Assistant Professor - Physics, Computational Astrophysics Fall

Overview

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Computational Astrophysics. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has active research programs in computational nuclear, neutrino, and gravitational wave astrophysics, complemented by research programs in experimental nuclear astrophysics. Both programs benefit from extensive collaboration with research scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and from the world-class facilities there.

We seek candidates in diverse areas of computational astrophysics to complement and expand these research efforts.

Candidates should have a PhD in physics or astronomy, or a closely related field at the time of application. The successful candidate will have an exemplary research record, as demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, citation statistics, invitations to speak, and scientific leadership roles the candidate may have assumed. The candidate will be expected to establish an externally funded research program in the Department and provide training for departmental graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the Department. We are looking for candidates committed to undergraduate and graduate teaching in physics and astronomy, as well as to innovation in the development of curricula and teaching methods. The Department supports the University’s goals of expanding access to educational opportunities, removing barriers that limit such access, maintaining high educational standards, supporting student achievement, and preparing engaged, ethical, and responsible citizens for life in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates that will actively contribute to this mission.

The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed at elevating the University’s national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity, and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation’s best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.

Knoxville, TN

Sep 1, 2025

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION
COMPUTATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Computational Astrophysics. The Department has active research programs in computational nuclear, neutrino, and gravitational wave astrophysics, which are complemented by its research programs in experimental nuclear astrophysics. Both programs benefit from extensive collaboration with research scientists at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and from the world-class facilities there.

We seek candidates in diverse areas of computational astrophysics to complement and expand these research efforts.

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the Department. We are looking for candidates committed to undergraduate and graduate teaching, in physics and astronomy, as well as to innovation in the development of curricula and teaching methods. The Department and University emphasize expanding access to education and maintaining high educational standards. Applications from candidates who will actively contribute to these goals are encouraged.

Applicants should send a Curriculum Vitae including research and teaching experience, list of publications, Statement of Research, Statement of Teaching, and arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted separately. All application materials, including the letters, should be submitted via  Only electronic applications will be considered, and acceptable file formats are .pdf or .docx. Applications are due on December 1, 2025.

For additional information or questions, please contact Dr. Tony Mezzacappa via email icipated start date is August 1, 2026.