The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State, University Park campus, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor.

The search is open to any area of astronomy and astrophysics. Areas of particular interest for this year’s search include: the broad areas of exoplanets including theory and observations, planetary sciences, and astronomical instrumentation such as astrophotonics or planetary science instrumentation/missions. The department values interdisciplinarity and is open to the possibility of joint hires with allied departments such as physics, chemistry, statistics, and geosciences. We remain flexible in our direction forward and encourage excellent candidates in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics to apply.

The anticipated starting date for this appointment is summer or fall of 2025. The duties include research, teaching, supervision of student research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and service to the university and the greater professional community. Candidates are expected to demonstrate interest in and capacity for developing a strong, independent research program, and teaching and mentorship excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Applications submitted electronically by November 1, 2024, will receive full consideration, and should include the following:

• A brief cover letter that highlights the applicant’s most relevant qualifications for a faculty position at Penn State.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• Three statements addressing:
  • Research accomplishments, plans, and vision (up to 3 pages, including figures and references),
  • Teaching experience, philosophy, and/or interests (up to 3 pages), and
  • Accomplishments, plans and vision for fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). This should describe how the applicant plans to integrate DEIB into their research, teaching, and other duties at Penn State, consistent with Penn State’s institutional goals and values. (up to 2 pages).

Application materials may comprise no more than 5 documents, each with a size limit 5MB. Applicants may need to combine materials to meet the 5 document limit, and should ensure all documents are uploaded and correct prior to final submission.

In addition to the above materials, applicants should arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to astro-jobs@psu.edu by the same deadline.

Competitive applicants for the rank of Assistant Professor will possess a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, astrophysics, or a related field before beginning employment at Penn State; will demonstrate potential for developing an externally funded and collaborative research program; and will demonstrate the potential to contribute to the department’s and college’s teaching and service missions.

Candidates seeking the rank of Associate Professor should have the same qualifications as the assistant professor, as well as a strong track record of scholarly achievement, external funding, and demonstrated success in teaching and service.

Candidates for Full Professor should have the same qualifications as the associate professor, as well as a track record of research publications, funding, teaching, and service that distinguishes them, nationally or internationally.

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is one of the largest departments in the country, home to a wide variety of teams doing research in theory, observation, and instrumentation. Successful applicants will contribute to a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and collegial research environment. The department hosts the Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds and the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center; it also co-hosts the Center for Astrostatistics in partnership with the Department of Statistics. Penn State strongly promotes related interdisciplinary research via the Consortium for Planetary and Exoplanetary Science and Technology, the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, the Materials Research Institute, and their constituent research centers. Members of the department have access to the Roar supercomputing center at the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, which provides competitive allocations of CPU and GPU computing resources. We participate in many multi-institutional research initiatives, including the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, the 3.5m WIYN telescope, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the Rubin Observatory, and the Allen Telescope Array. Our department is a major partner in the Chandra and Swift X-ray observatories, and home to the Astrophysical Multi-messenger Observatory Network. We have strong connections with the Department of Physics through the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos and its constituent research centers.

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics takes an active role in building a talented and inclusive workforce. Applicants should have a commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive professional environment. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing DEIB in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission as a land-grant institution.

Information regarding benefits may be found at https://hr.psu.edu/.

Questions about the position and the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State may be directed at the Chair of the Faculty Search Committee, Prof. Eric Ford, by e-mail at ebf11@psu.edu.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

About Penn State University

The Pennsylvania State University is a multi-campus, land-grant, public research university that educates students from around the world and supports individuals and communities through integrated programs of teaching, research, and service.

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