Visiting Assistant Professor Of Physics - Augustana College

Job Description:

The Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy Department at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor position of Physics beginning in August of the 2024-2025 academic year, with possible renewal upon mutual agreement for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Our new colleague will join a growing Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy program that includes Physics, Engineering-Physics, Teaching Physics, and a B.S. in Engineering. The candidate is expected to be trained broadly in Physics with any specialization.

The teaching load is typically six courses per academic year. As our students come from many diverse perspectives, we seek applicants with an interest in fostering rigorous, inclusive, and high-impact learning environments for a diverse student body. The primary teaching duties for this position will be algebra-based physics, but the ability to teach across the physics curriculum is preferred and consideration of faculty specialization and interest will be considered.

The candidate will join an active, eight-member department with disciplinary interests in thermal fluids, environmental fluid dynamics, 3D printing and design, signal processing, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, planetary and stellar magnetic fields, observational astronomy, physics education, and planetarium directing. The department houses research spaces for environmental fluid dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, nuclear physics, and quantum photonics.

The engineering wing has a newly designed Maker Space with 3D printers, a laser cutter, a scanning electron microscope, and a CNC mill. Instructional spaces include a newly renovated electronics lab, design lab, and studio physics teaching spaces. All faculty at Augustana are invited to engage in professional development and mentoring opportunities consistent with their needs throughout their appointment at the college.

Appointment will be at the rank of visiting instructor or visiting assistant professor, depending on whether a terminal degree is completed.

We require no research or campus service in this position. Visiting faculty are welcome to be involved in the life of the department and college beyond their teaching. All faculty at Augustana are invited to engage in professional development and mentoring opportunities consistent with their needs throughout their appointment at the college.

Requirements:

Preference will be given to candidates who will have completed their Ph.D. by the time of appointment, although ABD candidates will also be considered. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate teaching effectiveness, a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the value of a broadly educated person, a commitment to fostering equity and inclusion, the ability to work with students in and out of the classroom, and an investment in supporting the work of colleagues. Experience and interest in working with students and community members of many backgrounds will be an asset for applicants.

Additional Information:

Augustana College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Augustana College provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. In particular, applicants who require the H-1B visa cannot be considered, and applicants who require sponsorship for visas other than the H-1B visa will be required to pay all costs associated with visa applications.

Application Instructions:

A complete application includes: a cover letter indicating an interest in and understanding of teaching in a liberal arts setting, curriculum vitae, copy of graduate transcript, and a statement of teaching philosophy. Questions may be directed to the chair of the department, Nathan Frank at nathanfrank@augustana.edu.

To guarantee full consideration, please submit all application materials by May 15. The position will remain open until filled.

Current courses offered by the department are listed in the college catalog; please describe your background in scholarship and/or teaching of any of these classes in your cover letter.