Assistant Professor in Astronomy/Astrophysics (tenure-track)

TopSciNet; Medford (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive startup package

Job summary

Tufts University, Medford, MA, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Astronomy/Astrophysics starting Sep 1, 2026. The department seeks candidates with strong research promise and a commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduates and graduates.

The Astrophysics group collaborates internationally and has access to ground-based and space-based facilities, with opportunities to contribute to observing programs and teaching across levels. A Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Astrophysics required at time of application.
• Strong research promise and/or experience.
• Interest in teaching and engaging undergraduates in research.
• Commitment to evidence-informed teaching and educational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain a vibrant, funded research program involving undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.
• Contribute to departmental teaching at all levels and develop new courses.
• Mentor students and participate in outreach and collaboration with colleagues.

Skills

Teaching interest

Mentoring

Educational excellence

Research leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Astrophysics

Job description

Assistant Professor in Astronomy/Astrophysics (tenure-track)

Tufts University Medford, MA — USA

Tufts University Medford, MA USA Posted Nov 04, 2025 Due Nov 04, 2026

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Job Description

Type: Full-Time
Posted: 11/04/2025
Category: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Institution: Tufts University – School of Arts & Sciences – Department of Physics & Astronomy
Location: Medford, MA

Description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Tufts University invites qualified candidates to apply for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the field of Astronomy/Astrophysics, starting September 1, 2026.

Tufts University is an R1 research institution located in Medford, Massachusetts, in the Boston area. The Department of Physics and Astronomy ( https://as.tufts.edu/physics ) includes 17 tenured or tenure-track faculty with strong research programs in high energy physics, condensed matter, cosmology, and astrophysics.

The Astrophysics group currently consists of three faculty members conducting active and well-funded research in observational extragalactic astronomy, exoplanetary, and stellar astrophysics. The group includes:

9 Ph.D. researchers

5 Master’s students

The Tufts Astrophysics group leads successful observing programs with ground-based and space-based facilities, including JWST, VLT, TESS, Kepler, Keck, and Subaru, and participates in several international collaborations, such as:

HSC-Joint and the Prime Focus Spectrograph Legacy Survey Collaboration (focused on galaxy evolution, galactic archaeology, and cosmology)

BEBOP Survey, which studies planets in binary star systems

Tufts seeks candidates who demonstrate outstanding research, commitment to teaching, mentoring, and community development.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Astrophysics (required at time of application)

Strong research promise and/or experience

Interest in teaching and engaging undergraduates in research

Expected to develop a vibrant, funded research program involving undergraduate, graduate (Master’s and Ph.D.), and postdoctoral researchers

Will contribute to departmental teaching at all levels, including developing new courses

Demonstrated commitment to evidence-informed teaching and educational excellence

Teaching Load: 1/1 (one course per semester for research-active faculty)

Preferred Research Areas (to complement or strengthen existing programs):

Exoplanets

High-energy astrophysics

Time-domain astronomy

Computational/theoretical astrophysics

Observational cosmology

Extragalactic astronomy

A competitive startup package is available.

Teaching and mentoring statement (≤ 3 pages)

At least three confidential reference letters (uploaded directly to Interfolio)

Full consideration deadline: December 15, 2025
(Applications received after this date may not be reviewed.)

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Tufts provides competitive and equitable compensation, determined based on education, experience, discipline, rank, internal equity, and budgetary factors.

Salaries are based on full-time 9- or 12-month appointments.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Tufts University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks candidates from diverse backgrounds.