Astronomy Education Postdoctoral Fellow

Maryland Connect • Frostburg, MD

14d • $68,000

About The Position

Astronomy Education Postdoctoral Fellow Frostburg State University (FSU) is poised to become a regional leader in astronomy education and outreach with the reopening of its newly upgraded, state-of-the-art planetarium in Spring 2026. To support this growing vision, the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences invites applications for a full-time, exempt Astronomy Education Postdoctoral Fellow, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. This three-year appointment is contingent on a successful first-year performance evaluation, and the position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive University System of Maryland benefits package - including annual, personal, and sick leave; holidays; tuition remission; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and retirement plans - as well as a $6,000 annual research budget to be used at their discretion. Responsibilities: The fellow will bring fresh expertise in both astronomy and science education, advancing FSU’s mission through innovative STEM outreach, high-quality teaching, and original research. The position will strengthen campus instruction and expand community engagement.

Requirements

• Recent graduate or ABD with a PhD in Physics, Astronomy, or Education (with at least a Master’s in Science Teaching or extensive experience teaching science if PhD is in Education)
• At least two years of teaching experience
• Ability to develop an independent research program that includes undergraduate students

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience researching science curriculum, preferably astronomy
• Experience in informal STEM education (e.g., museums, planetariums, science centers)
• Evidence of outreach and public engagement activities

Responsibilities

• Planetarium Support 41% annual workload, but overlaps with teaching and research
• K-12 STEM outreach
• Work with local schools to create custom planetarium curriculum
• Assist the director with producing and hosting planetarium shows and events
• Research and Service 33% annual workload
• Develop and pursue their own research agenda that includes astronomy education, or related science education topics
• Supported through some combination of teaching and outreach, so there’s overlap with teaching and planetarium support
• Aim for at least one peer-reviewed publication per year (conference presentations count) and at least one refereed journal article by the end of the fellowship
• Integrate undergraduates into research where possible, leveraging small internal competitive funding in addition to the annual research budget
• Serve as a mentor for education majors and include them in research
• Collaborate with faculty in the Departments of Physical & Environmental Sciences and Education
• Teaching 26% annual workload
• Undergraduate courses, upper level if interested and time permits
• Fall Introduction to Astronomy 3 credits lecture and 2 credits lab Lecture uses planetarium
• Spring Physical Science 6 credits integrated lecture and lab Some components taught in planetarium Course is intended primarily for education majors

Benefits

• annual leave
• personal leave
• sick leave
• holidays
• tuition remission
• health insurance
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• retirement plans
• $6,000 annual research budget

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees