Assistant Professor of Physics - Research

Job Title
Assistant Professor of Physics - Research

Requisition Number
FE05064

Working Title

Department Name
8E100:Physics And Astronomy

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Type of Position
Faculty

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Tenure Track Status
Non-Tenure Track

Required Education

A PhD in Physics is required at time of appointment.

Required Related Experience

N/A

Required License/Registration/Certification

N/A

Job Summary

The Physics Department at the University of Kentucky seeks to hire a non-tenure eligible Research Title Series faculty member who will conduct independent and collaborative research in astrophysics and plasma physics, with a primary focus on the development, maintenance, validation, and scientific application of the Cloudy spectral-simulation code.

Responsibilities will include advancing the physical and atomic-data capabilities of Cloudy; supporting major observational and theoretical research programs; and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. The position will also play a central role in externally funded research supported by NASA, NSF, and other agencies, including carrying out funded project objectives, preparing progress reports and deliverables, developing new research directions, and contributing to and leading competitive grant proposals. The anticipated Distribution of Effort will be 100% research. This position will be a 12-month appointment with an anticipated start date of November 1, 2026.

A PhD in Physics is required at time of appointment.

Applications must include a CV. Job posting will remain open until 10/31/2026.

Questions about this search should be addressed to Ganpathy Murthy, Physics Department Chair, University of Kentucky murthy@uky.edu.

Employment at the University of Kentucky is subject to fund availability and comes with rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The University generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, the University of Kentucky offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulations concerning smoking.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply
10/31/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.