Faculty Position in Astronomy, Astro-Particle Physics and Cosmology

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University in Houston, Texas, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Astronomy, Astro-Particle Physics and Cosmology as part of an AI Initiative hire. The appointee will develop AI-enabled research programs, work across physics and astronomy, and contribute to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.

The successful candidate will strengthen connections across multiple Rice departments and institutes, foster an AI ecosystem, and help integrate modern AI concepts into

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or Astronomy with a strong research record.
• Ability to lead an innovative research program at the intersection of AI and physics.
• Experience applying AI/ML to theory, simulation, data analysis, or instrumentation pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses each semester.
• Develop and lead a research program that integrates AI-enabled approaches.
• Collaborate across Nuclear/Particle Physics, Relativistic Astrophysics, Cosmology and related groups.

Skills

Astrophysics

AI in science

Computational methods

Education

PhD in Physics or Astronomy

Job description

Faculty Position in Astronomy, Astro-Particle Physics andCosmology

Rice University

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University in Houston, Texas, invites applications for a tenure-track facultyposition as part of an AI Initiative hire. Candidates mustdemonstrate expertise in at least one key emerging area, such asgenerative AI, agentic systems, or physical AI, extending beyondtraditional machine learning tools. They should possess the abilityto develop advanced computational frameworks, physics-informed AImethodologies, or innovative algorithmic tools, and integrate theminto theory, simulation, data analysis, or instrumentationpipelines. Successful candidates will focus their research programon one or a subset of the following areas: star-planetinteractions, exoplanetary science, astro-particle physics, orcosmology.

Depending on the exact expertise of the final hire, the hire will be required to measurably strengthen connections between theNuclear and Particle Physics group and the RelativisticAstrophysics and Cosmology group, or between the Space PlasmaPhysics and Astrophysics of Star and Planet formation groups.Ultimately, this hire will foster interdisciplinary collaboration,establish a shared AI ecosystem across domains, and buildconnections with the Ken Kennedy Institute, the Rice SpaceInstitute, and the T.W. Bonner Laboratory. We seek outstandingscientists whose research will complement and extend existingactivities within the Department and across the University. Inaddition to developing an independent and vigorous researchprogram, the successful applicant will be expected to teach, onaverage, one undergraduate or graduate course each semester,playing a critical role in integrating modern AI conceptssystematically throughout our curricula to train the nextgeneration of scientists fluent in AI-enabled discovery, andcontribute to the service missions of the Department andUniversity.

We welcome the fullness of diversity toRice. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race,color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, orprotected veteran status. Also, in our candidate pools, we seek toattract greater representation of women, scholars of color, peoplewith disabilities, veterans, and others who have historically beenunderrepresented in Physics.

We will begin reviewing applicationsby December 1, 2026. To receive full consideration, all applicationmaterials must be received by December 10, 2026. The anticipatedstart date is July 1, 2027.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer withcommitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employmentqualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnicorigin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

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