Posted on:		September 28, 2014
Employer:		UCSC
Job Location:		Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Job Category:		Academic Positions
Required Degree:		Doctorate

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ
Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Assistant Professor, Observational Astronomy

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz invites applications for a faculty position at the Assistant Professor (tenure-track) level. We are particularly interested in qualified applicants with interest and expertise in developing astronomical instrumentation for optical/infrared ground-based telescopes.

The Department currently has 18 regular faculty members and approximately 30 graduate students. Current areas of focus at UCSC are in optical and near-IR observations, theory, numerical simulations, instrumentation, and adaptive optics, with scientific concentrations in cosmology and galaxy evolution, galactic structure, high-energy astrophysics, star and planet formation, and particle astrophysics.

UCSC hosts the headquarters of the University of California Observatories (http://www.ucolick.org) and its technical facilities, to which the successful applicant will have access. Facilities include optical, mechanical, and electronics laboratories, an advanced optical coatings facility, a detector lab, and the Laboratory for Adaptive Optics. The University of California is a partner in the Keck and Thirty Meter Telescope Observatories in Hawaii, and owner of Lick Observatory near San Jose, CA. In the area of instrumentation, UCSC faculty and research staff lead projects in optical spectroscopy, adaptive optics, telescope design, optical coatings, and advanced detectors.

UCSC hosts several astrophysics-related research centers spanning academic departments: the Theoretical Astrophysics Center (TASC), the Center for Adaptive Optics (CfAO), the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP), the Center for the Origin, Dynamics and Evolution of Planets (CODEP), and the High-Performance Astrocomputing Center (HiPACC). Further information about astrophysics activities at UCSC may be found at http://www.astro.ucsc.edu/.

The successful candidate will lead an innovative and excellent research program, teach in the department's undergraduate and graduate programs, and mentor graduate and undergraduate student research. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service, and who have demonstrated a commitment to improving access to higher education by minority groups. A key strength of the Department is its interactive and collaborative scientific atmosphere; we seek candidates who will contribute to and benefit from that atmosphere.

RANK: Assistant Professor

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience; academic year (9-month) basis

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. or equivalent foreign degree in Astronomy, Physics, or related field; demonstrated record of research.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Postdoctoral experience, potential to obtain external funding, and a commitment to and talent for teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels.

POSITION AVAILABLE: Fall 2015

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted via the UCSC Academic Recruit online system, and must include: 1) curriculum vitae (including a list of publications), 2) a statement of research interests and experience, 3) a statement of teaching interests and experience, and 4) at least three confidential* letters of reference. Applicants are invited to submit a statement addressing their past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files.

Apply at http://apptrkr.com/525135 Refer to Position #JPF00185-15 in all correspondence.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm

CLOSING DATE: Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2014, and continue during the academic year 2014-15, or until position is filled, but not later than June 30, 2015. ?To ensure full consideration, both the application and letters of reference must be received by December 1, 2014.

UC Santa Cruz faculty make significant contributions to the body of research that has earned the University of California the ranking as the foremost public higher education institution in the world. In the process, our faculty demonstrate that cutting-edge research, excellent teaching and outstanding service are mutually supportive.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to: Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064; (831) 459-2686.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available here or from the Academic Personnel Office (APO) at (831) 459-4300.

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Academic Personnel Office at apo@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4300.

VISIT THE APO WEB SITE AT: http://apo.ucsc.edu jeid-eb05a3bf8f252c8255574e361320c439