The Governing Council (Consejo Rector) of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), chaired by the Spanish Minister for Science and Innovation, invites applications for the position of IAC Director.

The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias is a public consortium made up of the Spanish State (Administración General del Estado Español), the Community of the Canary Islands (Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias), the Universidad de La Laguna (ULL) and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). IAC is a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence.

The Mission of the IAC is:

• To carry out and promote all kinds of astrophysical or related research and develop and transfer its associated technologies.
• To disseminate astronomical knowledge by collaborating in specialized university studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics and training scientific and technical personnel in all fields related to Astrophysics.
• To manage the Canary Islands Observatories, which host more than 40 astronomical facilities, including the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC).

The IAC has the following centres and observatories:

• The Instituto de Astrofísica, central IAC office (La Laguna, Tenerife)
• The Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife)
• The Centro de Astrofísica en La Palma (La Palma)
• The Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (La Palma)
• The Technology Centre IACTEC (La Laguna, Tenerife)

The Director shall be an active astrophysicist of recognized international prestige with proven experience in the leadership of international projects and proven skills in leading high-impact research teams. Experience in managing research institutions would be an asset. 

The Director of the IAC is the executive body of the Governing Council; responsible for the execution of all plans approved by the Council, the budget,  the science and technology policy, staff recruitment, national and international agreements and resolving administrative, financial and personnel issues per the guidelines established by the Governing Council.

Detailed information about the mission and organization of the IAC can be found in its approved statutes:

IAC Statutes

All applications will be treated confidentially. They shall include two PDF files:

• A curriculum vitae,
• A supporting statement including the relevant experience and accomplishments, the candidate’s vision for the evolution of the IAC, and any additional information the candidate considers relevant.

All applications received by April 1, 2023 will be given full consideration.

The applications will be evaluated by an external scientific advisory committee which will shortlist three final candidates, from which the IAC Governing Council will appoint the new Director.

Contract:

The initial contract, starting January 2024, is for a period of five years,  which may be extended by a single consecutive period of five years.

The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.

Please send applications by email to:

directorsearch@iac.edu.es

Questions related to this job offer should be directed to:

directorsearch@iac.edu.es

For informal enquiries, please contact:

Prof. Rafael Rebolo, IAC Director (+34 922605201)

Information about the IAC:

www.iac.es

gtc.iac.es