The Department of Physics and Astronomy has the following job openings:

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
(Tenure track faculty position in experimental physics)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy (CGWA) invite applications for a tenure track faculty position to start as early as possible and no later than Fall of 2010. The appointment will be made at an Assistant Professor level for a junior candidate who has the potential of establishing himself/herself as a leader in the field.

The CGWA is funded by NASA and NSF and its mission is to support research and education in all areas of gravitational wave detection, including the NSF LIGO project and the NASA-ESA LISA mission. Currently, the CGWA consists of thirteen faculty members and a number of students and postdocs. The physics program at UTB ranks as one of the youngest and most successful in the state of Texas.

The CGWA is interested in selecting a candidate in any area of experimental physics with potential applications to gravitational-wave detection and high-precision measurements in general. Candidates with strong background in optical, atomic, and molecular physics who are interested in expanding their research in directions relevant to gravitational-wave detection are encouraged to apply. In addition, we expect the successful candidate to have a strong track record in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, and to have a keen interest in interacting with local industry and local community to promote scientific and economical growth of this region.

To be considered, the candidate must send: (1) a letter of application addressing the qualifications above, (2) a Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications and funded projects, (3) a research plan, describing its relevance to the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy, and (4) at least three letters of recommendation.

Complete applications should be sent to: Dr. Volker Quetschke, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at Brownsville, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520 or submitted electronically to . Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2010, and will continue until the position is filled.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
(several postdoctoral positions in experimental physics and astrophysics)

The Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy (CGWA) at the University of Texas at Brownsville is opening several postdoctoral positions in experimental and/or theoretical gravitational-wave physics. Initial appointments will be for one year, with subsequent re-appointments contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

The theoretical research at the Center focuses on astrophysical source modeling, analysis of data from operational ground-based gravitational wave detectors, LISA data analysis and the phenomenological astrophysics of gravitational wave sources. The experimental research concentrates on technical aspects of the NASA LISA mission and on research supporting Enhanced and Advanced LIGO, as well as developing new techniques for future interferometric gravitational wave detectors. The center also has a strong program in gravitational wave detection using pulsar timing techniques. Researchers are involved in the NANOGrav and PPTA collaborations and the pulsar surveys at the Green Bank and Arecibo radio telescopes.

We seek outstanding individuals who are qualified to fulfill at least one of the following four profiles. Qualified applicants without gravitational-wave physics research background are also encouraged to apply.

Optics and laser interferometry
The candidate will work on experimental aspects of interferometric gravitational wave detectors, especially focusing on laser and optics related topics like noise investigations and laser stabilization on optical cavities and atomic resonances.

Real-Time digital control systems
The LISA research performed at the CGWA requires proficiency in fast digital controls systems and the ability to learn how to adapt and program DSP and FPGA hardware. The work is strongly related to the optics and laser hardware of LISA but is in part also applicable to LIGO and will require strong cooperation with our optics and interferometry group.

Theoretical gravitational-wave physics
The candidate is expected to work on data analysis and astrophysics projects with an emphasis on LISA related applications. There is a considerable overlap of this type of research with ground-based detectors and the projects can be at the interface of both types of detectors.

Pulsar timing and gravitational wave detection
The candidate is expected to work on all aspects of gravitational wave detection using radio pulsars. This includes, but is not limited to, the observational and theoretical aspects of pulsar searching and timing as well as gravitational wave detection using a network of pulsars.

A complete application should include (i) a Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications; (ii) a brief statement of research interests (not to exceed one page); and (iii) three letters of recommendation. The review of applications will begin Dec. 15, 2009 and will continue until all positions are filled. Please send applications to CGWA, c/o Leslie Gomez, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520 or submit electronic files to .

Please send your application to:

COMPUTER SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR

Position Number: FY 11-19

Reports to: Director of the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Scope: The successful candidate will be in charge of supervision, troubleshooting and maintenance of a local area network of mainly UNIX/LINUX workstations, one computer cluster and several LINUX, MacOSX workstations and servers. There will be some Windows base workstations. The system administrator needs to have the knowledge to configure workstations and servers using, TCP/IP protocol and a working knowledge of the protocols in use with MPI, SENDMAIL, mailman, configuration of APACHE web servers and email servers. Also, the candidates must have a working knowledge of C, C++ programming, understand PERL and other script languages and routines (awk, sed, python), and be knowledgeable in writing scripts to increase productivity and operability of the network, as well as create and maintain email distribution lists, CVA repositories and databases, etc… This is a security-sensitive position subject to Texas Education Code 51.215 which allows the employer to obtain criminal record history information. 

Education: Bachelor's degree in Physics, Computer Science, or related field is required.

Experience: This position requires three years experience in Information Technology support. Systems administration in diverse environments and/or analysis is preferred. One year of supervisory experience required. Knowledge of the UNIX and LINUX operating system is essential. Knowledge of network security (i.e. utilization and maintenance of secure shell environment, administration of high risk utilities, administration of a password protected and encrypted environment, set up and maintenance of firewalls) is required.   

Salary: As per UTB/TSC Classified Pay Plan.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and continue until the position is filled.

You may download a Staff application from our employment page.

Please contact us at:

STUDENT JOBS

A number of work/study opportunities are available for students based on their academic performance and qualifications for the job. For more information contact the corresponding person.

For a complete listing of the currently available jobs at UTB, please visit UTB/TSC employment.

The University of Texas at Brownsville is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants receive equal consideration in the selection process. We encourage applicants from members of traditionally underrepresented groups protected under the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Vietnam Era, and persons with physical disabilities.