Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy

This is a nine-month position on the tenure track. Core duties involve instructing astronomy courses, supervising students, and conducting research in astronomy/astrophysics.  PhD required, with emphasis in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or a closely related field.  Classroom instructional experience and Post-Doctoral research experience are preferred. The candidate’s research program must include a direct observational component of some kind.

The selected candidate must be able to: Proficiently instruct introductory astronomy courses, while fostering an active learning environment and making good use of our new “engaging spaces” classroom. Promote development of the burgeoning Minor in Astronomy, and instruct more specialized courses at the upper division for these students. Lead student observing projects and support activities at the near-campus Dominey Observatory (this new facility houses a 27” CDK-700 telescope system from PlaneWave Instruments and is fully wheelchair accessible). Lead grant applications and future observing activities at the “Christmas Mountains” site near Big Bend (our system owns 10,000 acres of land in this dark-sky region, which is suitable for optical and radio astronomy, and a new Long Wavelength Array station has been approved for installation at this site). Develop a strong research program with an observational component that is able to attract external funding and the allocation of time at major telescopes / observatories.