Astronomy Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Posting Details
Come and join the Bearkat community!
Named after Texas' legendary hero, General Sam Houston, the university boasts a rich historical legacy that resonates with the spirit of Texas, which provides a balance between a peaceful, natural setting and proximity to urban amenities. With a student population of over 21,000, SHSU offers a vibrant and dynamic community. SHSU has a small town feel with large scale opportunities. Located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas and just an hour drive north of Houston, Huntsville provides area residents with a sense of community and belonging.
SHSU offers compelling options for individuals seeking a fulfilling and impactful career including a superior benefit package, competitive salaries and a flexible work environment fostering work/life balance. SHSU offers programs that support a healthy work-life balance, contributing to employee well-being and job satisfaction, as well as, professional development opportunities with our educational assistance and dependent assistance programs.
Position Information
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
Position Title
Lecturer of Physics and Astronomy
Requisition
202600025F
Rank
Lecturer
FLSA status
Exempt
Hiring Salary
Commensurate with education and experience.
Position Category
Position Type
Full-Time Non-Tenure Track
College
College of Science & Engineering Technology
Department
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
Open Date
03/11/2026
Quicklink
https://shsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/46440
Refer Applicants To
Contact Name
Prof. Joel Walker
Title
Chair and Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Sam Houston State University
1908 Avenue J (Box 2267)
204 Farrington Building
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2267
Contact Phone
936-294-4803
Contact Email
jwalker@shsu.edu
Position Details
Duties Performed in the Usual Course of the Job
The Sam Houston State University Department of Physics & Astronomy invites applications for a salaried lecturer position to begin in Fall 2026. Appointment is on an annual (9 month) contract basis with possibility of continuing annual renewal thereafter.
The primary responsibility of this position is teaching the core astronomy courses in our newly renovated Engaging Spaces classroom.
The instructional load is (4|4), i.e. four three-credit-hour courses for each of the fall and spring terms. A majority of instructional duties will be in-person, at the main SHSU campus, although a portion of assigned courses may be conducted online.
The department operates a new off-campus observatory (The Dominey Observatory), which opened in the spring of 2024. This wheelchair-accessible facility features an 18-foot dome with a 28" telescope from PlaneWave Instruments that supports imaging and also viewing at the eyepieces. The advertised position includes full observing privileges, and the successful candidate would be encouraged to participate in outreach programs using the Dominey Observatory, but organizing outreach activities is not required.
This position will be based at the main SHSU campus in Huntsville, Texas.
Educational Requirements for the Position
Requires a minimum of a Master's degree in Astronomy or Physics or a very closely related field.
Experience Required for the Position
Teaching experience is greatly valued in the selection process. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate that they are capable of providing quality teaching while maintaining an engaging classroom environment suitable for learning. The successful candidate should have a commitment to student success in our core astronomy courses for non-science majors, exhibit an ability to incorporate active learning styles in their presentations, and be able to teach introductory astronomy in various modalities, including face-to-face, online, and hybrid. The ideal candidate will have engaged in scholarly work involving astronomy education research, but such scholarship is not required.
Other Requirements for the Position
Special Instructions Summary
Requests for information and letters of recommendation may be directed to Joel Walker ( jwalker@shsu.edu ) from an official email address.
Please note: Reference providers listed in the References section of the application will receive an automated email reference request at the time the application is submitted.
Open Until Filled
Yes
EEO Statement
EEO Statement
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an "at will" employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code §51.215.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report