CENAMAD National Center of Excellence | Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
4 Positions Available · Start: 1 April 2027 · Duration: 2 or 3 years
Estimated funding: ~USD 35,000 / year

About the position

CENAMAD, Chile’s National Center of Excellence for the Timber Industry (https://cenamad.cl), is seeking outstanding candidates to join our research team as Postdoctoral Fellows. CENAMAD is a multidisciplinary Center of Excellence funded by ANID since 2021 to advance timber construction, forest bioproducts and forest sustainability, integrating 40+ professors and a strong professional team across leading Chilean universities.

The researchers sought in this call will work on:

• Numerical seismic design and assessment of hybrid timber structures (e.g., timber-concrete and timber-steel systems), with a strong focus on advanced finite element (FE) modelling and Performance-Based Engineering (PBE) — including collapse assessment, economic loss estimation, and downtime evaluation.

Host Professors and Research Areas at CENAMAD

Note: Four (4) positions are available across these four host professors. Applicants must indicate their preferred host professor in the application; the final assignment will depend on the strength of the proposal and the host professor’s availability.

Funding framework

All positions are funded through the Concurso Fondecyt de Postdoctorado 2027 of the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID): https://anid.cl/concursos/concurso-fondecyt-de-postdoctorado-2027/. Selected candidates will be supported by CENAMAD throughout the FONDECYT application process.

Internal UC competition: In parallel, candidates are encouraged to apply to the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile internal Postdoctoral Competition. Both calls are complementary and applying to both is strongly recommended.

International collaboration: Postdoctoral fellows will conduct part of their work in collaboration with leading research groups at Politecnico di Milano (Italy, with Prof. Giovanni Muciaccia), University College London (UK, with Prof. Fabio Freddi and Prof. Carmine Galasso), and the Universidade da Coruña (Spain, with Prof. Pablo Guindos). Visiting research stays abroad are possible during the appointment.

Who can apply?

Applicants are expected to meet the following minimum requirements:

• Hold a PhD in Civil/Structural Engineering, Earthquake Engineering, Timber Engineering, or any closely related field. The PhD must be awarded between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2026 (or proof of imminent defense, in which case the diploma must be obtained no later than 30 June 2026). Researchers who, at the time of applying, completed their PhD more than 5 years ago will not be eligible.
• Demonstrated research expertise in timber structural modelling. A medium-to-high level of expertise with timber materials and timber structures is expected.
• Strong background in nonlinear finite element (FE) modelling and/or nonlinear dynamic analysis.
• Advanced English proficiency. Working knowledge of Spanish is recommended but not required.
• Track record of at least 3 publications in WoS-indexed Q1–Q2 journals over the last 3 years (period extended for parental leave or disability, in line with FONDECYT rules).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to work both independently and within a strongly interdisciplinary team.
• Willingness to conduct the research in Chile, with at least 6 months of in-country residence per year of execution. Visiting stays abroad are possible subject to ANID/CENAMAD approval.

What are the duties?

The postdoctoral fellow is expected to lead a high-quality research line in close collaboration with the host professor and the broader CENAMAD network, co-supervise graduate students, develop independent research and publish in high-impact international journals.

The main functions and key performance indicators are:

• 2 scientific articles per year in Q1 or Q2 WoS-indexed journals; at least one article published and the second submitted or under review (Ɨ). The DOI of published articles will be requested at the end of each annual period as means of verification. The fellow must be listed as first author on at least one of the publications.
• Apply annually to at least one of ANID’s funding competitions (Fondecyt Iniciación or Fondecyt Regular, in addition to the present Fondecyt Postdoctorado) until an award is obtained.
• Co-formulate two project applications per year together with the host professor for independent funding through public competitive funds or private/industry funds (ǂ).
• At least one oral presentation per year at a national or international scientific conference.
• Contribute to ongoing internal CENAMAD research projects, external projects, training and/or transfer activities, as deemed necessary by the host professor.
• Co-supervise at least one graduate student (MSc or PhD) during the appointment, as deemed necessary by the host professor.
• Acknowledge ANID and CENAMAD in all outputs (papers, presentations, patents, software) using the format: “ANID + Programa + Folio (Project Code)” and crediting CENAMAD.

(Ɨ) If during the first year the fellow does not meet the publication target, the pending publications must be compensated by the end of the second year, reaching the total accumulated number across the two-year period.

(ǂ) For fellows who have not yet been awarded ANID funding, at least one of the two annual applications must be submitted with the postdoctoral fellow as Principal Investigator (Investigador/a Responsable).

Funding and administrative details

The position is funded by the Fondecyt Postdoctorado programme of ANID. All amounts below are estimates based on the 2026 call and may be adjusted by ANID for the 2027 call.

Funding (estimated, per year of execution)

• Position start date: 1 April 2027.
• Duration: 2 or 3 years, defined in the proposal.
• Dedication: exclusive to the project. Up to 6 hours/week of additional paid academic, research or extension activities are permitted, with prior notification to the host professor.
• Residence: the research must be conducted in Chile; the IR must remain in the country at least 6 months per year of execution. Foreign researchers must obtain a definitive or temporary Chilean residence visa before signing the FONDECYT funding agreement.
• Tax and social security: the IR will issue boletas de honorarios and must register before the SII and contribute to the Chilean social security system, in accordance with Law N°21.133.
• Sponsoring institution: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (host professor’s campus). Contract management is handled by UC.

How can I apply?

Evaluation criteria

• Quality, viability and scientific novelty of the proposal: 80%
• Academic and research career of the applicant: 20%

Required application materials

Please send only the documents listed below (English preferred):

• Updated CV in English.
• PhD diploma and detailed transcript of grades (not only the GPA), or proof of enrolment if you are in the final stage of the PhD with a defense scheduled before 30 June 2026.
• Undergraduate and master’s diplomas and grade transcripts (if applicable).
• List of WoS-indexed publications (with DOIs).
• A one-page abstract of the proposed research project, indicating the preferred host professor and how the proposal aligns with their research focus.
• List of documented outreach and knowledge-transfer activities (e.g., public talks, science communication, industry engagement).
• Two reference letters.
• Copy of passport or Chilean cédula de identidad.

How to submit

Send the application package by email to contacto@cenamad.cl, with the subject line “[CENAMAD] Fondecyt Postdoc 2027 — Application”. Administrative inquiries can be directed to Ms. Romina Rubio (romina.rubio@uc.cl).

Application deadline (estimated): 15 July 2026. Final deadlines will be aligned with the official ANID Fondecyt Postdoctorado 2027 calendar once published.

After internal pre-selection by CENAMAD, the chosen candidate(s) will work jointly with the host professor on the FONDECYT proposal, which must be submitted through the ANID online platform within the call deadlines. Final award and start of the position are subject to ANID adjudication.