Lecturer in Astronomy

Non-Tenure-Track Lecturer Position in Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida

The Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, renewable, non-tenure-accruing position at the rank of Lecturer, beginning August 16, 2019. Applicants will have a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or a closely related field. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and includes a full benefits package. The Department of Astronomy is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their teaching and service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community at the University of Florida.

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Lecturer in Experiential Learning in Astronomy. A central goal of this position will be to help build experiential learning (i.e. hands-on, interactive, or otherwise non-traditional classroom activities) into the department curriculum at all levels. Examples of experiential learning could include, but are not limited to, telescope site visits, direct research participation, and/or development of internship programs. Duties will include a mixture of: serving as lead instructor in formal classes; supporting enhancement and expansion of experiential learning in formal classes led by other faculty instructors; enhancing and expanding informal or outside-the-classroom experiential learning; supporting and/or leading departmental public outreach activities. The University of Florida has significant facilities for hands-on learning, including the Rosemary Hill Observatory, the Campus Teaching Observatory, the University of Florida Radio Observatory, optical and infrared instrumentation laboratories, the HiPerGator computer cluster, and a new remote observing facility that can connect to major observatories around the world. The successful candidate will play a leading role in better incorporating these facilities into the experiential learning opportunities at the University of Florida. We expect that the Lecturer will contribute to these activities in both the undergraduate and graduate learning environments, and will also be actively engaged in mentoring students.

This search is part of a continuing effort by the University of Florida to expand in the area of Astronomy and Astrophysics and follows three tenure-track faculty hires in the Department of Astronomy and three astrophysics-related tenure-track faculty hires in the Department of Physics in the last two years. The department is committed to participate in both the CLAS Beyond 120 (https://www.advising.ufl.edu/beyond120/) and UF Quest (http://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/uf-quest/) initiatives.

Instructions for candidates:

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online at http://apply.interfolio.com/57046 .

A complete application should consist of: (1) a letter of application summarizing the applicant's qualifications, interests, and suitability for the position, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) a statement on teaching goals, (3) a description of research experience and mentoring experience, and how those can feed in to the candidate’s ability to carry out their duties with respect to experiential learning, and (4) a list of at least three references. After initial review, applicants who are chosen to receive further consideration will be asked to request confidential letters of recommendation from the references.

Applications will be reviewed beginning December 11, 2018, and the position will remain open until filled. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be received by December 11, 2018. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law. If an accommodation due to disability is needed in order to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at (800) 955-8771 (TDD).

The Department particularly welcomes applicants who can contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. The university and greater Gainesville communities enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.