Visiting Assistant Professor Of Physics

The Department of Physics at St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time, one-year position at the level of Visiting Instructor or Assistant Professor, to begin August 15, 2024. This position has the potential for additional years of reappointment.

The position includes teaching a variety of courses for undergraduates including both physics majors and non-majors. The primary offerings include introductory-level Newtonian mechanics for non-majors, intermediate-level modern physics for physics majors, and physics laboratory instruction.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or closely related field and demonstrated potential for excellent teaching at the undergraduate level. Candidates with a master's degree or nearing completion of their Ph.D. (ABD) will also be considered for appointment at the rank of Visiting Instructor. We seek candidates with enthusiasm for teaching in an environment where close collaboration with students is the norm and where inclusive teaching practices are encouraged and supported.

About the Department

The Physics Department at St. Olaf graduates an average of 22 majors per year and has eight faculty members, a technician, and an administrative assistant.

Visiting faculty members teach a full load of six course equivalents. The department promotes an interdisciplinary vision of the natural sciences. We partner with the Engineering Studies program and have two faculty members jointly appointed to other areas such as biology, neuroscience, and environmental studies.

We also maintain active connections to mathematics and computer science. Computational approaches to physics are emphasized in our introductory curriculum. To encourage an inclusive and vibrant community, the department and its students organize events whose highlights include Fall and Spring picnics, a speaker series, weekly teas, and workshops developed by our TEAM-UP group. For more information about the department, visit wp.stolaf.edu/physics/.

Diversity

At St. Olaf College, 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 webpage to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

How to Apply

A complete application includes:

• Cover letter

• Curriculum vitae

• Statement of teaching philosophy

• The contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship

Review of applications will begin on July 15 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position, department, or college may be directed to Dr. Amy Larsen, Department Chair, at larsena@stolaf.edu.