Assistant Professor – Gamma-ray Astrophysicist

TITLE: Assistant Professor – Gamma-ray Astrophysicist

ABOUT THE POSITION: The Department of Space Science is seeking an outstanding scientist and educator to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position in the field of observational and/or theoretical studies in time-domain gamma-ray astronomy. The ideal candidate will be able to do scientific research in gamma-ray astrophysics, including detection techniques, hardware design and development, instrumentation, and data analysis software development. They will work closely with other UAH and NASA scientists of the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor and StarBurst teams, with the possibility of joining in future missions, some in progress and others to be proposed. A successful candidate is expected to actively compete for external grant funding, mentor and support graduate students, contribute to curriculum development, and teach classes in accordance with a typical teaching load in the Department.

APPOINTMENT DATE: Fall 2022

ABOUT THE COLLEGE: The UAH College of Science advances cutting-edge research and offers first-rate degree programs thanks to our distinguished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Our location in Huntsville facilitates partnerships and collaborations with NASA, the US Army, NOAA, the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology, and the numerous high-tech companies located in Cummings Research Park, the second largest research park in the country.

College of Science students enjoy the benefits of a research-intensive institution in a medium-sized university, including a 16:1 student-to-professor ratio and numerous research, leadership, and co-op/internship opportunities. The vibrant UAH campus, diverse student population, and academic and social organizations provide an enriching and cross-disciplinary student life experience. USA Today, Princeton Review, Consumers Digest, and Payscale have ranked UAH as a top educational value.

UAH is a recognized leader in space research, and the Department of Space Science was created to develop a corresponding academic program with a national ranking.

The Department is a graduate program exclusively, offering an MS or Ph.D. degree in Space Science, although we also teach an undergraduate class in space science for the UAH Honors College. Our students develop a broad spectrum of skills, including computational science, data analysis, analytic theory, and even space instrumentation development. Our graduates work at NASA centers, national labs, universities in the US and abroad, and private industry.

The department enjoys close collaborations with the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. We run several summer schools and an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program.

Created in September 2013, the Department of Space Science is the newest department in the College of Science at UAH. Our principal areas of expertise are solar and heliospheric physics and high energy astrophysics.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: The University of Alabama in Huntsville, classified as a High Research Activity institution, offers academic and research programs in the Colleges of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering; Nursing; Professional Studies; and Science.  Huntsville maintains one of the highest per capita incomes and standards of living in the Southeast.  It is a national center of aerospace and high technology research and is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Huntsville and surrounding communities present many opportunities for healthcare research and professional practice.

ABOUT HUNTSVILLE: Huntsville is A Smart Place to live, work, and raise a family. Years ago, Huntsville played a major role in sending man to the moon. We continue with advancements in military and space – we are home to a thriving military base, Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and the state’s top tourist destination, the US Space & Rocket Center!

Huntsville and Madison County offer a high quality of life, good schools, high paying jobs, and excellent medical care. We have the mountains in our backyard with plenty of hiking, fishing, and outdoor fun, and if you want to head down to the beach, it’s just a six-hour drive.

It’s true what you hear about Southern hospitality, too. You’ll find great neighbors! In 2018, US News & World Report named Huntsville the #7 Best Place to Live in the country. In addition, Forbes has named Huntsville one of the Top 20 Leading Metros for Business, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has named Huntsville one of the country’s Top 10 Cities for Raising Families.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINE: Applicants must submit a complete CV, a list of publications, a list of awarded research grants, a research statement, a teaching statement, and arrange to have three letters of reference sent to the SPA Faculty Search Committee 2022, Department of Space Science, Cramer Research Hall, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35899 or by email to [email protected] with the header Faculty Search Committee 2022. Applications will remain open until position is filled. Reviewing of applicants will start February 1, 2022.

Inquiries regarding the position or the procedure for application can be directed to Prof. Robert Preece and Ms. Sarah Sandlin, respectively. 

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer of minorities/females/veterans/disabled.

UAH mandates that all employees maintain compliance with current federal regulations.

Please refer to log number: 22-23-568