Villanova University

Posting Number: 20241179F

Position Title: Visiting Assistant Instructor in Stellar Astrophysics

Position Type: Faculty

Location: Villanova, PA

Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months

Department: 182-Astronomy and Planetary Science

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, where the stress is on incorporating four critical components in a meaningful way: 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 6 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:A successful applicant will be expected to:

• Demonstrate the highest regard for the diverse, equitable and inclusive Departmental culture and uphold the true and complete respect for all students, staff and faculty.
• Partake in state-of-the-art research in theoretical and observational stellar astrophysics, computation astrophysics, astrostatistics, and/or exoplanetary science.
• Teach 2 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 and renown 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 terminal degree (PhD) is obtained by July 1, 2025.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Teaching: prior experience in teaching STEM classes to non-STEM majors is desired.
• Research: strong background in physics, astrophysics, statistics and programming is desired.
• Service: track record of the ability to work with others and to demonstrate diversity awareness is desired.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:

Special Message to Applicants:The Department of Astrophysics and Planetary Science will start reviewing applications on receipt.

All applicants must apply online and complete a faculty profile. Applications must include:

1. A cover letter expressing interest in the position.
2. A current and complete resume/curriculum vitae.
3. A research statement.
4. A teaching statement.
5. A statement of commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
6. Two letters of recommendation, the system will request the letters directly from the references when appropriate in the process.

If the applicant wishes to submit any other supporting documents, they may submit them online in conjunction with the application.

Posting Date: 10/22/2024

Closing Date (11:59pm ET): 

Salary Posting Information:

Competitive

Salary Band: 

Job Classification: faculty

Minimum Number of References Needed 2

Maximum Number of References Needed 2