Assistant Or Associate Professor Of Physics

The Department of Physics at St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position in Physics at the Assistant or Associate Professor level to begin August 2025.

Candidates must have expertise that can support the applied physics interests of engineering-bound majors. Applicants should demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching engineering and physics in a liberal arts setting developing an active, experimental research program suitable for undergraduate participation, attractive to external funding and contributing to the department's ongoing efforts to increase access and opportunities for student populations currently under-represented in physics and engineering.

Teaching responsibilities may include Introduction to Engineering Design, upper-level engineering courses that align with the applicant's interests and expertise, as well as courses in the physics curriculum at the introductory and upper levels. The ideal candidate will also contribute to the growing Engineering Studies program. Startup funds will be available.

Qualifications

Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or a closely-related field by the start of fall semester. Postdoctoral research, industrial experience, and/or prior teaching experience are desirable additional qualifications.

About the Department

The Physics Department provides a collegial, supportive and intellectually vibrant environment for faculty and students. The department graduates approximately twenty-five students each academic year and provides summer and academic year research opportunities to students in engineering, applied physics, biophysics, geophysics and theoretical physics. The Physics Department is at the forefront of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work and has worked to implement the recommendations of the TEAM-UP report (AIP, 2020). In addition to a Physics Major, the department offers an Engineering Program that attracts students from a wide array of majors.

For more information about the department and the Engineering Program, visit wp.stolaf.edu/physics/.

For more information about department efforts to promote inclusivity and sense of community, please visit our TEAM-UP website, wp.stolaf.edu/physics/physics/team-up/.

Diversity

At St. Olaf, we are committed to equity and inclusion.

We strive to be a campus of welcome where students, faculty, and staff thrive by bringing their full humanity-gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality, and age-to the Hill each day. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity, transparency, trust, cooperation, consensus, respect, and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening, cultivating a growth mindset, respecting those with different views, being informed by data, and understanding that the work is ongoing, collaborative, organic, and ever evolving. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

How to Apply

A complete application includes the following:

References: Provide contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship.

Supporting Documents and URLS:

• Cover letter: Discuss your vision for sustaining and expanding the Engineering Program including directing the program and supporting student endeavors, for instance, through internship placement.

• Curriculum vitae

Miscellaneous Documents:

• Diversity statement (500 word limit): Describe how you would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at our college through your teaching, research, and/or service. Include examples of your contributions when possible.

• Graduate transcripts (unofficial)

• Statement of teaching philosophy: Describe pedagogical approaches and practices in relation to effective teaching and mentoring practices in engineering and physics that support students of diverse background and preparation levels and are appropriate for both introductory level and upper level courses.

• Statement of research and interest: Describe your envisioned research program including a detailed description for undergraduate student involvement as well as strategies for obtaining external funding.

Review of applications will begin on September 9, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by that date will receive fullest consideration.

Finalist interviews are expected in November. Questions about the position, department, or College may be directed to Prabal Adhikari, Search Committee Chair, at tt2025physics@stolaf.edu.