Attention: Professor Woodruff T. Sullivan, III
The University of Washington has just established an innovative graduate program in Astrobiology, involving many departments (the above plus Aeronautics & Astronautics, Biochemistry, History (of Science), Microbiology, and Oceanography). The central research themes of the twenty participating faculty and their students are the evolution of planetary systems and terrestrial planets, study of the extreme forms of microbial life on Earth (now and in the past), early evolution of life, and all aspects of where and how to search for extraterrestrial fossils or extant life. The successful candidate will become a member of one of the listed departments in the College of Arts & Sciences, or hold a joint appointment between two of these departments.
The Astrobiology Program is funded in part through a long-term NSF IGERT grant for RA and post-doc positions; now in our third year, thirteen graduate students are participating. Present Astrobiology faculty are active in research on Martian exploration engineering, comets and interplanetary dust, solar system dynamics, properties of extrasolar planetary systems, global atmospheric evolution and circulation for Earth and Mars, phylogenetic analyses, geological evidence for early life, mass extinctions, extremophilic microorganisms, deep sea hydrothermal vents, SETI, and broader cultural implications of the field. Full information about the program is available at http://depts.washington.edu/astrobio; individual department Web sites can be accessed via http://www.washington.edu/home/departments/departments.html. We will consider strong candidates in any area bearing on Astrobiology.
Successful applicants will have a Ph.D. in a field relevant to Astrobiology, at least two years of teaching experience, a strong record of published research, and a demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research and education. They will be expected to effectively teach both undergraduate and graduate courses and to conduct a vigorous program of independent research.
The position is intended to begin in September, 2001. Please submit a curriculum vitae, E-mail and telephone contact information for three possible references, a statement of research and teaching interests, and two reprints or preprints that best show your research in Astrobiology to Professor Woodruff T. Sullivan, III Chair, Astrobiology Faculty Search Committee at the above address.
Priority will be given to applications received by 31 January 2001. The University of Washington is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.