Visiting Assistant Instructor in Stellar Astrophysics

Villanova University; Villanova (Delaware County); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Villanova University seeks a Visiting Assistant Instructor for its Department of Astrophysics and Planetary Science starting January 1, 2025. This role involves teaching undergraduate core science courses to non-STEM majors while engaging in research related to stellar populations. Candidates should have a non-terminal degree in a relevant field, with a terminal degree expected by July 1, 2025. A competitive salary is offered alongside valuable professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Must obtain a terminal degree (Ph.D.) by July 1, 2025.
• Prior experience in teaching desired.
• Strong background in research and diversity awareness appreciated.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate respect for diverse departmental culture.
• Teach two sections of core science courses per semester.
• Participate in departmental meetings and events.
• Uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department.

Skills

Teaching STEM classes to non-STEM majors

Research in physics and astrophysics

Statistical analysis and programming

Diversity awareness

Education

Non-terminal degree in Physics, Astrophysics, Data Science, or a closely related discipline

Astrophysics

Data Science

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

Job description

Position Summary

Villanova University’s Department of Astrophysics and Planetary Science invites applications for the Visiting Assistant Instructor. The position is a prime opportunity for candidates seeking to stay in academia. The fellowship provides training and development in all three areas of academic life: research, teaching, and service. A successful applicant will join Andrej Prsa’s research team and work on cutting‑edge theoretical and observational aspects of binary and multiple stellar populations. In parallel, the applicant will teach an undergraduate core science course/lab to non‑STEM majors, stressing problem‑solving, laboratory experience, technology and quantitative tools, and interdisciplinary understanding. Finally, the applicant will join the departmental ecosphere and participate in shaping the future of research and education at Villanova. The appointment is offered for six months starting January 1, 2025.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal‑opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrate the highest regard for the diverse, equitable, and inclusive departmental culture and uphold true, complete respect for all students, staff, and faculty.
• Partake in state‑of‑the‑art research in theoretical and observational stellar astrophysics, computational astrophysics, astrostatistics, and/or exoplanetary science.
• Teach two sections of the Mendel core science courses or labs per semester (currently “How old is the Universe?”, “Life in the Universe”, “Planetary skies and landscapes”, “Birth and Death of Stars”, “Earth – our habitable world”, and “Earth – a cosmic connection”).
• Participate in departmental affairs: meetings, colloquia, events and functions. This includes working with and counseling undergraduate students, contributing to public events, and advancing the department’s reputation locally, nationally, and internationally.

Minimum Qualifications

• A non‑terminal degree in Physics, Astrophysics, Data Science, or a closely related discipline is required, with the expectation that a terminal degree (Ph.D.) is obtained by July 1, 2025.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching: prior experience teaching STEM classes to non‑STEM majors is desired.
• Research: strong background in physics, astrophysics, statistics, and programming is desired.
• Service: a record of the ability to work with others and demonstrate diversity awareness is desired.

Salary

Competitive.