Assistant Professor of Physics

The Physics Department and the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks invite applications to fill a joint tenure-track position in space physics or physics aligned with the mission of the Geophysical Institute and the Physics Department. The successful applicant will become a faculty member in the Physics Department of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and will join the Geophysical Institute.

Candidates should hold a PhD in Physics, Space Physics, Geophysics, or related areas. Expectations for this position include conducting research in space physics, aeronomy or other areas of geophysics, teaching courses in physics, mentoring and advising graduate students in the Physics Department, and supporting the University’s wider mission through service and outreach. Approximately 40% Teaching/mentoring, 50% research and 10% service will make up the duty expectations of this position. The Physics Department offers a full range of physics courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels and the successful applicant is expected to teach across the physics curriculum. Current research activities should support any of a variety of research activities of the Geophysical Institute. The successful applicant will be committed to pursuing external funding to continue or establish their research program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. 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, other groups within the Geophysical Institute, and other units from the wider University. Ideally, we would like for the successful candidate to be able to start at the beginning of the 2027 Spring semester.

To thrive in this role, candidates must have experience working with a diverse student population, 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 physics or geophysics, excellent oral and written communication, engagement and collaborative skills, outstanding pedagogical skills, ability to design and teach courses in distance online and in-person modalities, and the ability to integrate 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 in Physics or closely related field. Post Doctoral experience is preferred but not required.

Required documentation:
-Cover Letter
-Curriculum Vitae
-Teaching philosophy, experience and interests statement (1-2 pages)
-Research Statement including experience, research agenda and how your research will be relevant to Alaska (1-2 pages) 

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha’ campus in Fairbanks, AK. This is a full-time, 9-month base appointment with externally funded summer options, FLSA 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.

Application review will begin on July 20, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

**Due to the substantial increase in the employer costs involved, the university is unable to sponsor visas subject to the new regulatory fee imposed in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10973.

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

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

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 the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

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.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.