Instructional Assistant Professor in Physics

Classification Title:

Lecturer

Job Description:

The Department of Physics at the University of Florida (UF) seeks qualified applicants for a full-time, nine-month, renewable, non-tenure-track position at the rank of Lecturer (working title: Instructional Assistant Professor) to begin on August 16, 2025.

The successful candidate 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 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.

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.

UF is the state's oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land grant university with an enrollment of over 50,000 students and was ranked 7 th in the country among public universities (US News and World Report 2024 rankings), and 1 st 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 .

Expected Salary:

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation includes a full benefits package.

Employment Benefits include:

Health Insurance: UF participates in state- and university-sponsored benefits programs for individuals, families, and domestic partners, and offers voluntary insurance that includes vision, dental, long-term disability and more.

Retirement Options: Attractive options include Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, and Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan.

Leave: UF staff enjoy a generous paid leave plan as well as access to a sick-leave pool, parental leave, and leave payouts

Minimum Requirements:

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

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with some of the teaching improvements mentioned above is preferred.
Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a summary of physics teaching background and experience, (4) 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 (5) 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.

Applications will be reviewed beginning November 15, 2024, and the position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority. For more information, please contact Prof. Shawn Weatherford ( sweatherford@ufl.edu ).

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered official if a designation of Issued to Student is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ .

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 in order 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.

Health Assessment Required:
No

Advertised: 03 Oct 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: