West Virginia University (WVU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair for the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. We seek an energetic and innovative leader with a strong record of scholarly and professional accomplishments to lead the Department to greater national and international recognition. The vision of the Eberly College is to be recognized internationally for its excellence in research, education, and community engagement; the Department of Physics and Astronomy plays a key role in meeting this vision.

The successful candidate will contribute to the administration, growth, and strategic direction for the Department. The successful applicant must have a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in physics, astronomy, or a closely related field; evidence of successful administrative leadership and excellent interpersonal skills; a proven research record with international recognition; and a commitment to education and outreach. Candidates must have a commitment to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment. Applicants must be qualified for appointment at a rank of professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has 25 tenured/tenure-track faculty members, 4 teaching faculty, 16 research faculty and postdoctoral researchers, 9 staff, more than 90 graduate students, 70 undergraduate majors, and annual research expenditures of more than $6M. The Department’s research and educational activities include strong programs in the areas of plasma and space physics, astronomy and astrophysics, physics education research, condensed matter physics, and biophysics. The Department operates the WVU Planetarium & Observatory and extensive community engagement activities. The Department offers undergraduate degrees (BA, BS), and graduate degrees (MA, MS, PhD) in physics. The Department was ranked 100^th in the 2018 US News survey of graduate programs in physics.

White Hall, in which the Department is located, includes three floors of research space which comprise 20 state-of-the art laboratories, a wing of low-vibration laboratories, another wing devoted to astronomy/astrophysics, two large lecture halls, eight meeting rooms, two medium-sized lecture rooms, eight undergraduate teaching laboratories, a dedicated computer server room, advanced machining facilities, a 60-seat, full-dome projection planetarium, and a radio and optical observatory. The move to White Hall in late 2011 revolutionized the organization of the Department. All incoming graduate students taking up teaching assistant positions have dedicated open-plan office space, while students moving to research assistant positions work in shared offices containing up to three students on the research wings in close proximity to their advisors.

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences serves as a catalyst for high-quality research, innovation, and learning, and is dedicated to leading WVU’s emergence as one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher education. The College has over 400 faculty, annual research expenditures of $20M, and approximately 4800 undergraduate and 1100 graduate students. With 26 academic programs and departments, 13 Centers (three of the research centers led by Physics and Astronomy faculty), and numerous resources for the broader community, the college is a growing and dynamic environment for education and research.

WVU is a R1 research land grant university located within 90 minutes of Pittsburgh and 3.5 hours from the Washington/Baltimore area. Morgantown has been recognized as one of the most livable small cities in the U.S. There are extensive recreational opportunities, excellent public schools, and a supportive University environment in which to develop a visible and productive career. The WVU Dual Career Program is available to assist candidates with suitable employment opportunities for spouses or partners.  The community lies within a high technology corridor that also includes several federal research facilities, such as the U.S. DOE’s NETL, NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation Facility (IV&V), NIOSH and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as private industry.

To apply, please visit WVU Careers, navigate to the faculty tab, then to the position title listed above, and submit: (a) a letter of application outlining your administrative experience and interest in this leadership position; your approach to managing your leadership role relative to research and teaching; and your philosophy of graduate and undergraduate education; please note, your letter may be shared with various constituencies throughout the search process; (b) curriculum vitae; and (c) contact information for at least three references who may speak to your skills in leadership and management. Applications will be processed until the position is filled; applications received by July 15, 2022 will receive priority consideration. The preferred start date of July 1, 2023, is negotiable. For more information, please visit https://physics.wvu.edu/ and/or contact the chair of the search committee, Gregory Dudley Gregory.Dudley@mail.wvu.edu.

WVU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The university values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.