Announcements

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment in experimental plasma physics at the assistant professor or associate professor rank. The preferred start date is August 2025.

The plasma research program at WVU consists of five professors, one research professor, ten postdocs and research scientists, and nearly 30 graduate and undergraduate students. Plasma research activities at WVU are supported by NASA, NSF, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the Office of National Intelligence. The state-of-the-art PHASMA experimental facility is a resource for new faculty. The plasma group is home to the Center for KINETIC Plasma Physics (kineticplasma.wvu.edu), a cross-disciplinary team with complementary approaches to address cutting-edge plasma science. Other research areas in the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy (physics.wvu.edu) are condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and physics education research. The entire Department moved into a new facility with state-of-the-art research laboratories in 2012.

 Responsibilities: The applicant is expected to establish an externally funded, nationally competitive research program. Teaching responsibilities will normally include one lecture course per semester in core areas of the physics curriculum (1-1 teaching load) and one course per semester equivalent associated with advising undergraduate and graduate students in research. The candidate will also be expected to serve the community, university, and profession.

 Professional Qualifications: Qualified candidates in any area of experimental laboratory-based fundamental plasma physics are encouraged to apply. Applications in laboratory plasma physics with connection to space physics are especially welcome. Minimum requirements are a Ph.D., or equivalent, in physics or a related field with a commitment and ability to lead an independent research program and to excel in teaching physics courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will present a record of research productivity as evidenced by journal publications, technical innovation, scientific collaborations, and the potential to develop an externally funded, nationally competitive, research program. For applicants at the associate professor level, a significant record of external funding is expected.

Application: To apply, please visit https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities and upload (1) a cover letter addressed to the Plasma Physics Search Committee, (2) a curriculum vitae including a complete list of publications and relevant teaching experience, (3) a research plan for the first five years including an estimate of research group size and equipment start-up costs, and (4) a statement of philosophy of instruction and any relevant supervisory experience. Please arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to plasmasearch@mail.wvu.edu. Review of applications will begin October 31, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Additional information is available at https://physics.wvu.edu/research/plasma-and-space-physics/wvu-plasma-physics-job-opening; please contact Earl Scime earl.scime@mail.wvu.edu with questions.