Assistant Professor - UMD Astronomy

The Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland College Park invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position. Outstanding candidates in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics will be considered, although we particularly encourage applicants who can lead observational research programs that connect well with the present and future landscape of observational facilities and NASA missions (e.g., ALMA, JWST, Rubin, Roman). We are especially interested in candidates with demonstrable synergies with the faculty within the Department. A PhD in physics, astronomy, or a related discipline is required, and the successful candidate must have an established record of research excellence. As the duties of this position include undergraduate and graduate teaching, a potential for teaching excellence is necessary. We are searching for candidates at the Assistant Professor (tenure track) level, but will consider applications for a more senior (tenured) rank in very exceptional cases.

The Department of Astronomy has active observational programs in many areas of astronomy, with access to the 4.3-meter Lowell Discovery Telescope and the Zwicky Transient Facility, as well as successfully competing for time in open facilities such as ALMA and high-energy, ultraviolet, optical, and infrared NASA observatories. In addition to an in-house computing cluster of over 500 cores, members of the Department have access to three larger university clusters, including the world-class 'Zaratan'. The Department has close collaborations with scientists in our departments of Physics, Geology, and Engineering as well as in neighboring institutions such as NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (formalized through the Joint Space Science Institute), the Applied Physics Laboratory, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. Candidates should describe in their application materials how their plans fit within this unique research environment. The Washington DC - Baltimore area is noted as a partner-friendly area due to its many employment opportunities in astronomy and other fields.

The Department of Astronomy has an established culture of collegiality, respect, and collaboration. The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

TO APPLY: For full consideration, complete applications (including letters) must be submitted by December 15, 2023. See https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/114879 for details. Applications should include a cover letter (up to 2 pages), a curriculum vita (including publications), a statement of past and future research (up to 3 pages, not including references), a statement of teaching and advising philosophy (up to 1 page, not including references), and a statement of community engagement (up to 1 page, not including references). This statement of community engagement should outline the candidate’s contributions and future plans to foster diversity, equity, and inclusivity, outreach efforts, or projects that create open and accessible tools. The applicants should also arrange to have three letters of reference submitted through the eTerp application system. Applicants are encouraged to complete applications in advance of the mid-December deadline to give time for the letter writers to submit their letters by December 15, as letters are not requested by the system until an application is complete. Queries concerning the position can be directed to the search administrator, Ms. Olivia Dent ([email protected]).

Background Checks: Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. A prior criminal conviction or convictions will not automatically disqualify a finalist from employment in the position.