Assistant Professor in Computational Astrophysics

1000scholars; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Work-life balance

Job summary

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a tenure-eligible Assistant Professor position in computational astrophysics, broadly defined, with expertise in either theoretical or observational astrophysics. This nine-month appointment begins August 1, 2027.

We seek data-driven researchers using AI/ML to exploit large astronomical datasets and to work with facilities such as the Athena Supercomputer, Rubin Observatory, Roman Space Telescope, and

Qualifications

• Evidence of potential to establish externally funded research.
• Ability to contribute to teaching, mentoring, and research training.
• Active participation in departmental and university service.

Responsibilities

• Establish a sustained externally funded research program.
• Teach at undergraduate and graduate levels, and mentor students.
• Contribute to research training and student development.
• Participate in departmental and university service.

Skills

Data-driven research

AI / ML

Teaching

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Astronomy/Physics

Tools

Cloudy

Job description

Position Description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in computational astrophysics, broadly defined, with expertise in either theoretical or observational astrophysics. This is a nine-month appointment in the regular title series with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027.

We are particularly interested in candidates whose research is data-driven and leverages modern computational techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to maximize the scientific return from large astronomical datasets. Relevant research areas may include, but are not limited to, projects utilizing data from NASA-, NSF-, and DOE-supported supercomputing facilities and observatories, such as the Athena Supercomputer, Rubin Observatory, Roman Space Telescope, and Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument.

Candidates whose research complements and strengthens existing astronomy and astrophysics programs at the University of Kentucky (https://pa.as.uky.edu/astro) are especially encouraged to apply. Current departmental strengths include galaxy formation, stellar evolution, and the interstellar medium, and the University is home to the Cloudy Project, a widely used open-source spectral simulation code.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the potential to establish a sustained, externally funded research program and will be expected to contribute effectively to teaching, mentoring, and research training at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will also participate actively in departmental and university service. This is a nine-month appointment. The approximate anticipated Distribution of Effort will be 65% research, 25% teaching, and 10% departmental service.

A Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics, or a closely related field is required and must be completed by August 1, 2027.

Questions about the search may be directed to Dr. Yuanyuan Su ([e-mail]), Search Committee Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky.

Application Deadline is December 1, 2026.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-lifeintegration.

The University generously contributes to employees’ medical coverage and in addition, offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.