"Assistant Professor of Astronomy"

Job Details

Job no: R-0000002441

Position Title: Assistant Professor of Astronomy

Work Type: Faculty
Full time
In-Person

Start Date: 07/01/2026

Job Description:

The Mount Holyoke College Physics & Astronomy Department invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Astronomy (tenure track) to begin July 1, 2026. We seek a candidate with a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts environment, who will establish a vigorous research program involving undergraduates. A PhD (anticipated or completed) in astronomy or a related field is required.

Mount Holyoke College is an active member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD), which provides multiple opportunities for research collaborations including at nearby UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the state university system.

The successful candidate will have thoughtful approaches to teaching at the undergraduate level and demonstrated experience mentoring students. The candidate will embrace working with students, faculty and staff who are broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. The candidate will teach across our core astronomy curriculum, which spans general-education to upper level astrophysics. With the recent merging of physics and astronomy, there is the opportunity to revamp the astronomy major sequence in collaboration with the FCAD.

The candidate will be required to submit statements concerning (1) teaching philosophy with illustrative examples, (2) research plan, and (3) a statement about mentoring a diverse student body, as well as a cover letter addressing your interest in Mount Holyoke and CV. For further information please contact Prof. Spencer Smith, Department of Physics & Astronomy at smiths@mtholyoke.edu. Review of applications will begin October 1 and will continue until the position is filled.

Minimum starting rate of pay: $90,000.

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants:

Apply online; application materials must include:

• A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications
• A complete resume or curriculum vitae
• For faculty positions, statements on mentoring, teaching, and research will also be required.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.