Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of North Carolina Asheville, a public liberal arts and sciences university, seeks qualified applicants with expertise in Astronomy/Astrophysics and particularly Radio Astronomy and/or Galactic Astronomy for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant professor position that will begin in the fall semester of 2025. Experience in curricular development is advantageous to support ongoing efforts in our existing Physics and Astronomy curriculum and our forthcoming Astronomy major. The successful candidate must have earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or closely related discipline prior to July 1, 2025 and will be expected to teach 12 contact hours per semester (typically three or four classes); establish their scholarly activities that involves undergraduates; and engage in service to the institution, the community, and the profession. The department is particularly interested in individuals with expertise to teach courses and conduct research in Radio and/or Galactic Astronomy. Individuals with demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong commitment to undergraduate education, and a well-developed plan to establish an active research program that involves mentoring students are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the core curriculum and engage in departmental and university-level service.

Teaching duties will primarily include contributions to our general education courses in either astronomy or physics. Additionally, candidates will develop upper-level courses within their area of expertise, which may include existing courses such as Classical Mechanics, or Astrophysics, or new courses not currently listed in the catalog. Opportunities also exist for developing courses outside of the department that contribute to the liberal arts and sciences core curriculum. We are seeking candidates with a passion for undergraduate teaching who will join us in our mission to ensure that our curriculum and community welcomes, reflects, and celebrates a diversity of perspectives, lived experiences, and identities.

UNC Asheville values interdisciplinary perspectives, often incorporated in teaching within the core curriculum. Multidisciplinary perspectives are welcomed, as is pedagogical collaboration with colleagues from across the campus. UNC Asheville has also been a national leader in undergraduate research for over 30 years, and over 67% of our students graduate each year having been involved in this important learning experience. The University fully embraces the idea of mentored undergraduate research being one of the highest forms of teaching, and the institution values success in this facet of a faculty member's work. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position must be able to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable, highly productive, and preferably externally funded scholarly activities that includes undergraduates.

Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. Complete applications require a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy that includes interest in or potential for interdisciplinary teaching outside of the department, statement of planned scholarship and creative activities, undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts. Each applicant should also request three letters of reference to be sent separately that address the candidate's written, verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop successful, externally funded scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin November 4th, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Inquires may be directed to James Perkins jperkins@unca.edu Chair and Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy.

UNC Asheville is committed to equality and diversity of experiences for our students, applicants, and employees. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, and ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.

A PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or related field with expertise in Radio and/or Galactic Astronomy earned prior to July 1, 2025 is required for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate through application materials and in the interview that they have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education, a concrete research agenda that includes the mentoring of undergraduate students, a desire to contribute to general education requirements, and have interests in interdisciplinary work across the university.

Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned.