Position: Assistant Professor of Astronomy
Effective Date: August 17, 2022 (Fall Semester)
Salary Range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Application Deadline: Review of applications to begin November 1, 2021. Position open until filled (or recruitment canceled).
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Astronomy/Physics/Astrophysics with at least one year of postdoctoral experience at the time of application. Ability to teach Astronomy courses for non-majors, electives in Astronomy and/or Astrophysics. Ability to design and supervise observational astronomy events for the campus and local community, using our rooftop and solar telescopes Record of research in Astronomy and/or Astrophysics Potential for attracting external funding to develop and sustain research and outreach activities involving undergraduate and master’s students Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels. Ability to teach lower and upper division Physics. Experience with diverse students in teaching, mentoring or outreach. Experience with observational astronomy events and expressed interest in outreach to campus and engaging with diverse local communities. Evidence of ongoing research in Astronomy/Astrophysics and credible plan for future research. Experience guiding undergraduate majors and master’s students in research projects Knowledge of or commitment to effective teaching and mentoring strategies supporting underrepresented groups in STEM (e.g. culturally responsive or inclusive pedagogy, lived experience, awareness of issues that may affect the success of minoritized students)
Duties:
Teach courses at various levels of the Department’s curriculum, including Astronomy and/or Astrophysics courses, guide content development of Astronomy laboratory. [Mode of instruction may include in-person, hybrid, online, and/or any combination thereof. In 2022-23, the department anticipates that the normal mode of instruction will be face-to-face.] Lead the Department’s educational and outreach activities in observational astronomy Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research projects Develop and sustain a research program involving students, leading to publications and applications for external funding Participate in service to the department, university, and community
About our Department and the Position
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at California State University, Long Beach is dedicated to providing a rigorous curriculum with high-quality research opportunities offering an exceptional education for our diverse students. We value teaching and research as essential components of education; our graduate and undergraduate students engage in research mentored by faculty, leading to diverse career outcomes, such as joining Ph.D. programs, industry, and teaching.
Teaching astronomy lectures, laboratories and engaging in outreach to our diverse community constitute an important part of our Department's activities. Our lower and upper division general education Astronomy lecture courses serve a large number of students across campus, and Astrophysics is offered as an elective to our majors and master’s students. The Department has an Astronomy Club run by students. Our Astronomy faculty and students host "Night at the Observatory” once a week in the evening, using our rooftop telescopes (Celestron 800 series), and solar telescope observation each semester. These popular events attract students, staff, faculty members on campus, and Long Beach community members. The Department seeks to attract faculty with strong interest in the further development of these efforts.
Our faculty engage in externally funded research in Condensed Matter, Astrophysics, Particle Physics, Nuclear Theory, Nanomaterials and Biophysics, providing stimulating research projects for our students resulting in publications with student co-authors. Our research students are also supported by internal awards and fellowships. The Physics and Astronomy Department at CSULB has one of the largest number of physics master’s graduates among U.S. master’s granting universities. We have a strong record of graduating women and underrepresented minorities in physics. Our department is one of only six Bridge Sites of the APS Bridge Program in the nation to improve the number of minorities pursuing a PhD in physics. New faculty are awarded a reduced workload over their first three years to establish their research program. Thereafter, most faculty have significant opportunities for release time for supervision of research students and theses, and internal release opportunities for research and service.
In serving the State of California, the department is committed to developing a diverse faculty, with a richness of personal and educational experience. We welcome all applicants who are highly motivated to engage in research supervision of a diverse student body and to work vigorously in the classroom to provide an exceptional education to our community of student scholars. We seek faculty who are committed to the academic success of students of color, those with disabilities, first generation, veterans, diverse socio- economic, diverse sexual orientation and gender expressions. Department faculty have provided and continue to provide substantial leadership in diversity related programs in STEM. We seek candidates who will join us in contributing their talent, expertise and perspective, to providing excellent educational and research opportunities for the next generation workforce of scientists, technicians, entrepreneurs, teachers and Ph.D. candidates.
Information on excellent benefits package available to CSULB faculty is located here: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf
How to Apply - Required Documentation:
An Equity and Diversity Statement about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population (maximum two pages, single-spaced). For further information and guidelines, please visit: http://www.csulb.edu/EquityDiversityStatement Letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications CV (including current email address) Names and contact information for three references Copy of transcript from institution awarding highest degree Statement of teaching philosophy and experience, including plans for Astronomy outreach to the campus and local community. This statement is different from the Equity and Diversity Statement. Applicant should contact the e-mail below if any clarification is needed. Statement of research interest, including plans to secure external funding and to engage undergraduate and graduate students in research. Semi-Finalists (phone interviewees) will need three letters of recommendation independently provided by references. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript (e-transcript preferred, if available)
How to Apply: Click "Apply Now" icon to complete the CSULB online application
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Professor Andreas Bill, Chair
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Physics and Astronomy
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840-9505
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
A background check (including a criminal records check and telephone reference check with most recent employer) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.
CSULB is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, without regard to race or ethnicity (including color or ancestry), nationality, religion or religious creed, gender (or sex), gender identity (including transgender), gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information, age, veteran or military status. CSULB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.