Transformational faculty opportunity

The Department of Physics and Astronomy seeks a transformational faculty member in experimental space physics to lead the diversification and expansion of space-based research at the University of Iowa.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant experimental space physics group and revitalize one of the nation’s most storied departments. The right person for this role will receive strong support from the university and have the opportunity to:

Conduct and collaborate on transformative research in astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary science, earth and atmospheric science, and space systems engineering
Mentor talented principal investigators to provide scientific vision and lead ambitious space science proposals

Foster cross-campus collaboration around space-based research and expand Iowa’s success in space science and engineering across disciplines, and
Continue the University of Iowa’s legacy and secure its future relevance as a premier destination for space science.

70

spacecraft

University of Iowa-built instrumentation has flown on more than 70 spacecraft for 60 successful missions

$26 m

$26 million in annual research expenditures

averaged FY18-FY22

13

Current spacecraft

operating Iowa-designed instruments

Endowed chair and research support

The position comes with the title of Donald A. and Marie B. Gurnett Endowed Chair. During more than 60 years at the University of Iowa—beginning as an undergraduate in 1957 and ending with retirement in May 2019 as Professor Emeritus—Don Gurnett built a career that will be remembered as among the most influential in the history of American space exploration.

In addition, this position will receive a generous startup package and research support from the institution.

Van Allen Hall

About the Department of Physics and Astronomy

Building on the legacy of space pioneer Dr. James Van Allen, the department is an established leader among universities in Space Physics. Starting with the launch of Explorer 1 in 1958, our faculty and staff have built instruments for spacecraft including Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, Polar, Cluster, Juno, Van Allen Probes, and Magnetospheric Multiscale and sounding rockets. Since then, we have developed instruments flown on 70 spacecraft for 60 successful missions.

Today, the department is home to a diverse and talented body of students, faculty, and staff who conduct world class research and maintain state-of-the-art core facilities to enable faculty research. These include a modern machine shop staffed by three machinists, an electronics assembly center staffed by a NASA-certified technician, in-house quality assurance services, and extensive in-house test capability including vibration, thermal vacuum, and EMI/EMC facilities.

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Facility investments

A shared spaceflight hardware assembly, integration, and test facility is currently under construction on the 7th floor of Van Allen Hall.

This project will bring together several space physics research areas that are currently located throughout the building into one consolidated location on the seventh floor of Van Allen Hall. The space will be outfitted with climate control technology necessary to support the sensitive electronics and manufacturing work the department does for NASA and will provide room to expand the research taking place in this program.

Department facilities have been extensively used for the development of satellite missions, including the $120 million NASA TRACERS program, as well as numerous detector design and construction projects in the collider-based particle physics program.

Research activities

The department is building a destination program for space-based research and space-flight instrumentation. Major space-based instrumentation programs include:

TRACERS – $162.5M NASA Small Explorer

Lunar Vertex – 1st PRISM investigation

Sounding Rockets –ACES-II, TRACERS student experiment

High-altitude balloon FIREBall

Position qualifications

The successful candidate will be an accomplished, innovative, and visionary individual with a strong record of research leadership who is committed to the mission and vision of the department. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree and possess credentials commensurate with the rank of tenured full professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, as well as a strong track record of publication and extramural funding in their area of study.