application Submission Notes

Send your faculty application electronically to facultyapply@iucaa.in. IUCAA asks you to keep the names of experts familiar with your work in a separate file, alongside the other application material listed in the document requirements.

• Develop an independent research programme in astronomy or astrophysics.
• Conduct theoretical, observational or instrumentation research in your specialisation.
• Publish research findings and present them to the scientific community.
• Guide students and early-career researchers in research methods.
• Contribute to teaching, scientific schools and workshops.
• Collaborate with university researchers and relevant scientific project teams.
• Support astronomy outreach and science popularisation activities.