Research Professor, Steward Observatory (Career-Track)

Posting Number
req26716

Department
Steward Observatory

Department Website Link
https://astro.arizona.edu

Location
Tucson Campus

Address
Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites candidates to apply for the role of Research Professor. In this position, the successful candidate will support ground-based instrumentation and observatory operations in the Large Fiber Array Spectroscopic Telescope project (LFAST). LFAST is a project designing and building optical array telescopes. The project is currently building and planning to operate the first prototype, LFAST-20X, which is comprised of 20 individual telescopes with collecting area equivalent to a 3.5 m telescope.

The faculty member will be a senior member of the LFAST team, working closely with astronomers, students, technical staff, data scientists, and end users to design, implement, and ensure smooth instrument operations for the LFAST-20X observatory and future arrays that may be developed in the coming years. As a senior member of the LFAST team, the successful candidate will play an active role in defining strategic priorities for the project.

The successful applicant will require knowledge of both standard and queue-based observatory operations and should have extensive familiarity with medium- and high-resolution spectrographs operating at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The CSHELL near-infrared spectrograph is currently being revitalized for use as the LFAST-20X commissioning instrument. They should understand and have experience with the full lifecycle of an astronomical scientific observation, from conception, to planning and execution, through data delivery and processing into derived products useful for scientific investigation. They should also have experience participating in and supporting instrumentation and facility reviews for similar types of facilities.

Steward Observatory provides direct access to various world-class facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing. Among these are the Large Binocular Telescope and 6.5 m-aperture telescopes located in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Applicants would be eligible and encouraged to submit their own science proposals and lead independent research programs, including seeking external funding for novel investigations.

This career-track appointment is not eligible for tenure. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work assignment in conversation with the supervisor.This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support development and operation of the LFAST-20X observatory and future arrays that may be developed in the coming years.
• Work across the LFAST team (faculty, students, engineers, and technical staff), with external stakeholders, and with the community of LFAST users to enable science from conception through data analysis.
• Lead the integration and operations of LFAST-20X spectrographs.
• Participate at a leadership level in internal and external facility and operations reviews.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in astronomy, optics, physics, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in using and/or operating ground-based optical and near-infrared spectrographs.
• Experience participating in and/or supporting observatory and instrumentation facility reviews.
• Experience developing and operating data analysis pipelines for astronomical data.
• Experience with standard practices for observatory operations and data collection.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using or operating the CSHELL spectrograph or equivalent near-IR instruments.
• Experience leading teams of engineers and researchers, managing priorities, and tracking outcomes.
• Experience in modern software practices and documentation including Python and Git.
• Experience mentoring students, postdocs, junior engineers, and faculty.
• Experience commissioning new ground-based observatories and/or instrumentation.

Rank
Professor

Tenure Information
Career-Track (CT)

FLSA
Exempt

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week
40

Job FTE
1.0

Work Calendar
Fiscal

Job Category
Faculty

Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay
DOE

Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies
1

Target Hire Date
9/8/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Chad Bender
Astronomer, Steward Observatory
[email protected]

Open Date
8/10/2026

Open Until Filled
Yes

Documents Needed to Apply
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant
Applicants should submit the following materials as part of their application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), which must include a complete list of publications
• Cover Letter