Tenure-Track Positions in Astronomy and in Physics

Job Description

The Department of Astronomy and the Department of Physics at Wellesley College invite applications for multiple tenure track positions to begin in the fall of 2023. The college is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and we are especially interested in applicants committed to sustaining an academic community where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Applications at the rank of assistant professor are preferred; however applications at all ranks will be considered. Successful applicants will have demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong commitment to undergraduate education, and a well-developed plan for research that can be carried out at an undergraduate institution. All fields of research in physics and astronomy will be considered, including those at interdisciplinary boundaries. Preference will be given to candidates with a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy or a closely related field, ABD considered. 

Wellesley is a selective liberal arts college for women located 12 miles west of Boston. Our Astronomy and Physics Departments have enjoyed a long tradition of providing high-quality scientific training that prepares our students to succeed in top graduate programs, industry, and education. Our majors (currently about 25 per year and growing) are a highly diverse and dynamic group of undergraduates. The Physics Department is housed in our newly renovated Science Center while the Astronomy Department occupies the beautiful Whitin Observatory that is also home to a new 0.7m PlaneWave telescope as well as historic 6’” and 12” Clark refractors. The teaching load is four units per year. Faculty are expected to teach at all levels of the curriculum and establish and maintain an active on-campus research program with meaningful student involvement.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a 2-4 page statement of teaching experience and interests, a 2-4 page proposed research plan that includes a description of undergraduate participation, and email addresses for three references at https://career.wellesley.edu. The submitted materials should describe the applicant’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Questions about the position or application procedures should be directed to Wesley Watters (Astronomy) and James Battat (Physics) at [email protected] and [email protected]. Early applications are strongly encouraged; we will conduct on-campus interviews in fall 2022. For full consideration, applications should be submitted by October 1, 2022; there is no guarantee that applications received after that date will be considered.

All employees hired after August 2, 2021 are required to upload proof of vaccination against COVID‐19, subject to approved medical or religious exemptions or disability accommodations.