Assistant or Associate Professor of Astronomy

Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor of Astronomy, with an anticipated start date of August 2027. Candidates may focus their research on any area of astronomy, including observational astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, numerical or computational modeling, and instrumentation. The school is particularly interested in instrument builders who can use ASU’s access to world-class telescopes through Steward Observatory and help position SESE for early science with the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and Habitable Worlds Observatory.

The successful candidate will join SESE’s interdisciplinary community across astronomy and astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, geology, instrumentation, computation, and space missions. The position offers opportunities to develop collaborations across ASU and participate in ground- and space-based missions and observatories. The role is based on the ASU Tempe Campus in Tempe, Arizona, and requires physical presence there; working from another location requires additional approval, which is not guaranteed.

The successful candidate will conduct an independent, high-impact research program; pursue external funding; lead research projects and collaborations; publish and present scholarly work; teach undergraduate and graduate astronomy courses; mentor students; and contribute service to the School, College, University, and profession. SESE provides an interdisciplinary environment, shared research facilities, instrumentation and engineering resources, computational resources, and opportunities to participate in astronomical surveys, observing programs, and space missions.

Requirements

• PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Planetary Science, Engineering, or a related field by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated record of research excellence and the ability, commensurate with rank, to establish and sustain an independent, internationally recognized research program.
• Demonstrated experience or potential, commensurate with rank, to develop competitive proposals and secure external research funding.
• Track record of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.

Nice To Haves

• Research achievements and scholarly productivity demonstrated through publications, presentations, software development, instrumentation contributions, successful competitive proposals, awards, or other accomplishments indicating the ability to develop a high-impact research program.
• Experience working with a broad student population and fostering academic excellence in a respectful, supportive learning environment.
• A well-developed teaching philosophy and demonstrated excellence or potential in graduate and undergraduate teaching and mentoring.
• Experience developing a strategic research funding plan, including identifying funding opportunities, building collaborations, and pursuing competitive proposals to expand research capacity.
• Potential to establish productive collaborations within SESE, across ASU, and with national and international researchers to develop interdisciplinary research programs.
• Experience or potential leadership or contribution to science requirements, design, development, and deployment of astronomical instrumentation for major observatories, including GMT, facilities accessible to ASU/SESE through institutional partnerships, and emerging international observatories.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborating with faculty members, staff, students, and external partners to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.

Responsibilities

• Conduct an independent, high-impact research program in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field using innovative instrumental, observational, theoretical, computational, or experimental approaches.
• Develop and lead competitive proposals for external funding from federal agencies and other sponsors to establish and sustain an independent research program.
• Lead and manage research projects and collaborations, including supervising and supporting research personnel, students, and postdoctoral scholars.
• Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and other scholarly activities.
• Build collaborations within SESE, across ASU, and with external institutions to advance interdisciplinary research.
• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate astronomy courses and contribute to curriculum development and instructional innovation.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research, academic development, and professional preparation.
• Contribute service to the School, College, University, and profession through committee activities and other professional service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree