Job Listings
Astronomy & Astrophysics offer a variety of job opportunities, including positions in research groups, laboratory roles, potential staff positions, and occasional faculty openings. The following shows the current active job listings.
Temporary Lecturer - Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics
Position overview
Position title: Unit 18 Temporary Lecturer
Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04571
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $73, 817-$83, 083. The posted UC academic salary scales (Current Academic Salary Scales | UCOP) set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position: T15 Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and based on published UC pay scales.
Application Window
Open date: August 5, 2026
Next review date: Thursday, Aug 27, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Aug 4, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
THE DEPARTMENT OF ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS within the School of Physical Sciences at UC San Diego is seeking an outstanding temporary instructor for an undergraduate course in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Candidates will be expected to teach a diverse population of undergraduate students in the classroom and one-on-one settings in accordance with the course objectives. They will need to create and maintain a respectful, open, and inclusive environment for learning and be able to advise students on academic matters, while maintaining an active interest in the advances/current thinking in their subject area. Lastly, the candidate will need to utilize appropriate , relevant, and meaningful technology in teaching and learning.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Applicants must have or be a candidate for a PhD in Astronomy/Astrophysics or related field.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Ph.D. must be awarded prior to the start of the teaching quarter in order for an offer of employment to be made.
Preferred qualifications
Research experience, demonstrated record of mentorship, teaching experience in both lecture and laboratory-based settings.
Application Requirements
Document requirements
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Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
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Cover Letter (Optional)
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Statement of Teaching - 1 page assessment.
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Sample Syllabi (Optional)
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Misc/Additional (Optional)
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Misc/Additional (Optional)
Reference requirements
- 0-2 letters of reference required
Candidates new to the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics should provide at least 2 letters of recommendation.
Help contact: cmaldonadorodas@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
Click for more information on Assembly Bill-810
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• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: [https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH]
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: [https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination]
Job location
La Jolla, CA
Astronova Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Heising-Simons Astronomical Innovation (Astronova) Fellowship is a newly launched postdoctoral program designed to support early-career scientists who are developing cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation that will drive transformative scientific discoveries. Established in 2026, the Astronova fellowship provides up to 4 years of funding for salary support and instrument research expenses. University of California, San Diego Astronomy & Astrophysics is one of the inaugural host institutions that will support the mentorship, professional development, and laboratory space and facilities to support the postdoctoral fellow.
UC San Diego has advanced instrumentation laboratories led by four PIs (Profs. Kam Arnold, Steve Boggs, Quinn Konopacky, and Shelley Wright) that support a broad range of instrument programs. Current efforts cover a wide wavelength range, from gamma rays to the millimeter regime, and include the NASA Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission, Panoramic SETI, the W. M. Keck Observatory instruments Liger and HiSPEC, and the Simons Observatory.
Applications for AY27/28 are due by October 2, 2026, at 2pm Pacific Time. Questions about taking the Fellowship to UC San Diego can be directed to Prof. Shelley Wright (s2wright@ucsd.edu).
51 Peg Postdoctoral Prize Fellowship
The Heising-Simons Foundation accepts applications to the 51 Pegasi b Postdoctoral Fellowship. This prestiguous program supports Fellows conducting research related to planetary science, planetary astronomy, and astrobiology. UC San Diego is a host institution for the 51 Pegasi b fellowship program.
Applicants can apply to the Heising-Simons Foundation to work with relevant faculty at UC San Diego in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and/or the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The 2026-2027 is now open.
The Heising-Simons Foundation is accepting applications through October 1st, 2026 at 2 pm PT.
Questions about taking the Fellowship to UC San Diego can be directed to Asst. Prof. Samantha
Trumbo (satrumbo@ucsd.edu).
Assistant Project Scientist
The Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics within the School of Physical Sciences at UC San Diego is conducting an open search for Project Scientist (non-tenured, Assistant level) in the field of theoretical planet formation and exoplanet science to join Professor Eve Lee's group.
At UC San Diego, Project Scientists are academic researchers who are expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research team, but are not necessarily leaders of the research team. They are not required to carry out independent research or develop an independent research reputation but will publish and carry out research or creative programs with supervision by a member of the Professor or Professional Research series. Project Scientists may not serve as a Principal Investigator but may serve as Co-Principal Investigators with members of the Professor or Research Scientist series. University and public service are encouraged but not required, and they do not have formal teaching responsibilities. Appointment durations vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding.
For more information, please visit: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04379
Help contact: cmaldonadorodas@ucsd.edu
Margaret Burbidge Visiting Professorship
The UC San Diego Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics invites nominations, including self-nominations, of astrophysicists from underrepresented groups and/or astrophysicists who identify as women or gender minorities for the Margaret Burbidge Visiting Professorship Award. The 2025-2026 call is now closed. The 2026-2027 call will open in Fall 2026. The nomination period typically runs through October to January. Please see the website linked above for further information.