Research Assistant Professor

Department: College of Science

Classification: 12-month Research Faculty

Job Category: Research Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: N/A - I/R Faculty

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students (BS), and 80 graduate students (MS and PhD). Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions, including the Applied Research Lab, Argonne National Laboratory, CERN, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the US Naval Observatory. For more information on the department, see http://physics.gmu.edu

George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is Virginia's largest university with more than 39,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation's capital.

Statement on Building an Inclusive Culture

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

This position is to support the space weather research in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at George Mason University. The research objective is to reveal and understand the physical mechanisms that are responsible for energetic eruptions on the Sun, including both solar flares and CMEs, the known main drivers of space weather. The research includes (1) using archived and latest space-based (SOHO, SDO, PSP, SolO) and ground-based (e.g., DKIST) data to study the week-long evolution of solar active regions that leads to energy buildup and structural change in eruption regions, (2) using observational data in all possible passbands to study the precursor phase and main phase of solar eruptions, (3) using analytic and numerical models to study coronal magnetic fields and their evolution for eruptions, (4) study the connection between CMEs and their heliospheric counterparts.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on the evolution of solar active regions using space-based and ground-based observational data to investigate the processes leading to the development and buildup of eruption-prone regions;
• Analyze observational datasets to characterize and understand the precursor and main phases of solar eruptions, including the physical mechanisms associated with their onset and development;
• Develop and apply analytical and numerical models to investigate coronal magnetic field structure and evolution, and examine the relationship between coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their heliospheric manifestations; and
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals; present findings at scientific conferences and workshops; collaborate with research partners; and assist in developing and submitting proposals for externally funded research projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in the field of physics or astrophysics;
• At least 3 years of experience of research at the graduate and/or postdoctoral level;
• Demonstrated knowledge of solar physics and heliospheric physics;
• Skill in scientific data analysis utilizing observational datasets from solar and heliophysics missions and facilities, including SOHO, SDO, and DKIST;
• Skill in the development and application of models related to solar eruptions and associated solar phenomena;
• Ability to analyze complex scientific problems, develop innovative solutions, and apply critical thinking in a research environment; and
• Ability to effectively communicate and disseminate scientific findings through publications, presentations, and collaborations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in the field of physics or astrophysics, with a focus on solar physics;
• Five years of experience of research at the postdoctoral level;
• Ability to conduct research related to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs);
• Skill in analyzing heliophysics and solar observation datasets, including HMI magnetogram data, AIA imagery, and CME observational data;
• Knowledge of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) theory and its application to solar and heliospheric phenomena; and
• Knowledge of and ability to integrate observational data and MHD-based modeling techniques to investigate solar activity and space weather processes.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Research Assistant Professor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent, CV, Publications/Materials, Research Statement and at least two Letters of Recommendations (to be combined into 1 document and uploaded) for review.

Posting Open Date: November 10, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 23, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes