Assistant/Associate Professor of Physics

Position Title:

Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor in Physics

Appointment Type:

Faculty

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Physics & Astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University invites candidates to apply for a term faculty teaching position at the Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor rank, depending on relevant experience. Responsibilities include teaching large in-person introductory physics courses, although course assignments may evolve over time. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with experience in and a sincere commitment to student-centric teaching. The candidate’s primary responsibility will be to improve student success and retention in introductory physics courses, especially calculus-based physics. They will play a key role as part of a collaborative project with other faculty from physics and engineering. The candidate will bring teaching innovation and new ideas to these courses. The position also involves service work within the department, especially with regards to undergraduate affairs, as well as other parts of the life of the department and college.

The successful candidate will have excellent teaching, teamwork, and communications skills and provide a pedagogically effective and welcoming learning experience for students with various backgrounds.  Teaching faculty are fully integrated into the department with voting rights on all matters, save for a few such as the granting of tenure.

This is a 9-month position with an initial 3-year term. This position has the possibility of renewal contingent upon budget, department staffing needs, and following a successful departmental review. Opportunities for teaching summer and winter school courses are also available.

Iowa State University strives to be the university that cultivates an equitable and inclusive environment where students, faculty, and staff flourish. To that end, we welcome candidates from various and underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Assistant Teaching Professor:

MS in physics or a closely related area

Teaching experience at the university level in physics or a related area

Associate Teaching Professor:

MS in physics or a closely related area

A minimum of 5 years of directly relevant university teaching experience in physics or a related area after receipt of the graduate degree

Preferred Qualifications:

Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field held by the time of employment

Successful teaching experience as the instructor of record in physics at the university level, including demonstrated ability to teach introductory calculus-based physics to students with a wide range of abilities in mathematics and problem solving.

Experience with improving student success and/or curricular innovation in introductory physics courses.

Effectiveness working in a collaborative environment with other instructors.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has multiple missions including nationally recognized research, a PhD program in Physics and Astronomy, a Physics Majors program, and the teaching of large enrollment courses for undergraduate students across the university, most notably calculus based introductory courses for engineering students.  We seek to strengthen our expertise in teaching these large enrollment physics courses to better serve students who pursue careers in science and technology.

Department Unit/Website:

https://www.physastro.iastate.edu/

Proposed Start Date:

August 16, 2023

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

May 15, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

09 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Part time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Cover Letter addressing qualifications for position and level

2) Curriculum Vitae

3) Contact information for three references, with at least one who can speak to teaching experience and/or potential
4) Statement of teaching experience and/or philosophy (1-2 pages)

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans;
• Generous leave plans;
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa);
• Life insurance and long-term disability;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Wellbeing program.

Original Posting Date:

June 16, 2023

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:

R12139