Assistant Professor of Physics/Space Physics (2 openings)

The Physics Department and the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks invite applications to fill 2 open joint tenure-track position in physics and space physics. The successful applicants will become faculty members in the Physics Department of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and will join the Geophysical Institute as part of the Space Physics and Aeronomy Group.

As a tenure-track faculty member, you will teach both undergraduate and graduate physics courses to a diverse group of students; conduct research in space physics and/or aeronomy; participate in curriculum development; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and perform service and outreach roles within the department and the university, supporting the University's wider mission. Service duties may include committee work, participation in curriculum review and development, service to the profession, and appropriate service to the public.

Current research activities of the Space Physics and Aeronomy Group include radio and optical observations of the aurora, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere; observation, theory, and simulations of terrestrial and planetary magnetospheres; space plasma theory and modeling; rocket experiments; radar technology; and analysis of ground- and space-based observational datasets. Applications are invited from researchers working on topics relevant to these areas, with experimental and/or theoretical investigations of auroral phenomena and their impacts on the ionosphere and upper atmosphere being of particular interest for this position.

One position will be expected to maintain an externally-funded research program equivalent to 50% of your base appointment, with the option of a summer extension utilizing external research funding. A second position will be expected to maintain an externally-funded research program equivalent to 75% of your base appointment, with the same summer option as above.

We would like for the successful candidates to be able to start at the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester.

To thrive in this role, candidates must have experience working with diverse students, supporting student retention, and assisting students in achieving academic and professional success. They must also have an advanced understanding of the fundamentals and principles of space plasma physics, excellent oral and written communication, engagement and collaborative skills, outstanding pedagogical skills, ability to design and teach courses in field-based, distance online and in-person modalities, and the ability to integrate space physics with social sciences, arts and/or humanities. The ability to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into your teaching is highly desirable. Individuals who are self-motivated, student-centered, and believe in excellence through teaching, research, collaboration, adaptability, and creativity will flourish within UAF's CNSM Department of Physics.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD degree in Space Physics or a related science field. Experience teaching higher education courses and designing coursework is required only for the 50/50 split position.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yedda campus in Fairbanks, AK. This is a full-time, 9-month base appointment, FLSA non-exempt faculty position complete with a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, paid holidays, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be offered a competitive salary based on education and experience.

The positions are open until filled however a 1st review of application will occur on February 19, 2024. To ensure consideration, make sure all required documents listed below are submitted prior to 11:59 pm AKST, February 18, 2024.

Required documentation:
-Cover Letter
-Curriculum Vitae
-Statement of teaching philosophy, experience and interests (1-2 pages)
-Statement of commitment to and/or experience with improving diversity, equity and inclusion in science (1 page)
-Please make sure the 3 references listed on the application are professional & work related.

Visa Sponsorship may be considered for these positions.

There are places in this world where you are destined to discover who you truly are. Here at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, as wisdom passes from one generation to the next, revolutionary ideas are thriving and a new academic culture is taking shape. Smarter questions. Better answers.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a Land, Sea, and Space Grant university and an international center for research, education, and the arts, emphasizing the circumpolar North and its diverse peoples. UAF integrates teaching, research, and public service as it educates students for active citizenship and prepares them for lifelong learning and careers.

Existing facilities available for research include Poker Flat Research Range, the NSF’s Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR), rocket launch facilities, the Davis Science Center, a lidar observatory, the Subauroral Geophysical Observatory (SAGO), and the High Frequency Active Auroral Program (HAARP) facility. The Geophysical Institute has an instrumentation laboratory, a machine shop, and an electronic shop. In addition, UAF is the home of the Geophysical Institute’s Research Computing Systems, which can provide resources for large-scale computing needs. Opportunities exist for collaboration with other Departments within the College of Natural Science and Mathematics, e.g. Atmospheric Sciences, other groups within the Geophysical Institute, and other units from the wider University, notably the Space Systems Engineering Program and the Alaska Research CubeSat team.

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). http://www.unitedacademics.net/

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sheri Hall, CNSM HR Manager, at sahall5@alaska.edu or (907) 474-6714.