Assistant Teaching Professor of Astronomy

Position Title:

Assistant Teaching Professor of Astronomy

Appointment Type:

Faculty

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities :

The Department of Physics & Astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University invites candidates to apply for a term faculty teaching position in Astronomy at the Assistant Teaching Professor rank. The candidate’s primary responsibilities will be teaching large in-person and online introductory astronomy courses and developing astronomy related outreach and recruiting events. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with experience in and a sincere commitment to student-centric teaching. They will play a key role in the Department’s efforts to increase enrollment in our introductory astronomy courses aimed at non-science students, and the ideal candidate will bring teaching innovation and new ideas to these courses. The position also involves service work within the department, especially concerning undergraduate affairs, as well as other parts of the life of the department and college.

The successful candidate will have excellent teaching, teamwork, and communications skills and provide a pedagogically effective and welcoming learning experience for students with various backgrounds. Teaching faculty are fully integrated into the department with voting rights on all matters, save for a few such as the granting of tenure.

This is a 9-month position with an initial 3-year term. This position has the possibility of renewal contingent upon budget, department staffing needs, and following a successful departmental review. Opportunities for teaching summer and winter school courses are also available.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Required Minimum Qualifications :

• MS in astronomy or physics

• Teaching experience at the college level in astronomy or physics

Preferred Qualifications : 

• Ph.D. in astronomy or astrophysics held by the time of employment

• Successful teaching experience as the instructor of record for introductory astronomy courses at the college level

• Demonstrated interest and experience in course/curriculum design

• Experience in developing and presenting astronomy-related outreach events and/or planetarium presentations

• Demonstrated effectiveness working in a collaborative environment with other instructors

Department/Program & College Description :

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has multiple missions including nationally recognized research, a PhD program in Physics and Astronomy, and undergraduate Physics major and Astronomy minor programs. Our large-enrollment introductory astronomy courses primarily provide a general education experience for students from a variety of majors. They also introduce the field to our undergraduate physics majors interested in astronomy and astrophysics. The department has a small planetarium equipped with a digital projector that is used for both instruction and outreach purposes.

Department Unit/Website :

Proposed Start Date:

August 16, 2024

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

May 15, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

09 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
3) Contact Information for Three References

For guaranteed consideration, applications must be received by Wednesday, June 19th.

If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Charles Kerton at or call . Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:

May 21, 2024

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:

R14759

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top public universities in the nation. Over 36,000 students are enrolled and served by over 6,200 faculty and staff (see Ames, Iowa is a progressive community of 60,000, located approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, and recently voted the best college town in the nation (see Iowa State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants, including women, underrepresented minorities, and veterans. ISU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of policies, and is an NSF ADVANCE institution. Iowa State University 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, or protected Veteran status and will not be discriminated against.

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