What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor - Physics, Computational Astrophysics Fall 2026 position at Inside Higher Ed?
Location:
Knoxville, TN
Open Date
Sep 1, 2025
Description
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION
COMPUTATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Computational Astrophysics. The Department has active research programs in computational nuclear, neutrino, and gravitational wave astrophysics, which are complemented by its research programs in experimental nuclear astrophysics. Both programs benefit from extensive collaboration with research scientists at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and from the world-class facilities there. We seek candidates in diverse areas of computational astrophysics to complement and expand these research efforts.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a PhD in physics or astronomy, or a closely related field at the time of application. The successful candidate will have established an exemplary record of research, as demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, citation statistics, invitations to speak, and scientific leadership roles the candidate may have assumed. The successful candidate will be expected to establish an externally funded research program in the Department and provide training for Departmental graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the Department. We are looking for candidates committed to undergraduate and graduate teaching, in physics and astronomy, as well as to innovation in the development of curricula and teaching methods.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy supports the University’s goals of expanding access to educational opportunities, removing barriers that limit such access, maintaining high educational standards, supporting student achievement, and preparing engaged, ethical, and responsible citizens for life in an increasingly interconnected and complex world. We strongly encourage applications from candidates that will actively contribute to this mission.
The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed both at substantially elevating the University's national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.
Application Instructions
Applicants should send a Curriculum Vitae including research and teaching experience, list of publications, Statement of Research, Statement of Teaching, and should arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted separately. All application materials, including the letters, should be submitted via https://apply.interfolio.com/172732. Only electronic applications will be considered, and acceptable file formats are .pdf or .docx. Applications are due on December 1, 2025. For additional information or questions, please contact Dr. Tony Mezzacappa via email at mezz@ukt.edu.
Anticipated start date is August 1, 2026.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
Knoxville, TN
Open Date
Sep 1, 2025
Description
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION
COMPUTATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Computational Astrophysics. The Department has active research programs in computational nuclear, neutrino, and gravitational wave astrophysics, which are complemented by its research programs in experimental nuclear astrophysics. Both programs benefit from extensive collaboration with research scientists at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and from the world-class facilities there. We seek candidates in diverse areas of computational astrophysics to complement and expand these research efforts.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a PhD in physics or astronomy, or a closely related field at the time of application. The successful candidate will have established an exemplary record of research, as demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, citation statistics, invitations to speak, and scientific leadership roles the candidate may have assumed. The successful candidate will be expected to establish an externally funded research program in the Department and provide training for Departmental graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the Department. We are looking for candidates committed to undergraduate and graduate teaching, in physics and astronomy, as well as to innovation in the development of curricula and teaching methods.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy supports the University’s goals of expanding access to educational opportunities, removing barriers that limit such access, maintaining high educational standards, supporting student achievement, and preparing engaged, ethical, and responsible citizens for life in an increasingly interconnected and complex world. We strongly encourage applications from candidates that will actively contribute to this mission.
The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed both at substantially elevating the University's national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.
Application Instructions
Applicants should send a Curriculum Vitae including research and teaching experience, list of publications, Statement of Research, Statement of Teaching, and should arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted separately. All application materials, including the letters, should be submitted via https://apply.interfolio.com/172732. Only electronic applications will be considered, and acceptable file formats are .pdf or .docx. Applications are due on December 1, 2025. For additional information or questions, please contact Dr. Tony Mezzacappa via email at mezz@ukt.edu.
Anticipated start date is August 1, 2026.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.