Assistant or Associate Professor, Planetary Science Instrumentalist

The Department of Physics (physics.ucf.edu) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track assistant professor or tenured associate professor position, anticipated to start in August 2018. We seek candidates with expertise in space instrumentation for planetary missions that would complement the current planetary science group at UCF. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Planetary Science or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution and a substantial record of independent, well regarded research. The successful applicant is expected to establish an independent, internationally competitive, externally funded research program and demonstrate excellence and innovation in graduate and undergraduate education.

The UCF Planetary Sciences Group (planets.ucf.edu), housed in both Physics and UCF’s Florida Space Institute (fsi.ucf.edu), includes eight professors, two research-active lecturers, eight soft-money researchers, three postdoctoral associates, and 15 Ph.D. students, most in the Planetary Sciences Track of the Physics Ph.D. Research areas include exoplanet characterization; planetary surfaces, interiors, rings, dust, and formation; comets; asteroids; plasma-surface interactions; coastal geology; surface chemistry; laboratory spectroscopy; in-situ resource utilization; and space medicine. Another search is ongoing in the area of exoplanet atmospheric theory (Assistant Professor, Exoplanet Atmospheric Theorist, https://www.jobswithucf.com/postings/51176). FSI provides a home for soft-money researchers in all areas of space exploration and seed money for new projects. We host a NASA Space Science Exploration Research Virtual Institute node, the Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (sciences.ucf.edu/class/). Up to 80,000 CPU hours/month are available free on campus to each faculty member.

The Department of Physics has 46 faculty, offers B.S., B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees, and is in a state-of-the-art research building. Research-active professors teach one course per semester. UCF is a leading, fast-growing, metropolitan university designated as a highest research activity institution, with a diverse student body of over 66,000 students. We offer a dual-career hiring program, paid parental leave for both parents, and professional development and leadership training for faculty at all career stages.

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources website at https://www.jobswithucf.com/postings/51177. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload: 1) a cover letter including the names, affiliations, and email addresses of at least three references; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) a statement of research accomplishments, plans, and goals; 4) a statement of teaching philosophy, training, and experience; and 5) PDFs of 2–3 recent key publications. The system allows only one upload. Updates to completed applications may be emailed. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2017. New application review will continue until the position is filled; we encourage submission at any time until then. Send questions to Prof. Joshua Colwell, Chair, Planetary Instrumentalist Search Committee, at [email protected].

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.