California State University, Fresno
College of Science and Mathematics
Department of Physics
http://fresnostate.edu/csm/

Physics

Assistant Professor

Tenure Track

Fall 2026 (August 2026)

The Department of Physics in the College of Science and Mathematics at California State University, Fresno, seeks applicants for a tenure-track, academic-year position at the rank of Assistant Professor starting in August 2026. The successful candidate will serve as the Director of the Downing Planetarium, which has a 74-seat star theater and a Minolta MS-10 star projector. The planetarium and the adjacent Downing Planetarium Museum typically have over 15,000 visitors per year, mostly school field trips, public shows, and private shows.

Candidates with previous planetarium experience and a track record in one or more of the following areas are strongly preferred: citizen-science astronomy research coordination, professional-amateur astronomy research collaboration, astronomy public outreach, and science popularization. We are seeking candidates dedicated to teaching physics and astronomy at all levels, engaging students in high-quality research, and contributing to our efforts to recruit and retain new majors. Fresno State also has a Campus Observatory with a 16-inch telescope. An option, contingent on funding, may be involvement in Sierra Remote Observatories, a dark site 66 km from campus with 1.1” average seeing.

Our Students: California State University, Fresno, is committed to the success of all of our students with a focus on inclusion and providing high quality experiential learning experiences. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Qualifications:

Required Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent):

1. An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, planetary science, or a closely related field from an accredited (or equivalent) institution.

Required Experience:

1. Successful teaching experience (including teaching assistantships) at the college level.
2. Demonstrated success with research and scholarly activities, including recent peer-reviewed publications in high-quality journals and/or conference proceedings.
3. A strong background in instrumentation as the successful candidate will be expected to maintain the planetarium, run the shows, and install new shows.
4. Ability to demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferred Experience:

1. Planetarium.
2. Experience with grant writing and administration.
3. Interest in interdisciplinary collaborations.

Application Procedures: Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2025, and will continue as needed until the position is filled. Note: All positions at Fresno State are subject to funding availability.

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by December 15, 2025.

Apply online at:  http://careers.csufresno.edu

As part of the application, you will attach the following:

1. Letter of interest or cover letter specifically addressing the required and preferred experience
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Names and contact information of three professional references
4. Description of teaching interests and experience
5. Proposed research plan
6. Unofficial or official transcripts

Candidates invited for an on-campus visit must submit by mail/e-mail within the designated deadline:

1. Three current letters of recommendation (dated within 12 months of full consideration date.)
2. Official transcripts

The Search Chair will send information and requests for these items.

Committee Information and Search Process:

Search Chair:   Professor Ringwald
                       Department of Physics
                       College of Science and Mathematics
                       Email: ringwald@csufresno.edu
                       Phone: 559-278-2371

About Fresno State

 California State University, Fresno is an engaged university. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all. Members of the University community work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Fresno State is committed and dedicated to creating a university known for its integrity, civility, equity, respect, and ethical behavior.

Tenure-Track Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process.  For additional information, please visit:   www.fresnostate.edu/academics/facultyaffairs/procedures/facultyrtp/.  We value our commitment to the success of our faculty by providing services from the Center for Faculty Excellence to Research and Sponsored Programs.

Moving expenses, start up funds, and a reduced teaching load for the first two years may be available.

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The anticipated hiring range is $6,500-$6,800 per month for Assistant Professor (12 monthly payments per year).  As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package see the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

About the College and Department:

 The College of Science and Mathematics CSM) is dedicated to the holistic preparation of the next generation of scientists and mathematicians for vital and diverse careers in STEM using innovative High Impact Practices. We provide an environment in which faculty can develop and sustain high-quality research programs and meaningfully contribute to new knowledge in collaboration with students. We serve our community and the regional industry as an objective source for science education, literacy and interdisciplinary solution generation to challenges.  CSM, which consists of approximately 220 full-time faculty and part-time faculty, provides study for students in the areas of biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, physics, and psychology. CSM supports courses for majors outside CSM, such as agriculture, engineering, and the health professions and courses for general education of all university students are also offered through the college. CSM currently hosts the Downing Planetarium, the STEM Education Center, and CASA (Center for Access to Science for All) and has formal partnerships with the Water Institute, the Central California Children's Institute, and other entities. The College is involved in CSU collaborations with the CSU BIOTECH and COAST initiatives and an international partnership with ATLAS/CERN. CSM currently has over 4,000 undergraduate student majors and 250 graduate students, offering 11 undergraduate majors and 12 graduate majors. Faculty within the college typically generates over $4,000,000 annually in external funds. 

The Department of Physics at California State University, Fresno, also known as Fresno State, offers the BS and MS degrees in physics, and presently has 9 tenured/tenure-track and 10 non-tenured faculty members, 58 undergraduates, 97 medical physics students, and 13 graduate students. For more information, see https://csm.fresnostate.edu/physics/

Territorial Acknowledgement:

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land. 

Other Campus Information:

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at www.fresnostate.edu/police/clery/index.shtml.  Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

A background check (including criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily for this position. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn, or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment. You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following website: http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1083.html.

California State University, Fresno is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer consistent with CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.   Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.