Assistant/Associate Professor

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics, or a related field.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University seeks a candidate to fill a tenure-track position with a focus on astronomy. Preference will be given to candidates whose research and/or outreach activities include facilities available at the department's Dark Sky Observatory ( DSO).

The University's Dark Sky Observatory hosts 32- and 18-inch telescopes with imaging and spectrographic capabilities as well three robotic photometric telescopes (6-, 14- and 17-inch). On the 32-inch telescope, the GM spectrograph is automated for stellar targets (and other objects moving at the sidereal rate) and astronomers can expect roughly six nights per month (72 nights per year) on the 32-inch for imaging and or spectroscopy. The Jo and Don Cline Visitor Center at DSO is used for public outreach. The department also houses an instructional observatory on campus with a 16-inch telescope capable of imaging and spectroscopy and the " GoTo" Astronomy Facility, a state-of-the-art astronomical laboratory with 15 Celestron CPC1100 telescopes used in our two-semester introductory astronomy course sequence.

The department offers a B.A. in Physics, a B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Applied Physics, and a B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Secondary Education. Additionally, the department's M.S. program in Engineering Physics is a national leader in instrumentation and automation. The faculty includes 13.5 tenure-track and 11 full-time non-tenure-track members. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are consistently ranked among the largest in the country by the AIP when compared to other Masters granting institutions: enrollment exceeds 180 undergraduate majors (with more than 40 in the astronomy concentration) and 20-25 master's students.

As the premier, public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. Additional information about the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the University, and the surrounding area can be found at www.appstate.edu and www.physics.appstate.edu and at the above-listed department website.

Candidates must have a strong commitment to excellence in education and are expected to develop a research program that, in addition to involving undergraduate and M.S. students, can attract and maintain external funding. Responsibilities will include teaching astronomy and physics courses, advancing astronomical research, and service activities, including advising. Some start-up funds will be available to the successful candidate.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate's salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.

No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.

A complete application consists of and must be attached:
1. Cover Letter/Letter of Interest
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of 3 Professional References with Contact Information Included
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
5. Statement of Research Interests

The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.

The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.