IUCAA JRF TANGO Recruitment 2026

IUCAA JRF TANGO Recruitment 2026: Overview

Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, is hiring Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) for TANGO, a project studying compact objects in nearby galaxies. Led by Prof. Chandreyee Maitra, the project is supported by a Max Planck Partner Group grant and links IUCAA with the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Garching, Germany.

The scientific goal is to understand how compact objects form and change across galactic environments, and how their populations connect with star formation, chemical composition and the development of their host galaxies. You will join an international collaboration that brings observations, statistical studies and computer simulations into the same research programme.

Posts and Disciplines

• Observational and data analysis research: This route studies compact objects using X-ray measurements alongside observations at other wavelengths. Possible projects involve identifying sources, comparing catalogues, examining spectra and changes over time, and studying patterns across populations in nearby galaxies.
• Theory and simulation research: This route examines compact objects and their galactic surroundings through computer models. The notice mentions cosmological simulation data, including IllustrisTNG, as well as numerical and N-body simulations, with comparisons between model populations and actual observations.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Project assignment: Your specific research project will depend on your interests, previous experience and aptitude. The notice describes several possible topics within TANGO, so the final assignment is decided for each selected fellow.
• Appointment period: The initial appointment lasts one year. An extension depends on satisfactory performance and the period allowed under the project; the initial offer does not guarantee continued engagement for the full project.
• Project funding: These are temporary project appointments that end with the project. Continuing beyond the initial period also depends on funds being available.
• Joint affiliation: You will have an affiliation with both IUCAA and MPE and work closely with researchers at the two institutions through the international TANGO collaboration.
• Research visits: Visits to MPE in Garching may be possible. They depend on project needs and available funding, so overseas travel is a possibility rather than a guaranteed part of the appointment.
• Interview travel: The project will not provide travel or daily allowances for attending interviews.

Application Submission Notes

Email your application as a single PDF to chandreyee.maitra@iucaa.in, using the subject “Application for JRF Position – Max Planck Partner Group TANGO”. In your cover letter, explain your research interests, relevant past work and reasons for wanting to join TANGO.

You can indicate whether your main interest is observational and data analysis work, numerical and simulation work, or both. IUCAA will contact shortlisted applicants by email about their interview.

• Analyse X-ray and multi-wavelength observations of compact objects.
• Identify and classify astronomical sources in nearby galaxies.
• Study source spectra and changes in emission over time.
• Compare astronomical catalogues and population statistics.
• Analyse numerical or cosmological simulation datasets for the assigned project.
• Compare simulated compact-object populations with observations.
• Collaborate with IUCAA and MPE researchers on TANGO studies.