Astronomy (Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor)

The Department of Physics at Central Michigan University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position starting in Fall 2026. We are seeking an astronomer or astrophysicist with research focused on areas of theoretical, computational or observational astronomy that would complement the research and educational mission of the department.

The teaching component of the position involves undergraduate and graduate astronomy and physics courses. Lab components of the astronomy courses include the use of our on-campus Brooks Astronomical Observatory, which features a 16-inch Cassegrain reflector as its principal telescope. We are especially interested in applicants who can integrate computational methods and data analysis components into the physics and astronomy curriculum or can contribute to the operation of the CMU Brooks Observatory for education, student research, and outreach activities. The candidate is expected to involve undergraduate and graduate students in research.

The new faculty member will be expected to develop an externally funded research program at CMU that will involve the use of ground-based or space-based observatories, including opportunities associated with leveraging large datasets from comprehensive observational surveys, or whose computational or theoretical work applies to current topics in astronomy and astrophysics. Preference will be given to candidates who can engage in collaborative projects that provide attractive opportunities for CMU students.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.

You must submit an online application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Apply by February 6, 2026, to ensure full consideration for this position. Please submit a cover letter, a CV, a statement of research, a statement detailing your approach to teaching, and the contact information for three persons that can provide reference letters. Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

The Physics Department at Central Michigan University has ten tenured and three fixed-term faculty members and serves a diverse population including many first-generation university students. The Department offers undergraduate degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics and in Physics, as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics. Faculty in the department have strong research programs, having secured external funding of more than $5.1 million in Fiscal Year 2025. Current areas of research in astronomy include stellar outflows, variability, and magnetism (especially in the context of high-mass stars). Other areas of research include theoretical and experimental nuclear physics and astrophysics, and computational and experimental research in condensed matter physics. Physics faculty routinely utilize major research facilities such as the Advanced Photon Source at ANL, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at MSU, RIKEN Nishina Center in Japan, and NERSC. In addition to its strong commitment to research and teaching, the Department of Physics fosters an environment with equitable access and participation for all individuals, which is essential to the quality of our academic activities.

For more information, please visit our department website.

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

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