The Plumian Professorship of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy

The Board of Electors and the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) invite applications for the prestigious Plumian Professorship of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy with effect from 1 October 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The Plumian Professorship of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy is one of two Institute of Astronomy endowed professorships and was until recently held by Professor Chris Reynolds. The other is the Professorship of Astrophysics (1909) which will be taken up by Professor Hiranya Peiris in October 2023. Further information on these two professorships, including previous holders, can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumian_Professor_of_Astronomy_and_Experimental_Philosophy and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_of_Astrophysics_(Cambridge)#Professors_of_Astrophysics_(1909).

Candidates will have an outstanding research record of international stature in observational or theoretical astronomy and astrophysics and the vision, leadership, experience, and enthusiasm to build on the IoA’s current strengths in maintaining and developing a leading research presence. They will hold a PhD or equivalent postgraduate qualification.

Standard professorial duties include teaching and research, examining, supervision, and administration. The Professor will be based in Cambridge, United Kingdom and a competitive salary will be offered.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The IoA particularly welcomes applications from traditionally under-represented groups, including women and/or candidates from an ethnic minority background. We have an active Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a Career Support Fund, a formally returning-carers scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday pay schemes, and a shared parental leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for an extension to the contract to compensate for the parental leave taken.

Further information is available at: http://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/professorships or contact the Human Resources, University Offices, The Old Schools, Cambridge, CB2 1TT, (email: [email protected]).

Applications, consisting of a letter of application, a statement of current and future research plans, a curriculum vitae and a publications list, along with details of three referees should be made online no later than 15 October 2023.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Mark Wyatt, co-Director and Head of Department, Institute of Astronomy (email: [email protected]).