The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Louisiana State University (LSU) invites applications for an open rank tenure track faculty position at the assistant professor, tenure-track associate professor, or tenured professor level. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, theoretical gravity, including quantum and semiclassical gravity, quantum field theory in curved spacetime, relativistic quantum information, numerical relativity, time domain and multimessenger astrophysics, computational high energy astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, and relativistic plasma astrophysics.
The appointment will be made at the rank commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, experience, achievements, and the duties of the position. Candidates at all three ranks are encouraged to apply.
The Department consists of faculty working in a broad range of disciplines, including theoretical and observational astrophysics, astroparticle and multimessenger astrophysics, neutrino physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, quantum information science, theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics, materials science, theoretical and experimental high energy physics and nuclear physics, theoretical general relativity and quantum gravity, experimental gravitational wave detection, and medical physics.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of LSU’s premier research departments with 52 faculty members, 19 postdoctoral researchers, 123 graduate students, and 18 staff. Grants and contracts support totals more than $8.5 million per year. Major research facilities available to faculty include a 1.5 GeV synchrotron light source at LSU’s Louisiana Light Source, the NSF’s Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) located in Livingston Parish less than 30 minutes from LSU, and the Center for Computation and Technology (CCT), an interdisciplinary research center with excellent supercomputing facilities. See https://www.lsu.edu/physics/ for complete information.
LSU, located in Baton Rouge about 70 miles from New Orleans, is the flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System. It is a Research I university with an enrollment of 37,825 students, including 4,704 at the graduate level. For more information, visit the http://www.lsu.edu.
Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to establish or strengthen an independent research program, teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervise graduate student research, and participate in appropriate departmental and professional service. The candidate will be expected to develop collaborations within the Department and across related units at LSU.
Required Qualifications: (All levels) PhD in physics, astronomy, or a closely related field.
(Assistant professor) Candidates who have completed all requirements for the doctorate except the dissertation will be considered, provided the degree is conferred by the employment start date; and clearly demonstrate potential for excellence in research, teaching, and other scholarly activity.
(Associate professor) Minimum of three years as an assistant professor or equivalent experience and have a sustained record of scholarly productivity, evidence of research and teaching excellence, experience in student mentoring, and professional recognition.
(Professor) Minimum of five years of experience as an associate professor or equivalent experience and have a distinguished and sustained record of research, teaching, mentoring, leadership, and professional service, together with national and/or international recognition appropriate to the field.
Additional Job Description:
Special Instructions:
All candidates must provide a record appropriate to their career stage of research excellence or clear potential for research excellence, as evidenced by peer reviewed publications or comparable scholarly contributions, and a commitment to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in physics and astronomy.
Attach ALL documents under the Resume/CV section of the application. Applicants must provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research experience and accomplishments, research plan, teaching philosophy, statement of broader impacts, and the names and contact information for at least three references. Official transcripts are required prior to hire.
For questions or additional information, please contact Dr. Jorge Pulin at pullin(at)lsu.edu.
The anticipated hire date is Fall 2027. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check. The committee will start reviewing applications on October 15 and will continue until the position is filled.
Skills Needed:
Preferred Skills:
Posting Date:
September 28, 2026
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
March 24, 2027
Additional Position Information:
Background Check – An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits – LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
Essential Position (Y/N):
LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.
HCM Contact Information:
For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or email HR(at)lsu.edu. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting.