Job Information
Iowa State University Assistant Teaching Professor of Astronomy in Ames, Iowa
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: www.physastro.istate.edu
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 Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter3) 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 kerton@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-2298. 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
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.