Job Information
Montana State University Assistant Professor of Physics in Bozeman, Montana
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 22017
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Stephanie McLaren, Search Manager
Physics Department
PO Box 173840
Bozeman, MT 59717-3840
406-994-7398
Email Address: stephanie.mclaren@montana.edu
Classification Title
Working Title Assistant Professor of Physics
Brief Position Overview
The Department of Physics at Montana State University – Bozeman invites applications for a tenure track position in the area of Experimental Space Sciences. The first five years of this position will be funded through the NSF FDSS program.
The appointment is expected to be at the Assistant Professor level. Candidates will hold a Ph.D. in physics, or a discipline related to space sciences and will have demonstrated the potential to conduct a vigorous and significant experimental space physics research program as evidenced by previous involvement in space-based instrumentation development, by their publication record and by supporting letters from recognized leaders in the field.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank Assistant Professor
Position Number 4A3160
Department Physics
Division College of Letters & Science
Appointment Type Faculty
Contract Term Academic Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type MUS
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.
Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. The College of Letters & Science ( CLS ) at Montana State University encourages individuals interested in advancing the University’s Strategic Plan diversity, equity, and inclusion goals to apply. Links to the University Strategic Plan (https://www.montana.edu/strategicplan/) ; Office of Diversity and Inclusion (https://www.montana.edu/diversity/) ; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color ( BIPOC ) Plan (https://www.montana.edu/diversity/bipoc/index.html) ; CLS Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (http://www.montana.edu/lettersandscience/diversity.html) ; and CLS newsletter, Diversity Matters (http://www.montana.edu/lettersandscience/deinewsletter.html) are all embedded here for reference. CLS is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in research, teaching, and service/outreach engagement, and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, the College encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of race, gender, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, national origin, disability, age, veterans status, and other underrepresented groups. MSU also recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples (https://www.montana.edu/hr/dualcareer.html) .
Duties and Responsibilities
The Department of Physics at Montana State University – Bozeman invites applications for a tenure track position in the area of Experimental Space Sciences. The first five years of this position will be funded through the NSF FDSS program.
The appointment is expected to be at the Assistant Professor level. Candidates will hold a Ph.D. in physics, or a discipline related to space sciences and will have demonstrated the potential to conduct a vigorous and significant experimental space physics research program as evidenced by previous involvement in space-based instrumentation development, by their publication record and by supporting letters from recognized leaders in the field.
Duties include teaching physics, both undergraduate and graduate courses, and involving students in formal multidisciplinary experiential training activities. The Department of Physics conducts active programs in both experimental and theoretical solar and space physics, as well as astronomy, theoretical astrophysics and gravitation. This strategic hire is directed at experimentalists whose research will complement existing activities and contribute to an increasingly robust and diverse research portfolio. Within the Department of Physics, the Space Science and Engineering Laboratory ( SSEL ) has pioneered the development of technologies that enable space research from small satellites. Active research programs in heliophysics include observations, modeling, and data analysis in solar physics, radiation-belt dynamics and upcoming observations of the ionosphere-thermosphere. Opportunities abound for utilizing large and small satellites, suborbital vehicles, long-duration balloons, and other space or near space platforms for research across a range of disciplines. The new faculty member will expand the department’s research within heliophysics, further enhancing our ability to compete for funding and to expand our multi-disciplinary, team-oriented research and education program.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
A Ph.D. in physics or closely related field.
Demonstrated research experience in experimental space science, as evidenced by a record of publication.
Demonstrated ability or potential to teach both undergraduate and graduate physics courses and to involve students from other academic disciplines in formal multidisciplinary experiential training activities.
Demonstrated ability or potential for excellence in advising of graduate and undergraduate students through research experiences.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Demonstrated ability or potential to secure extramural funding, independently and within teams.
Demonstrated experience in the development of space science instrumentation.
Demonstrated ability or potential to develop a research program that complements and expands current department research.
Demonstrated success in developing student, faculty, and staff diversity, particularly among underrepresented groups.
The Successful Candidate Will
Expand our Space Science research and development efforts, independently and/or in collaboration with the Space Science and Engineering Lab ( SSEL ).
Exhibit leadership potential for developing research programs involving spacecraft, rockets, and/or or high-altitude balloons.
Further the integration of learning, discovery, and engagement through experiential student involvement in team-oriented research.
Have demonstrated the ability or potential to teach physics effectively at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and eventually contribute to expanding the teaching of a space sciences curriculum.
Have an appreciation of diverse constituencies and be dedicated to supporting and enhancing Montana State University’s initiative for diversity, equity and inclusiveness and helping students from underrepresented backgrounds succeed.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
The Department of Physics is in the College of Letters and Science. The department is committed to education and research in physics, the study of the fundamental universal laws that govern the behavior of matter and energy, and the exploration of the consequences and applications of those laws. The Department of Physics is widely known for its excellent teaching and student mentoring and plays an important role in the university’s Core Curriculum. The Department of Physics has strong academic programs with several options for undergraduate physics majors, leading to the B.S. degree, as well as graduate curricula leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
The Department
The principal concentrations of the department’s research groups are in Astrophysics, Relativity and Cosmology, Condensed Matter Physics, Lasers and Optics, Physics Education, Solar Physics, and the Space Science and Engineering Lab. Numerous outreach activities carry physics to K-12 teachers, classrooms, and the general public. Student involvement is central to the department’s educational, research, and outreach activities. The varied accomplishments of our department are a tribute to the extraordinary efforts of the 26 tenure-track and research faculty, 13 postdoctoral fellows and scientists, 60 graduate students and 90 undergraduate students, backed up by an outstanding and highly motivated support staff.
Additional information can be found on the departmental website: http://www.physics.montana.edu/
The College
The College of Letters and Science (L&S), the largest center for learning, teaching and research at Montana State University, offers students an excellent liberal arts and sciences education in nearly 50 majors, 25 minors and over 25 graduate degrees within the four areas of the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics and social sciences.
Building on the great strength of our traditional disciplines, the college provides exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry. L&S is dedicated to supporting student success, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing an atmosphere in which discovery and learning are integrated and valued. L&S is at the confluence of intellectual tradition, discovery, and innovation.
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on January 10, 2022; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Diversity Statement
Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of
Montana State University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran’s status, sex, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.
Montana State University makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; recruitment@montana.edu (recruitment@montana.edu%22) .
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
MSU ’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/equity/policies/grievanceprocedures.html.