Assistant Professor of Astronomy/Astrophysics - Tenure Track

McDaniel College•Westminster, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

McDaniel College's Department of Physics seeks a tenure-track assistant professor to hold the M. Lee Rice Endowed Professorship in Physics and provide leadership for the Department's two new majors in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The core curriculum and course sequence for both majors are already approved and in place, so the successful candidate starts with a working program, with the freedom to teach it as they see fit and to develop new courses. The candidate's specialization should be in astronomy or astrophysics, though within the field the area is open. The position carries a 3-3 teaching load, centered in astronomy and astrophysics with other courses supporting the physics and engineering mechanics programs as needed. The candidate is also expected to establish an active research program that involves undergraduate students as collaborators. McDaniel's location puts the Department within reach of regional research institutions, including NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and we welcome candidates positioned to build on that proximity. McDaniel is a private liberal arts college in the hills of north-central Maryland, with easy access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Classes are small, typically 20 students or fewer. The McDaniel community is close-knit and welcoming to people of all backgrounds. The College has committed real institutional support to this hire (this is an endowed position) and to the Department's growth into astronomy, astrophysics, and engineering mechanics.

Requirements

Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, or a closely related field; ABD candidates nearing completion will be considered.
Area of specialization is within astronomy or astrophysics.
A genuine interest building a rigorous and attractive undergraduate program in astronomy/astrophysics.
College-level teaching experience is preferred beyond the teaching assistant level.
Strong written and oral communication skills are a must.
A demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to build a research program that engages undergraduates.
A collegial, collaborative approach to working with students, faculty, and staff within the department and across the college.

Responsibilities

Take leadership in the astronomy and astrophysics program and develop pedagogy-based assessment and learning outcomes for programmatic courses, in coordination with the Department Chair.
Teach three courses each semester, spanning introductory through advanced astronomy and astrophysics offerings, along with courses that support programs in physics and engineering mechanics, and general-education science courses as departmental need requires.
Create clear and detailed syllabi for each course; develop learner-centered activities and laboratories using pedagogical approaches that reflect current best practices; grade assignments, discussions, and other work that measures students' progress toward course goals and mastery of the discipline; and maintain accurate, objective, and complete grading rosters for all assigned courses.
Advise students in astronomy and astrophysics as the new programs grow and represent the programs to prospective students during admissions recruitment activities as needed.
Build and sustain a research program; recruit, train, and mentor undergraduate students as active participants in that research; and publish research in peer-reviewed journals and give presentations at conferences.
Contribute to departmental and college governance through committee service, consistent with the Faculty Handbook, and complete assigned program reports and data collection needed for assessment and accreditation.
Submit grades, department reports, and other required records on the timelines set by the Registrar, Department Chair, Dean of Faculty, and Provost.
Follow FERPA, Title IX, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations in all teaching and advising.
Keep a portfolio of research, activities, and coursework consistent with tenure evaluation.