Planetary Science Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : UH Manoa - SOEST, Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 2026-01389
Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
Division: Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Position Number:: 0088508
Description
Title: Assistant Professor (F3) or Associate Professor (F4), Outer Solar System Science and Space Grant Associate Director
Position Number: 0088508
Hiring Unit: Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology/SOEST
Location: University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Date Posted: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: Continuous recruitment - application review begins 08/10/2026
Salary Information: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience
Monthly Type: 9-month appointment, 11 month if appointed as Associate Director
Tenure Track: Tenure
Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Funding: General
Other Conditions:
If appointed as Associate Director and temporarily converted to an 11-month appointment, the selectee will receive nine (9) months of annual salary support from state funds. The selectee will be required to raise remaining months of salary support from extramural grants and contracts. Anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.
The Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP), University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UH Manoa), seeks applicants for a full-time, permanent, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor (F3M11) or Associate Professor (F4M11). We are looking for a highly talented individual with interests in outer solar system science who is positioned to take advantage of existing and upcoming high-priority missions and complements existing strengths and expertise in HIGP. Specific focus areas can include but are not limited to: icy ocean worlds and their habitability; giant planet and satellite interiors, atmospheres and surface geology; and small bodies, including trans-Neptunian objects and exoplanets; astrobiology in outer solar system environments; and laboratory, theoretical, computational, or observational studies of planetary materials relevant to these worlds. The successful candidate must pursue and obtain extramural funding to support a vigorous research program.
The selectee may also be appointed to serve as Associate Director of the NASA Hawai'i Space Grant Consortium (HSGC) and may assume the role of HSGC Director after successful completion of their probationary period.
Institution:
HIGP (higp.hawaii.edu) is a multi-disciplinary unit in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the UH Manoa, an R1 research university.HIGP solves fundamental problems in Earth and planetary science by the invention, development, and application of state-of-the-art instrumentation, exploration, measurement, and data analysis technologies and techniques. Programs embrace research and education in in-situ analysis of extra-terrestrial materials from comets, asteroids, meteorites and planetary sample return to study the evolution of the Solar System; remote measurements of the surface and atmospheres of the planets and moons of our Solar System, including Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, and icy bodies; invention and fabrication of hyperspectral imagers, spectrometers, and other instruments to make those measurements; small satellite (and CubeSat) technologies for exploration of the Earth and planets; materials science and mineral physics for characterizing the properties of materials under extreme conditions; geological and geophysical processes of importance to the State of Hawai'i, including seismic, volcanic, and tsunami hazards, as well as programs related to the water and energy security of Hawai'i (the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center). HIGP maintains state-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation to support this work, including the Hawai'i Space Flight Laboratory (a collaborative venture with the College of Engineering), the W.M. Keck Cosmochemistry Laboratory, the Advanced Electron Microscopy Center, and the InfraSound Laboratory.
HIGP faculty contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching on campus, and HIGP offers an undergraduate certificate and minor in "Earth and Planetary Exploration Technology," which provides science and engineering majors with the skills required to design satellite missions to explore our Solar System, as well as a minor in "Human Space Flight Technology".
The Hawai'i Space Grant Consortium (HSGC), housed within HIGP, develops and runs interdisciplinary education, research, and public service programs related to space science, Earth science, remote sensing, human exploration and development of space, small satellites, and aerospace technology. Chartered in 1990 under the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, HSGC programs span the Hawaiian Islands. With the help of industry affiliates, HSGC works to inspire and prepare students to enter STEM degree pathways and careers, and to promote public understanding of NASA's goals and missions. HISGC accomplishes this through a variety of projects: university research internships, innovative courses, workshops for educators, educational web sites and school programs, public exhibitions, lectures, tours, and more.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Conduct original research in the field of outer solar system science.
2. Pursue and obtain extramural funding to support a vigorous research program and HSGC activities.
3. Regularly publish findings in appropriate peer-reviewed journals and discipline-specific publications.
4. Teach one (1) undergraduate course per academic year in support of HIGP's Earth and Planetary Exploration Technology undergraduate certificate/minor, Human Space Flight Technology minor, or through other UH Manoa departments.
5. Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and supervise research assistants and post-doctoral fellows as required.
6. Provide experiential learning/research opportunities for undergraduate students.
7. Play a full and positive role in contributing, as a HIGP faculty member, to Institute governance.
8. Provide service to SOEST, UH Manoa, the local community, and the wider scientific community, that is aligned with the appointee's core discipline.
If appointed as Associate Director:
9. Serve as Associate Director (and eventually as Director) of HSGC.
10. Directs the Hawai'i Space Grant Consortium and leads its STEM education, outreach, and community engagement programs.
Minimum Qualifications for Assistant Professor (F3):
1. Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree from a college or university of recognized standing and in a field relevant to the position (e.g., planetary science, space science, physics, astronomy, or related field), obtained by the time of appointment.
2. Demonstrated scholarly achievement in the field of outer solar system science, such as a record of publications in scholarly journals.
3. Demonstrated ability to generate independent grant proposals and reports.
4. Experience in STEM outreach at K-12 and community levels.
5. Commitment to excellence in teaching and/or mentoring students.
6. Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.
Desirable Qualifications for Assistant Professor (F3):
1. Established record of research funding as Principal Investigator.
2. Experience participating in missions to explore the outer solar system.
3. Evidence of leadership potential in program coordination or team management.
4. Experience preparing and managing STEM programs at the university, K-12, or community level.
5. Experience with proposal development for education, outreach, or public engagement programs.
Minimum Qualifications for Associate Professor (F4):
1. Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree from a college or university of recognized standing and in a field relevant to the position (e.g., planetary science, space science, physics, astronomy, or related field).
2. Four years of service as Assistant Professor or equivalent.
3. Strong record of publication in scholarly journals in the field of outer solar system science, and other demonstrated scholarly experience.
4. Established record of research funding as Principal Investigator.
5. Demonstrated leadership in STEM outreach at K-12 and community venues.
6. Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring students.
7. Strong history of service to the profession.
8. Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.
Desirable Qualifications for Associate Professor (F4):
1. Five or more years of experience at the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent.
2. Established record of scientific leadership in the field/discipline.
3. Experience proposing and participating in missions to explore the outer solar system.
4. Demonstrated leadership in program coordination and team management.
5. Ability to build and sustain partnerships with academic institutions, industry, government agencies, or community organizations in support of STEM workforce development.
6. Record of securing extramural funding for STEM education, workforce development, or public engagement initiatives, including as PI or Program Director.
7. Experience with federal program management and compliance, including familiarity with NASA Space Grant or similar cooperative agreement structures, performance metrics, and reporting requirements.
To Apply:
Applications must be filed online at: Search for position number 88508 and click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen and attach the required documents, described below.
To apply: Compile a single pdf file including
1. A full curriculum vitae;
2. A two (2) page statement describing research interests, accomplishments, and future research plans;
3. A two (2) page statement describing experiences in, and approaches to, teaching and mentoring students and involving them in your research program;
4. A point-by-point narrative describing how you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications;
5. Names and contact information of three (3) individuals willing to act as reference checks;
6. Official transcripts (copies acceptable with application, official document required upon hire)
Applications are accepted until the position is filled. Review of applicants will begin on August 10th, 2026. Anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.
Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.
Inquiries:
Dr. Rita Economos, HIGP Search Committee Chair ()
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: