Assistant or Associate Professor in Observational Astronomy

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Working at Durham University is a unique opportunity in a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The Physics Department at Durham is one of the largest in the UK and a vibrant centre for world-leading research and education. A World Top 100 department in the 2025 QS subject rankings, our research spans advanced instrumentation, astronomy and astrophysics, condensed matter physics, cosmology, particle physics and quantum physics. It has real-world impact, informing developments in energy storage, improved cancer imaging, quantum computing, nuclear fusion, pandemic modelling and faster digital technologies.

The Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA) is one of the largest groups of observational astronomers in Europe with 21 academic staff full or associate members. We deliver world-leading research across the full electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-rays as well as multimessenger astronomy with gravitational wave and neutrino detection. Durham University is involved in various projects including BlackGEM, LSST, Euclid, DESI, 4MOST, SKAO and CTAO.

The Department of Physics seeks to appoint a talented individual to the role of Assistant or Associate Professor in the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA). We welcome applications from those with research interests in the field of observational astronomy and the exploitation of large survey datasets. Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates with a background in radio or sub-mm interferometry.

The University is committed to enabling all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive. Academic colleagues are supported to publish world-class research in their area of interest with a focus on quality in high-impact journals, rather than quantity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Pursuing research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
• Delivering excellent teaching offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels.
• Contributing significantly to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching, including the design of excellent learning environments and curricula.
• Attracting and providing excellent supervision to research students.
• Engaging in administrative work, citizenship and values of the Department.

Essential criteria include:

• A good first degree and a PhD (or close to completion) in Physics or a related subject.
• Evidence of high-quality outputs, some of which are recognised as internationally excellent or world-class.
• Evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Department’s and CEA research strategy.
• Significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.