"Physics Assistant Professor"

California State University, Fresno
College of Science and Mathematics
Department of Physics
http://fresnostate.edu/csm/

Physics

Assistant Professor

Tenure Track

Fall 2026 (August 2026)

The Department of Physics in the College of Science and Mathematics at California State University, Fresno, seeks applicants for a tenure-track, academic-year position at the rank of Assistant Professor starting in August 2026. The successful candidate will serve as the Director of the Downing Planetarium, which has a 74-seat star theater and a Minolta MS-10 star projector. The planetarium and the adjacent Downing Planetarium Museum typically have over 15,000 visitors per year, mostly school field trips, public shows, and private shows.

Candidates with previous planetarium experience and a track record in one or more of the following areas are strongly preferred: citizen-science astronomy research coordination, professional-amateur astronomy research collaboration, astronomy public outreach, and science popularization. We are seeking candidates dedicated to teaching physics and astronomy at all levels, engaging students in high-quality research, and contributing to our efforts to recruit and retain new majors. Fresno State also has a Campus Observatory with a 16-inch telescope. An option, contingent on funding, may be involvement in Sierra Remote Observatories, a dark site 66 km from campus with 1.1” average seeing.

Our Students: California State University, Fresno, is committed to the success of all of our students with a focus on inclusion and providing high quality experiential learning experiences. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Qualifications:

Required Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent):

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, planetary science, or a closely related field from an accredited (or equivalent) institution.

Required Experience:

• Successful teaching experience (including teaching assistantships) at the college level.
• Demonstrated success with research and scholarly activities, including recent peer-reviewed publications in high-quality journals and/or conference proceedings.
• A strong background in instrumentation as the successful candidate will be expected to maintain the planetarium, run the shows, and install new shows.
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferred Experience:

• Planetarium.
• Experience with grant writing and administration.
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaborations.

Application Procedures: Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2025, and will continue as needed until the position is filled. Note: All positions at Fresno State are subject to funding availability.

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by December 15, 2025.

Apply online at: http://careers.csufresno.edu

As part of the application, you will attach the following:

1. Letter of interest or cover letter specifically addressing the required and preferred experience
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Names and contact information of three professional references
4. Description of teaching interests and experience
5. Proposed research plan
6. Unofficial or official transcripts

Candidates invited for an on-campus visit must submit by mail/e-mail within the designated deadline:

1. Three current letters of recommendation (dated within 12 months of full consideration date.)
2. Official transcripts

The Search Chair will send information and requests for these items.

Committee Information and Search Process:

Search Chair: Professor Ringwald
Department of Physics
College of Science and Mathematics
Email: ringwald@csufresno.edu
Phone: 559-278-2371