Assistant Professor in the Field of Heliophysics

About the role

The Department of Space Science is seeking an outstanding scientist and teacher to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position in the field of heliophysics. This position will complement a National Science Foundation Established Program in Support of Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant awarded to UAH. Areas of particular interest include solar and interplanetary physics, especially research supporting the Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, IMAP, and HelioSwarm missions. Key focus areas are coronal and solar wind physics, including heating processes, turbulence, particle transport and energization (including pickup ion physics), and related space weather research. The department also seeks to expand expertise in magnetospheric and ionospheric physics and computational heliophysics, including AI/ML.

The ideal candidate will complement existing departmental strengths while significantly expanding research capabilities. The successful candidate will use theory, modeling, computation, and observations to address these areas, teach according to the department’s typical teaching load, develop at least two new advanced graduate-level courses reflecting their research expertise, and support and mentor graduate students pursuing MSc and PhD degrees as well as undergraduate students in summer programs.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent degree in Physics, Space Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, or a demonstrably closely related field.
• Minimum of two years post-doctoral experience.
• Published refereed international journal publications since graduating with a PhD or equivalent degree.
• Demonstrated record of submitting proposals as a principal investigator to a national funding agency (US or international).

Qualifications

• Published one or more papers annually in international refereed journals (e.g., The Astrophysical Journal, The Journal of Geophysical Research, Astronomy and Astrophysics, MNRAS) since graduation with a PhD or equivalent.
• Served as principal investigator on at least one federally (or nationally) funded research grant in the candidate’s field of expertise.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching and experience mentoring graduate students.
• Active participation in appropriate professional organizations.

About the department

The College of Science at UAH comprises eight academic departments, including Atmospheric & Earth Science; Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Computer Science; Engineering Technology; Mathematical Sciences; Physics & Astronomy; and Space Science. The College offers research-focused academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels, fostering innovation in collaboration with partners such as Cummings Research Park, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and Redstone Arsenal. The College prioritizes low-cost, high-quality education, professional development for faculty and staff, and a supportive environment for teaching and research.

About the university

Founded in 1969, the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is a premier doctoral-granting, comprehensive university addressing critical technological challenges. Part of the University of Alabama System, UAH offers eight colleges, over 100 areas of study, and 17 high-tech research centers and institutes. Located in Cummings Research Park—the second-largest research park in the U.S.—UAH maintains strong partnerships with Redstone Arsenal, NASA, and the Department of Defense.

About the location

Huntsville, known as the Rocket City, is a hub for defense, space, telecommunications, biotechnology, and diversified manufacturing. The metro area, home to over 1.2 million people, is the largest city in Alabama and offers a favorable cost of living, high quality of life, outdoor recreation, and a vibrant arts and entertainment community.

Appointment begins Spring 2027.