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Summer 2026: Associate Academic Director for SSPI’s Summer Science Program in
Astrophysics
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Job link: http://sspinternationalinc.applytojob.com/apply/kZmZDX2BDu/Astrophysics-Academic-
Director-Or-Associate-Academic-Director
Position title: Associate Academic Director (AAD)
Schedule: Temporary full-time (6 weeks in June/July/August)
Location: Varies by program and host campus availability, with housing provided
Position overview
SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is an independent non-profit that offers teens an exhilarating and
inspiring immersion into hands-on experimental science during its Summer Science Program. 8
faculty and 36 participants form a supportive “living and learning community” over ~6 weeks (~5
for participants). Each participant team completes an authentic research project, taking and
analyzing original data. Afterward, they join a worldwide network of 4,200+ alumni of all
ages. More information can be found at www.ssp.org.
The Academic Director (AD) and Associate Academic Directors (AADs) work with the four
teaching and residential mentors (TARMs) on the academic side of the Summer Science
Program experience. SSPI provides lecture slides, lab guides/slides, lab protocols, and overall
program schedules for academic directors to optimize and customize to match their style and
specific campus needs. The AD and AADs will oversee the academic and research portions of
the program while ensuring participants are supported as they enter the world of research
science. Academic faculty will also attend weekly faculty meetings and contribute to the
discussion of each participant’s academic and personal growth and/or accomplishments. They
are also responsible for monitoring and supporting the social, emotional, and physical well-being
of the program participants. In cases of unsafe acts, behaviors, or conditions – all faculty have a
responsibility to report to the SD and SSPI staff as soon as possible. Outside of the summer
requirements, the AD and AADs have a shared responsibility to complete letters of
recommendation (when appropriate) for participants’ college applications.
Each AAD’s primary duties are to share the responsibilities of 1) mentoring participants and
TARMs, 2) leading lecture and laboratory sessions, 3) preparing the laboratory or research
spaces (during startup week and for each lab), and 4) bringing their expertise to the AD to
support them in making research and curricular decisions.
Travel Required
Live on or adjacent to your assigned SSPI host campus for 6 weeks during Summer 2026
(June/July/August). On-campus accommodations are provided. Special requests for off-campus
housing for non-local faculty must be made and approved in advance and will only be
reimbursed up to the cost of on-campus housing. SSPI will also cover domestic travel to and
from campus in addition to meals in accordance with policy.
SSPI's required faculty training weekend for senior Summer Science Program faculty will be
held April 17-19, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. SSPI will cover domestic travel to and from the
meeting with the hotel stay and meals being provided or reimbursed in accordance with policy.
Salary range: The starting salary for 2025 Associate Academic Directors was $17,000 and may
be subject to budgetary increases for 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Live on or near campus for 6 weeks, eat most meals with participants each day of the
program, and participate in occasional field trips and social activities.
Work in a close-knit, flexible, and adaptable team that includes the AD, SD, AADs, four
TARMs, and any technicians hired by SSPI.
Teach junior/senior university-level topics relevant to the research project to a group of
36 high-potential high school students in a fast-paced university environment.
Present background material required for the research projects using lecture outlines,
problem sets, laboratory procedures, and other resources provided by SSPI as a starting
point. These will be split ~evenly between the three senior teaching faculty.
Attend after-dinner ‘participant study hours’ 1-2 nights per week (as needed).
Ensure the research project is successful by troubleshooting equipment, adjusting
protocols as needed, and preparing materials for lab sessions (aliquoting, sterilization,
etc.)
Monitor the emotional, mental, social, and physical health and wellbeing of participants,
reporting and responding to concerns in collaboration with other Program faculty and
SSPI staff.
Report any unsafe acts, behaviors, or conditions, as well as any instances that might risk
serious injury or harm to participants or faculty, to fellow faculty and SSPI staff as soon
as possible.
While responsibilities are split between the three senior academic faculty, SSPI
estimates that faculty will be actively engaged with participants and/or other faculty for
the majority of the week, including evenings and weekends. This does not include
preparation time.
Consistently operate within, and be measured with respect to, SSPI’s Mission and the
SSP Honor Code. This includes supporting a positive work environment with respect and
consideration for team members and working toward resolving conflicts in a timely
manner.
Other duties as assigned by SSPI’s VP of Academic Affairs or SSPI’s Director of
Astrophysics.
Education: ADs and AADs will supervise students in observing near-Earth asteroids and using
Python code and orbital mechanics equations to determine the asteroid’s orbit given
measurements of its position. As such, a PhD in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, planetary
science, or a closely related field is required for both positions. In 2026, priority will be given to
those with formal or informal Python teaching experience.
Skills and Abilities:
Has worked as an instructor of record for one or more of the following courses (or
similar) at a college level and/or has extensive research experience in the following topic
areas:
o Programming in Python
o Calculus-based physics
o Astronomy
o Celestial mechanics
Expert interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills are required
Intermediate computer skills are required.
o Experience with a suite of productivity apps (Microsoft Office preferred)
o Experience with a course LMS (Canvas preferred)
Supervision of undergraduate research students, especially in the framework of a
Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), is desirable.
o Experience providing supportive and critical feedback on undergraduate
‘assignments’, particularly those focusing on academic writing, is desirable
Consider the access and equity issues that historically underrepresented populations
face in STEM fields as part of reflective decision-making and when engaging in crucial
conversations with Summer Science Program community members.
The ability to remain composed and make sound decisions during times of participant
and faculty stress and provide mental and emotional support as needed.
Use good judgment and critical thinking skills to make decisions that are in the best
interest of all parties, especially in high stress and rapid response situations.
Willingness to work collaboratively and compromise with others to achieve program
goals.
Working Conditions: The working conditions described here are representative of those that
must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
In-person, immersive residential program with routine, expected, and unexpected
evening and weekend responsibilities.
Live on or adjacent to campus, eat most meals with participants each day of the
program, attend evening work sessions as instructed, and take on-call assignments
(typically evenings/nights) per schedule.
Attend weekly team meetings and training; additional meetings may occur outside typical
hours.
Navigate campus buildings and learning/lab spaces throughout each day; participate
and attend field trips and community activities.
SSPI estimates that faculty will be actively engaged with participants and/or other faculty
for the majority of the week, including evenings and weekends.
Physical Job Requirements: Applicants should be able to perform the following physical job
requirements with or without reasonable accommodation:
May need to sit, stand, and walk and assume a variety of positions (i.e. bending,
kneeling, squatting, crawling, crouching, climbing, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching
at or above shoulder level, and reaching overhead).
Move from building to building on campus several times every day.
May be required to lift or move up to 50 pounds.
May need to maintain near and far visual acuity.
Must be physically present at the assigned campus/location throughout the program.
Must hear, understand, and distinguish speech or other sounds.
Clearance Requirements
Authorization to work in the United States
Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment screening
SSPI is committed to increasing diversity among program participants as well as faculty staff.
Faculty candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are
less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. SSPI values a diverse and
inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align
perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right
candidate for this or other opportunities.
