Assistant Professor

Full time Regular Employment at University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy

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Summary

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UH Manoa) College of Engineering (COE) invites applications for a new tenure-track engineering faculty position in the area of high-speed electronics in conjunction with detectors/detector arrays and/or advanced embedded control systems for ground-based astronomy as part of a Ground-Based Astronomy and Instrumentation Engineering Support Center launched this year in collaboration with the Institute for Astronomy (IfA). The Center is part of a broader Space Science and Engineering initiative at UH Manoa that recognizes Hawai'i's unique geography, cultural positioning, and leadership in the growing fields of ground-based astronomy, space flight, and exploration, and seeks to broaden the university's capabilities in these fields.

Center faculty members will provide operational and research expertise to directly support ground-based observatory needs. Each faculty member will contribute to engineering research, teaching, and service relevant to the Center. This initial cohort will provide direct support of ground-based activities for observatory operations including-but not limited to­ detectors, high-speed electronics, cryogenic and thermal management systems, optics, adaptive optics and photonics, prototyping, materials and manufacturing, instrumentation and control systems, and systems engineering. The cohort is the core of a multidisciplinary, multi-island engineering team, and as such, are general fund, full-time, tenure track positions. Given the role within a highly collaborative team environment and the expectation of a minimum 50% research assignment, this position is an 11-month position at the UH Manoa faculty rank of Assistant Professor (F3). While this position is a UH Manoa position, it will be physically located in Hilo on the island of Hawai'i at the IfA facility, and is expected to begin August 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

This significant, large-scale initiative places an emphasis on a collaborative approach to both research and education, focusing on hands-on-learning, teamwork, complementary technical expertise, and system-level multidisciplinary thinking. It will serve to expand Hawai'i's local high-tech workforce by utilizing and leveraging existing observatory facilities on Mauna Kea and Haleakala as platforms for new instrumentation and technology development, facility innovation, and proving grounds for operational upgrades and advancement. The cohort will serve as a dedicated engineering team to develop technical proposals, write grant applications, and perform engineering design tasks both at UH Manoa facilities as well as the Center home on the UH Hilo campus. Additionally, the faculty cohort will develop and deliver courses of importance in relevant disciplines to UH Manoa and/or UH Hilo. Center faculty will have access to well-equipped laboratories and machine shop facilities. Available computer facilities are extensive, including the Maui High-Performance Computing Center and state-of-the-art multimedia computer instructional laboratories.

Progress and achievement of each faculty member will be measured not only by their individual accomplishments, but by the individual's contributions to the success of the overall team and of the Engineering Support Center, as well.

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa is a Carnegie R1 doctoral university with a strong emphasis on research and graduate education, and is part of the multi-island, 10 campus University of Hawai'i system which also includes the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. While the position is one of five based at the IfA facility located on the UH Hilo campus, all of the cohort positions are UH Manoa faculty and report through the UH Manoa COE. All three COE departments, including the electrical & computer engineering and the mechanical engineering departments, offer B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees, and their undergraduate programs are ABET accredited. The primary teaching duties of this position will be associated with pre­ engineering courses offered through the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UH Hilo. For more information on the COE, including program-specific enrollment, please visit our website at www.eng.hawaii.edu.

The UH Manoa campus is dedicated to becoming a Native Hawai'ian Place of Learning, a place that is responsive to Native Hawai'ians and reflective of Indigenous Hawai'i where all can learn, grow, connect, and heal (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/ nhpol/). UH Manoa is also a designated as a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications for Assistant Professor:

1. An earned Ph.D. ("All but dissertation" will be considered) in mechanical, electrical or optical engineering, or a closely­ related field, from a university of recognized standing. Degree must be conferred prior to appointment start date.

2. Demonstrated experience with high-speed electronics in conjunction with detectors/detector arrays and/or advanced embedded control systems applicable to ground based astronomy.

3. Demonstrated ability to plan and organize assigned activities, including the work of assistants when appropriate.

4. Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and administrators.

5. Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.

6. Demonstrated experience to work with a multi-disciplinary team and lead assigned tasks.

7. Demonstrated excellent communication skills and ability to engage successfully in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment.

8. Demonstrated scholarly achievement, evidenced by a track record of conducting research and publishing scholarly materials, commensurate with the academic rank of Assistant Professor.

9. Ability to teach graduate courses in area of specialty, as well as undergraduate courses in aeroastro, mechanical or electrical engineering and a strong commitment to mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including students from different backgrounds with diverse life experiences and learning styles.

Desirable Qualifications for Assistant Professor

1. Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following: artificial intelligence; FPGAs; integrating GPUs with instrumentation; signal processing; design, construction and/or testing and validation of instrumentation and complex mechanical actuator systems especially within an astronomy or similar large facility (e.g., synchrotron or accelerator) setting.

2. Demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

3. Willingness to learn about, develop, and implement Native Hawai'ian, Indigenous, and/or place-based principles into curriculum, programming, and work culture.

Additional Information

To Apply:

While candidates who complete their applications by November 30, 2024 will receive priority consideration, the review process will continue until the position is filled. Applications will continue to be accepted, but those received after the priority date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents to the online application. The applicants should submit:

(1) A cover letter specifying the position specialization including a general statement of how their research interest aligns with the purpose of the faculty cohort and the new Engineering Support Center

(2) A one-page statement of their contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion;

(3) A curriculum vitae detailing research accomplishments and teaching/mentoring experience;

(4) Graduate transcripts (unofficial copies accepted, however, official transcripts will be required upon hire);

(5) A combined teaching and research statement outlining interests and future goals; and

(6) The names, addresses, e-mails, and telephone numbers of up to 4 references. Please do not upload or ask references to forward letters; they will be requested when required.

Applicants are advised that their cover letter and/or curriculum vitae should address each of the position minimum qualifications, as well as any desirable qualifications they possess.

NOTE: If you have not applied for a position before using NEOGOV, you will need to create an account. The maximum file size to upload/attach is 10 MB. If the attachment is larger than 10 MB, please split the file and upload it as a supplemental attachment.

Inquiries: Inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Dr. Steve Durbin, the Search Committee Chair (durbin@hawaii.edu). EEO/AA, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Egual OpportunitY-/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran. For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/

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 https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, 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: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation­ reguest/

About University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy