A unique opportunity exists for a faculty hire jointly between the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington, Kentucky and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) located at Michigan State University (MSU). The UK Accelerator Laboratory (UKAL) is a member of the Association for Research at University Nuclear Accelerators (ARUNA) and has a long and distinguished history. We now look to build the future of the UKAL in partnership with FRIB.

The UK Department of Physics and Astronomy seeks to fill a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant Professor level. This is a 9-month position in the regular title series with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2024. This position is a Bridge Position between FRIB and UK. The UK Department of Physics and Astronomy and FRIB seek a nuclear scientist who can build a research program that utilizes the low-energy fast neutron facilities at the UKAL, while having a major focus on radioactive beam experiments at FRIB.

The department seeks candidates in nuclear science who can support neutron induced reaction and scattering studies at UKAL using the 7 MeV model CN Van de Graaff accelerator at UK, and radioactive beam measurements at FRIB at MSU, the premier U.S. facility for the study of exotic nuclei. Current research programs at UKAL include nuclear structure studies related to double-beta decay, shape-coexistence and collective-excitation studies of nuclear levels, and neutron scattering cross section measurements important for energy production and homeland security, as well as other applications. It is anticipated that the facilities at UKAL will provide students with the learning advantages of a university research laboratory, while also offering unique opportunities for faculty, students and postdoctoral scholars for collaboration between the two laboratories and the unique opportunities offered at FRIB.

The successful applicant is expected to share intellectual interests with faculty in our department and on campus. In nuclear physics, for example, the extended group conducts experimental and theoretical research to understand the structure and interactions of hadrons and leptons and with nuclei, often in terms of their fundamental constituents and symmetries. Outside laboratories used include Fermilab, HIGS, Jefferson Laboratory, LANL, PSI, RHIC, SNS (ORNL), and TRIUMF.

Tenure-eligible faculty are expected to build a strong research program in their research field with the potential to attract external funding. Successful candidates are also expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring of students and be qualified to teach a broad range of courses in physics at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

A Ph.D. in Physics or a related field is required.

In order to be considered a candidate, applicants will need to complete the following two steps:

1. Submit your job market materials online here on AJO. Applications must include the following: 1) Cover Letter, 2) CV, 3) Research Statement, 4) Teaching Statement, and 5) a statement on their contribution toward inclusive excellence in teaching, research, professional activities, and/or service. In addition, please arrange for three recommendation letters to be uploaded via AJO.

2. Complete an application within the University of Kentucky employment system by visiting this UK HR link.

The University of Kentucky provides comprehensive benefits which are fully described at https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/our-benefits.

Questions about this search should be addressed to Dr. Brad Plaster, Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky (brad.plaster@uky.edu) or Dr. Sally Hicks, Search Co-Chair, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Kentucky (sally.hicks@uky.edu).

Application review will commence on April 8, 2024, and will remain open until filled.