Bowdoin College’s Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications for a tenure-track faculty appointment in astronomy or astrophysics at the Assistant Professor level, beginning July 1, 2022. We seek candidates committed to excellence in both teaching and research. The position subfield is open, with a preference for candidates whose research involves observational components. The successful candidate will pursue an active research program that involves well-prepared undergraduates. In this expansion position, the candidate will join 6.5 (FTE) current physics faculty with a broad array of research interests, including relativistic astrophysics and numerical relativity. The successful candidate will enrich the College’s offerings in astronomy and astrophysics, while also having a genuine interest in teaching core undergraduate physics classes. As part of the expansion of our astronomy program the department plans to re-establish an observational facility on campus (with funding available already) and hopes that the new colleague will participate in the design and use of this facility. The Department is well resourced, including a modern machine shop staffed by a machinist and a class 1000 clean room. Teaching load is two courses each semester. A Ph.D. in Physics or Astronomy is expected by date of appointment.

Bowdoin requires its faculty to have a promise of long-term successful scholarly or artistic engagement and a strong commitment to inclusive excellence in their teaching. (For a description of inclusive excellence, please consult the following resource https://www.aacu.org/making-excellence-inclusive.) Bowdoin College offers opportunities for professional development, a fully-funded, year-long junior sabbatical leave (after three years of teaching and successful reappointment), and regular, generously funded, post-tenure sabbaticals.

Bowdoin is a community that warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds. We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We especially encourage people from historically excluded groups to apply. We recognize that recruiting and retaining faculty may involve considerations of spouses and domestic partners. To that end, where possible, the College will attempt to accommodate and respond creatively to the needs of partners and spouses of members of the faculty.

Bowdoin College accepts only electronic submissions. Please visit https://careers.bowdoin.edu to submit: 1) a cover letter; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) a description of your research plans; 4) a statement that describes your teaching philosophy and how your teaching, scholarship, and mentorship supports our commitment to equity and inclusion (https://www.aacu.org/making-excellence-inclusive); and 5) the names and contact information for three references who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation.

Review of applications will begin on October 8, 2021.

Founded in 1794 on the Maine coast, Bowdoin is one of the oldest and most selective coeducational, residential liberal arts colleges in the country. Located in Brunswick, a 30-minute drive north of Portland, the College is in an area rich with natural beauty and year-round outdoor activities. Bowdoin’s reputation rests on the excellence of its faculty and students, intimate size, strong sense of community, and commitment to diversity (35% students of color, 7% international students and approximately 15% first generation college students). Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses. For further information about the College and our department, please visit our website: http://www.bowdoin.edu.