Physics and Astronomy Chair

The Department of Physics and Astronomy ( provides an attentive hands-on research and learning community for undergraduate and graduate students up through the PhD level. The program is recognized by the APS among US PhD-granting departments for our high percentage of female graduates placing second nationally at the undergraduate level and third at the graduate level (APS data for the period 2011-2013).

DU and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are strongly committed to a diverse inclusive and equitable environment of belonging for all. In alignment with this commitment and regardless of specialization successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to integrate content programming processes communication and sentiments to build a welcoming community of learning for all being conscious of individuals with historically minoritized identities. You can read more about DUs commitment to diversity equity and inclusion on the Universitys website.

Position Summary

The chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is a three (3) year term starting July 1 2025. The chair reports to the Dean of Natural Science and Mathematics. Responsibilities in this role include the orderly administration of the department; the management of staff and faculty (e.g. assignment of work merit promotion and tenure); the quality of educational program; and the maintenance of high standards in teaching and scholarship/creative work on the part of the faculty.

Essential Functions

The chair of the department:

• A tenured faculty member of the department with a reduced teaching load as negotiated with the Dean.
• Inspire and lead the department in advancing new and innovative research. Conducts research in their expertise in a capacity commensurate with the service load.
• Oversee and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department throughout the entire calendar year.
• Assigns faculty as instructors to scheduled courses.
• Prepares faculty evaluations for annual review and consequential reviews (tenure & promotion) and forwards reports and merit recommendations to the Dean of NSM.
• Reviews sabbatical leaves and other leaves.
• Conducts departmental meetings in accordance with the governing documents and procedural rules of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
• Facilitate ongoing collaboration and communication within the college department administrators and staff.
• Participates in NSM chairs meetings.
• Works with NSMs Assistant Dean Finance and Operations on budget development monitoring and overseeing department budget endowments and gifts.
• Follows and enforces all institutional policies and is a positive influence on the culture of the department and the university.
• Represents the department in official functions at DU and in professional organizations
• Is assisted in most tasks by the Department Coordinator.
• Evaluates Department Coordinator annually and forwards reports and merit recommendations to the Deans office.
• Is responsible for the hiring of positions within the department in collaboration with faculty search committee members.
• Some responsibilities are performed in collaboration with Departmental committees.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with peers divisions and senior leadership.
• Ability to collaborate and be comfortable dealing with ambiguity.
• Ability to create effective partnerships.
• Strong interpersonal skills including strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects have attention to detail and work effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to handle time-sensitive/confidential information appropriately.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics or Astronomy/Astrophysics.
• Tenured member of the faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Denver.

Preferred Qualifications

• Full Professor or Associate professor of Physics and Astronomy

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule

While the Universitys administrative offices are open Monday Friday 8:00 am 4:30 pm faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught service commitments and research agendas. The Universitys academic calendars are posted on theregistrars website(the law school is on a semester system and has a differentacademic calendar).

Application Deadline

For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 15 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary

The salary for this position is $34293.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.