Two instructional faculty positions at the University of Florida
University of Florida Physics Department
Application
Details
Posted: 04-Oct-24
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Sector:
Academic
Work Function:
Faculty 4-Year College/University
Required Education:
Doctorate
Additional Information:
Employer will assist with relocation costs.
The Department of Physics at the University of Florida (UF) seeks qualified applicants for two full-time, nine-month, non-tenure-track positions at the rank of Lecturer (working title: Instructional Assistant Professor) to begin August 16, 2025.
The successful candidates will join 52 department faculty, including 2 instructional faculty. The primary teaching duties will be to work as a part of a team teaching over 5000 students who take introductory physics classes at UF each year, both in-person and online. Opportunities for summer teaching are likely. At UF, Lecturers have professional development opportunities, including a well-defined promotion structure, a professional development leave program, and access to potential funding for travel to conferences for presentations.
Position #1 - Apply online at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/533385/instructional-assistant-professor-in-physics - The primary teaching duties will be to work as a part of a team teaching over 5,000 students who take introductory physics classes at UF each year, both in-person and online. Depending on the applicant's background and departmental needs, involvement in other areas of physics instruction may be possible. The Lecturer will be expected to help with programmatic improvements in our large course instruction by, for example, training teaching and learning assistants, applying pedagogy from physics education research, including more active learning environments, or implementing strategies to encourage and maintain participation from groups underrepresented in physics and STEM fields. Although most of our introductory physics courses are taught in person, some amount of online teaching will likely be required. The Lecturer may also contribute to the undergraduate physics program through academic and career advising, establishing and/or promoting experiential learning activities, and engaging with the broader community with physics education outreach. The usual teaching assignment for instructional faculty is a 3-course assignment for each semester, which can be modified subject to overall assigned duties and responsibilities.
Position #2 - Apply online at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/533384/instructional-assistant-professor-and-online-teaching-coordinator-in-physics - The primary teaching duties will be to work as a part of a team teaching over 5,000 students who take introductory physics classes at UF each year, both in-person and online. Teaching assignments will include both in-person and online courses. Duties will include serving as coordinator of the department’s online course offerings, overseeing the systematic improvement of lecture and/or lab courses for online delivery, and serving as the liaison to UF’s online programs. Depending on the applicant’s background and departmental needs, duties may also include teaching and making programmatic improvements in our face-to-face undergraduate large courses, or other areas of undergraduate physics instruction. The usual teaching assignment for instructional faculty is a 3-course assignment for each semester, which can be modified subject to overall assigned duties and responsibilities. This term-limited position is renewable annually with funding secured for three years.
UF is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land grant university with an enrollment of over 50,000 students and was ranked 7th in the country among public universities (US News and World Report 2024 rankings), and 1st among public institutions in the Wall Street Journal 2023 survey. UF is located in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in North-Central Florida, 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and within a 2-hour drive to large metropolitan areas (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville). The beautiful climate and extensive nearby parks and recreational areas afford year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and nature photography. UF’s large college sports programs, museums, and performing arts center support a range of activities and cultural events for residents to enjoy. Alachua County schools are highly rated and offer a variety of programs including magnet schools and an international baccalaureate program. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at Visit Gainesville.
The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in physics, physics education, or a related field, and at least two years of experience teaching undergraduate physics. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a full benefits package.
Applications must be submitted online at the above links, and must include: a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a summary of physics teaching background and experience, a link to a short (5-10 minute) instructional video prepared by the applicant on a topic of their choice covered in a college-level introductory algebra or calculus based physics course, and the names and contact information for three to five references. Reference providers will only be notified of their upload link once an application is submitted in full, so early completion of an application is highly recommended.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted by November 15, 2024. Only complete applications will be reviewed at that time. Applications received after the deadline may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority. For more information, please contact Prof. Shawn Weatherford (sweatherford@ufl.edu).
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law. If an accommodation due to disability is needed to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at (800) 955-8771 (TDD). The Department of Physics is committed to promoting an environment that welcomes all abilities, classes, ethnicities/races, gender identities and expressions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service.
The Department of Physics at the University of Florida is making strides toward becoming one of the premier physics departments in the United States. We have active groups in astrophysics, biological physics, condensed matter/materials physics, and elementary particle physics. Our faculty are internationally renowned in their areas of expertise at the various frontiers of physics. Our undergraduate and graduate students participate in cutting-edge research that prepares them for successful careers in a wide variety of fields, many in of them pure or applied sciences but others drawing on the broader problem-solving and communication skills fostered by an education in physics.
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