Assistant or Associate Professor of Astronomy

Arizona State University; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor of Astronomy in SESE. The position, starting August 2027, supports research in observational, theoretical, numerical, and instrumentation areas, with emphasis on instrument builders leveraging ASU’s access to world‑class telescopes and GMT/ Habitable Worlds Observatory initiatives.

The role is based on the Tempe campus and requires in‑person work.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Planetary Science, Engineering, or a related field by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated record of research excellence and ability to establish and sustain an independent, internationally recognised program.
• Demonstrated experience or potential to develop competitive proposals and secure external funding.

Responsibilities

• Conduct an independent, high‑impact research program in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field.
• Develop and lead proposals for external funding to sustain an independent program.
• Lead and manage research projects and collaborations, supervising research personnel, students, and postdocs.
• Disseminate research through publications and conferences.
• Build collaborations within SESE, across ASU, and with external institutions.

Skills

Independent research

Proposal writing

Mentoring

Collaboration

Teaching

Education

PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Planetary Science, or Engineering

Job description

The School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor of Astronomy. The anticipated start date for this position is August 2027 and is open to candidates with research focusing on any area of astronomy, including observations, theoretical astrophysics, numerical/computational modeling, and instrumentation. We are particularly interested in instrument builders who can take advantage of ASU’s current access to world‑class telescopes through Steward Observatory and help position SESE for early science with the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and Habitable Worlds Observatory. ASU is one of the founding partners for the next‑generation 25‑m GMT (http://www.gmto.org) and has continued interest in long‑term investments into the GMT.

This position is located on the ASU Tempe Campus in Tempe, Arizona and requires physical presence at that location. Working from another location requires additional approvals, which are not guaranteed.

The School Of Earth And Space Exploration

SESE is a vibrant community that combines the strengths of science, engineering, and education to set the stage for a new era of exploration. Research in SESE includes, but is not limited to, the geology, geophysics, and geochemistry of Earth and other planetary bodies, exploration systems design and instrumentation, exoplanets, astrobiology, astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and Earth and space science education. A central part of SESE’s mission is to develop and deploy new technologies that enable scientific exploration, building on half a century of ASU faculty, staff, and student participation and leadership in Solar System exploration. SESE maintains world‑class shared facilities and expertise to support the development and operation of space missions. See http://sese.asu.edu for more information.

SESE offers a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment in which early‑career faculty benefit from strong mentorship, scientific exchange, and opportunities to build connections across fields. Faculty participate in major astronomical surveys and observing programs using facilities including JWST, HST, Roman, and other national and international observatories. SESE faculty are actively involved in a broad range of cubesat, sub‑orbital balloon experiments, and space‑based astronomy missions and observatories, including SPARCs, SPHEREx, GUSTO, and EXCITE. ASU offers cleanrooms, laboratory space, and engineering support to instrumentalists through the Instrument Mission & Development Laboratory (IMDL). ASU also provides exceptional computational resources through the Sol Supercomputer, which allows high‑performance computing, large‑scale data analysis, visualization, and machine learning. ASU hosts a broad range of centers and interdisciplinary initiatives that provide opportunities for collaboration across astronomy, physics, planetary science, computational science, and artificial intelligence, e.g., the Beus Center for Cosmic Foundations, Exoplanet Science Initiative, Cosmology Initiative, and Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. These connections offer rich opportunities for collaboration and joint initiatives.

The College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities at the local, national, and global levels. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting‑edge research to advance these aims. Within the College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty‑first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.

ASU is a global university, with an international presence that includes programs and locations abroad, including Paris, as well as a substantial online student community that extends its educational reach worldwide. Beyond campus, Tempe offers an excellent quality of life, combining the amenities of the Phoenix metropolitan area with easy access to Arizona’s remarkable outdoor landscapes. Faculty and their families can enjoy extensive parks and trails, a vibrant restaurant and arts scene, professional sports, museums, performing arts, and year‑round recreational activities, with Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon within reach for weekend trips. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is only minutes from ASU’s Tempe campus, providing convenient domestic and international connections. Together, ASU, Tempe, and the greater Phoenix area offer an attractive combination of global engagement, professional opportunity, urban amenities, outdoor recreation, accessibility, and family life.

Essential Functions

• Conduct an independent, high‑impact research program in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field, using innovative instrumental, observational, theoretical, computational, or experimental approaches.
• Develop and lead competitive proposals for external funding from federal agencies and other sponsors to establish and sustain an independent research program.
• Lead and manage research projects and collaborations, including supervising and supporting research personnel, students, and postdoctoral scholars.
• Disseminate research through peer‑reviewed publications, conferences and other scholarly activities.
• Build collaborations within SESE, across ASU, and with external institutions to advance interdisciplinary research.
• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate astronomy courses and contribute to curriculum development and instructional innovation.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research, academic development, and professional preparation.
• Contribute service to the School, College, University, and profession through committee activities and other professional service.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Planetary Science, Engineering, or a related field by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated record of research excellence and the ability, commensurate with the rank, to establish and sustain an independent, internationally recognised research program.
• Demonstrated experience or potential, commensurate with the rank, to develop competitive proposals and secure external research funding.
• Track record of scholarly productivity, including peer‑reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences

Desired Qualifications

• A demonstrated record of research achievement and scholarly productivity, as evidenced by publications, presentations, software development, instrumentation contributions, successful competitive proposals, awards, or other accomplishments indicating the ability to develop a high‑impact research program.
• Experience working with a broad student population and fostering academic excellence and a respectful, supportive learning environment.
• A well‑developed teaching philosophy and demonstrated excellence or potential in graduate and undergraduate teaching and mentoring.
• Experience developing a strategic research funding plan, including identifying funding opportunities, building collaborations, and pursuing competitive proposals to expand research capacity.
• Demonstrate potential to establish productive collaboration within SESE, across ASU, and with national and international researchers to develop interdisciplinary research programs.
• Demonstrated experience or potential leadership or contribution to the science requirements, design, development, and deployment of astronomical instrumentation for major observatories, including GMT, facilities accessible to ASU/SESE through institutional partnerships, and emerging international observatories.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborating with our faculty members, staff, students, and external partners to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.