Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Texas Christian University   Fort Worth, TX   Full-time     Education
Posted on April 11, 2024
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Application Deadline:

January, 19th 2024

Position Details:

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas Christian University (TCU) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the area of Astronomy/ Astrophysics at the Assistant Professor level to begin in Fall 2024. Applicants should have a PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Physics, a strong record of achievement in astrophysics related research, and a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and outreach. Applicants from all areas of astrophysics will be considered. The Department and the University are dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working and learning environment and individuals who are committed to furthering these causes are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented in Physics and Astronomy. Post-doctoral experience is preferred but not required.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in astronomy and physics and to advise PhD candidates. As an R2 institution that is based upon the Teacher-Scholar model, the typical teaching load is 2 courses per semester. We expect the candidate to seek external funding in order to conduct an independent and vigorous research program. We also expect that the new faculty member will strengthen and expand our undergraduate and graduate programs in astronomy/astrophysics.

Department Details:

The Department has an excellent student/faculty ratio with an active group of majors. The current departmental focus in astronomy/astrophysics is observational astronomy, with an emphasis on work utilizing data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV & V, Hubble Space Telescope, and the McDonald Observatory, and has a history of success in obtaining funding from NSF and NASA. For further information about the Department see: https://cse.tcu.edu/physics-astronomy/.

School/College Description:

The TCU College of Science & Engineering (CSE) encompasses 10 departments (Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Geological Sciences, Mathematics, Nutritional Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, and Psychology) as well the Ranch Management Program, which offers both an undergraduate degree and a one-year certificate program. The College is also home to the Pre-Health Professions Institute, the Karyn Purvis Institute for Child Development, the Institute of Behavioral Research, and the Institute for Ranch Management. The College is the second largest at TCU in terms of both undergraduate enrollment and number of majors. CSE contains a disproportionate percentage of high achieving students, as evidenced by the fact that almost one-half the students in the Honors College have majors in the College of Science & Engineering. Research opportunities abound for undergraduates, with over 40 percent of majors engaging in a substantive experience during which they work one-on-one with their faculty mentor. The College also has five doctoral programs and 16 master's programs as well as two graduate certificate programs. The College faculty are true teacher-scholars, for whom instruction and research are viewed as complementary activities.

University & Fort Worth Description:

ABOUT TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University sits on 302 acres nestled in a primarily residential part of Fort Worth, just minutes away from downtown. The University includes seven schools and colleges, in addition to the John V. Roach Honors College and the Burnett School of Medicine.

Currently, TCU enrolls more than 10,200 undergraduates and 1,700 graduate students. Twenty-eight percent of students self-identify as a member of a minority group, five percent are international students, and forty-five percent are from out-of-state. Our students are supported by more than 2,200 faculty and staff. The University has more than 700 full-time faculty members and is a top 100 National University as classified by US News and World Report and has a Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity.

At TCU, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are an educational imperative directly tied to the University mission, vision, and strategic plan. Fulfilling TCU's mission to develop ethical leaders and critical thinkers in a global community depends on the University's ability to attract and retain students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. A diverse and inclusive campus leads to innovation, broadened perspective, and understanding—values that are foundational aspects of higher education. For the fourth consecutive year, TCU has earned the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, which highlights ongoing commitment to build a comprehensive DEI strategy that aligns with core values and creates a campus culture where everyone is respected and included.

ABOUT FORT WORTH

Like TCU, Fort Worth has the approachable, friendly charm of a smaller town, but offers the amenities, cultural activities, diversity and unique personality of a much larger city. Fort Worth, Texas, is the 13th largest city in the United States with an ever-growing population nearing 1 million. Fort Worth and TCU have grown together in a nearly 150-year relationship. You'll find that many Horned Frogs remain here after graduation, thanks to the region's thriving job market. Fort Worth is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, and the number 1 tourist destination in Texas. In 2018, bizjournals.com ranked Fort Worth the 7th most affordable city to live and work in the United States and U.S. News and World Report named Fort Worth one of the Best Places to Live. Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington all rank among the top 25 most diverse cities in the country.

Fort Worth is known for its vast array of cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities. The city boasts three world class art museums—the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall is one of the premier performance venues in the country. Concerts, film festivals and other events are held regularly at Sundance Square, Panther Island and Near Southside venues.

Required Application Materials & Application Instructions:

Applications should be submitted online through the TCU Human Resources website at job.tcu.edu. You may search for this position by entering the 6-digit requisition number located above or by entering the title in the search field. Complete the application, which consists of personal contact information, three references and their contact information, and a voluntary survey. Then, upload (1) a letter of application, (2) cover letter, (3) curriculum vitae, (4) detailed research plan, (5) statement of teaching philosophy, and (6) diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. Letters of recommendation will be requested at a later time in the process from your three references. Your references will receive an email from TCU asking them to upload their LOR on your behalf.

AA/EEO Statement:

As an AA/EEO employer, TCU recruits, hires, and promotes qualified persons in all job classifications without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, genetic information, covered veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.