Assistant Professor of Astrophysics

Position Title:  Assistant Professor of Astrophysics

Open Date: Oct 8, 2018

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The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Vanderbilt University seeks an outstanding individual for a tenure-track faculty position in gravitational wave astrophysics. The candidate will be expected to develop an independent and vigorous research program involving observational, computational, or theoretical approaches to understanding what gravitational waves reveal about the Universe. Preference will be given to individuals with expertise in multi-messenger astrophysics, combining gravitational wave astrophysics with other information, such as from photons and/or neutrinos.

The Astrophysics group has access to ample computational, observational, and data science resources to facilitate research, mentoring, and education. On the hardware side, ACCRE, an on-campus 6000-node computing cluster, contains both CPU and GPU architecture and a hands-on support team, led by Physics & Astronomy faculty. On the observational front, Vanderbilt is a partner in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey 4 and 5, owns KELT South, a time domain transit survey for exoplanets, and has access to the SMARTS telescope network. Astronomy faculty hold leadership positions in LISA, a NASA/ESA gravitational wave mission, and TESS, a NASA transiting exoplanet mission. In addition, under the leadership of Astronomy faculty, Vanderbilt launched a new Data Science Institute, which will feature training, infrastructure, and support for data-intensive work.

Vanderbilt University is a private research university ranked in the top 15 nationally; its 330-acre park-like campus is located on the western edge of downtown Nashville, TN, known colloquially as Music City and consistently rated as one of the best cities in the US in which to live and work.

Vanderbilt University has a strong institutional commitment to fostering excellence through an academically and culturally diverse community of scholars. For example, the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program was founded in the Physics & Astronomy department and has become a national model for the recruitment, retention, and training of talented underrepresented minority scholars in physics and astronomy. Given our diverse cohorts of undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs, we welcome candidates with experience in equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching, mentoring, research, life experiences, or service.

Qualifications:

A PhD in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics is expected. The successful candidate is expected to build and maintain an excellent research program, teach and mentor a diverse cohort of undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs, and broadly contribute to the vitality of the University.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit (1) a cover letter, (2) full curriculum vitae, (3) statement of research interests, (4) statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy, and (5) a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service directly to http://apply.interfolio.com/55943.  Applicants should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be uploaded via the same link. Review of applications will begin November 15 and continue until the position is filled.

Questions can be directed to [email protected] .

Vanderbilt University has a strong institutional commitment to recruiting and retaining an academically and culturally diverse community of faculty. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups, in particular, are encouraged to apply. Vanderbilt is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.