Assistant/Associate Professor in Astronomy & Astrophysics/Origins of Life

Position Description

The Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at The University of Chicago invites applications for Assistant and Associate Professor in observational astrophysics relevant to the Origins of Life, broadly defined. The Department is seeking candidates who would strengthen the Department’s connection to the Chicago Center for the Origins of Life, which supports multidisciplinary research focused on understanding how life developed on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere. The Center brings together scientists across the Physical Sciences Division of the University of Chicago, primarily from the Departments of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Chemistry, the Geophysical Sciences, and Physics, to promote, encourage, and support fundamental research in this area, train early-career scientists in cross-disciplinary scientific exploration, and foster a community of innovative thinkers that will push traditional disciplinary boundaries in studying the history and future of life in the universe.

The University of Chicago is a founding partner of the Giant Magellan Telescope, and members of the Department have access to the twin 6.5-m Magellan Telescopes. Computational astrophysics is supported by access to high-performance computing through the Research Computing Center at the University and through connections to Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. The University of Chicago has an inherently crosscutting and interdisciplinary structure that is very supportive of newly emerging research opportunities and is open to the possibility of appointments with other departments. Department members are also involved in the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, the Enrico Fermi Institute, Fermilab, and Argonne National Laboratory.
The successful candidate will conduct an independent research program, and teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students.

The salary range for these positions is as follows:

Assistant Professor: $120,000- $130,000

Associate Professor: $135,000- $150,000

This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment. Individuals may be eligible for summer salary. This position may be eligible for housing support and a taxable moving allowance.

These positions are benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook (https://mybenefits.nfp.com/UChicago/benefits-guide/).

Qualifications:

Assistant Professor: All requirements for a Ph.D. in Physics, Astrophysics or a closely related field must be completed prior to the start of the appointment, expected to be July 1, 2027 or later.

Associate Professor: A Ph.D. in Astrophysics or a closely related field is required. Additionally, evidence of leadership in the field and successful independent research record is required.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online through the University of Chicago academic careers website at the following links:

Assistant Professor: https://apply.interfolio.com/192968

Associate Professor: https://apply.interfolio.com/192971

Review of applications will begin on November 16, 2026 and will continue until the positions are filled.

The following materials are required:

• A cover letter;
• a curriculum vitae
• a list of publications
• a research statement
• a teaching statement (which should include information about the candidate’s teaching and mentoring activities, teaching philosophy and goals, and should also, where possible, include a description of the candidate’s experience in teaching and mentoring students, research or teaching assistants, or postdoctoral fellows, and in fostering their learning and ability to do research; the teaching statement may also include relevant experience in teaching and mentoring students from a diversity of backgrounds, if applicable).

Assistant Professor only: applicants are required to request three confidential letters of recommendation via Interfolio

Associate Professor only: contact information for three references is required

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination (https://www.uchicago.edu/non-discrimination).

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.