Positions Available in the Physics Department

Faculty Positions

Dark Cosmology

The Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for at least one junior tenure-track faculty position. This search is part of the establishment at Carnegie Mellon of the Center for Dark Cosmology with several associated additional faculty positions within the Department of Physics.

The Center for Dark Cosmology joins the efforts in particle physics and astrophysics within the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon. Historically, the Department has had a strong effort in particle theory and high-energy experiment. More recently, the Department has built up a theoretical and observational cosmology group, much of whose research is related to uncovering the nature of the dark part of the universe. The Center for Dark Cosmology synergizes efforts within the Department and capitalizes on unique collaborative opportunities.

The search areas include: theoretical astrophysics, with emphasis on computation and simulation; experimental astrophysics, with emphasis on the dark part of the universe and data mining; and particle physics theory/ phenomenology, especially as related to LHC physics. We seek candidates with significant accomplishments and promise for further achievement in the rapidly developing areas related to dark matter and dark energy. The focus is on tenure-track appointments at the beginning Assistant Professor level, but applications from more senior exceptional candidates will be considered. Successful candidates are encouraged to enhance links between the Department of Physics and the School of Computer Science, the Department of Statistics, the Software Engineering Institute, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh.

The anticipated starting date is September 2008. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, publication list, statement of research plans, and arrange for three letters of recommendation sent to

Dark Cosmology Search Committee
Department of Physics
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

For full consideration, all materials should be received by November 15, 2007.

For further information on the new Center, visit http://www.cmu.edu/cosmology/

Field of interest: astro-ph, hep-ph
Deadline: Thursday, November 15, 2007
Contact: Donna Thomas
Email:donnat@andrew.cmu.edu

Biological Physics

To continue the growth of its Biological Physics initiative, the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications from candidates for a tenure-track junior faculty position. We seek outstanding candidates in soft condensed matter that use physics-based experimental techniques to study phenomena of biological significance between the molecular and the cellular length scale. We are searching broadly. Areas of particular but not exclusive interest include membrane-related biological processes such as lipid membrane structure and dynamics; protein association with membranes; membrane electrostatics; transport phenomena and membrane reorganization. Carnegie Mellon and the Physics Department value strong interdisciplinary interactions, so preference will be given to candidates and research areas likely to interact synergistically with some of the many other groups in biology, biophysics, biotechnology, computational biology and biomedicine at Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Interviews will begin in Sept. 2007, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested individuals should send a resume, research and teaching plans, as well as lists of publications, invited talks and references to:

Biological Physics Search Committee
Department of Physics
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

McWilliams Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cosmology
Carnegie Mellon University

The Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for the McWilliams Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cosmology.  The appointment will be made to an outstanding researcher who is expected to carry out an independent program of original research.

This search is associated with the establishment at Carnegie Mellon of the new Bruce and Astrid McWilliams Center for Cosmology, which has recently benefited from a major endowment gift to Carnegie Mellon (http://www.cmu.edu/cosmology/). The Center joins the efforts in astrophysics and particle physics within the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon, and includes new faculty hires, McWilliams Postdoctoral Fellowships, a visitor program, and substantial dedicated parallel computing facilities and infrastructure.  The McWilliams Center for Cosmology also will link to computer science and other disciplines, providing unique collaborative opportunities both within and outside Carnegie Mellon.  Research directions of the Center include theoretical astrophysics, with emphasis on computation and simulation; experimental astrophysics, with emphasis on the dark part of the universe and data mining; and particle physics, especially as related to the search for and theoretical understanding of dark matter particles at the LHC. 

Appointments are for 2 years, with renewal for a third year likely, contingent upon satisfactory progress. In addition to a competitive salary, benefits, and relocation expenses, the McWilliams Fellow will receive a $10k annual fund for travel and research.

The anticipated starting date is September 2008.  Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, publication list, statement of research plans, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to

McWilliams Fellowship Search Committee
Department of Physics
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

For full consideration, all materials should be received by November 30, 2007.

Carnegie Mellon University encourages applications from underrepresented groups and is committed to equal employment and affirmative action.