Monday, November 26, 2007

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN PHYSICS EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF POSTSECONDARY TEACHING AND LEARNING
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TWIN CITIES

Position description:
Research Associate (Job code 9702). Full-time (100%), 12-month (A-term), K-term (annual renewable) Professional and Administrative (P&A) position, renewable for up to three years and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Salary: $42,000

Required Qualifications:
* Ph.D. in physics education, physics, or science education
* Familiarity with and demonstrated interest in physics education research

Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience with research in student learning and/or problem solving
* Experience with collecting and analyzing student data

Duties/Responsibilities:
* Participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a study to assess the educational impact on students of the use of web-based coaches for problem solving in introductory physics
* Help in the development of a rubric to assess students' written problem solutions, including the creation and implementation of procedures for applying the rubric and analyzing data to determine its reliability and validity.
* Oversee the collection of data regarding students' problem solving skills from both individual students and entire classes and organize and maintain a database for the project.
* Supervise and assist in the training of personnel to use the rubric to analyze data on students' problem solving skills
* Collaborate with project PIs on the dissemination of findings from the research study
* Participate in some teaching of the introductory physics courses as necessary to become familiar with the instructional methods at the University of Minnesota.
* Assist as necessary in the production of the web-based coaches for problem solving

Program/Unit Description:
The Physics Education Research (PER) group at the University of Minnesota concentrates on effecting systemic reform in higher education physics classes with a focus on problem solving. The group is currently working on developing and testing computer software to coach students in problem solving and developing a generic assessment of problem solving skills.

More information on the Minnesota PER group can be found at
http://groups.physics.umn.edu/physed.

Application Instructions:
Interested applicants must apply online at http://employment.umn.edu.
Application materials include a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references.

Questions about the position can be directed to Leon Hsu (lhsu@umn.edu) or Ken Heller (heller@physics.umn.edu).

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Visiting Professor, Weber State University

The Department of Physics at Weber State University invites applications for a visiting faculty position beginning Fall 2008. We are seeking applicants with a Ph.D. or equivalent in physics or a closely related field at the time of appointment. Applicants should have a strong interest in all aspects of undergraduate physics education. The department currently has eleven faculty members with diverse research interests that include astrophysics, atomic and optical physics, nuclear physics, medical physics, particle physics, solid-state physics, physics education, and planetary science. Weber State University is a public undergraduate institution with an enrollment of 18,000. The university is situated against the Wasatch Mountains, 30 minutes from world-class skiing and 40 minutes from Salt Lake City. For more information: http://weber.edu/physics. Screening of applications will begin February 15, 2008. Position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Applicants must apply online at http://jobs.weber.edu and attach (1) a letter of application, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, and (3) a statement of teaching philosophy and research interests, including any projects involving undergraduates. Three letters of reference must also be sent directly to: Dr. Bradley Carroll, Physics Department, Weber State University, 2508 University Circle, Ogden, UT, 84408-2508. Weber State University is an AA/EO institution.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Assistant Professor Physics, Columbus State University

Job Summary:

The Department of Chemistry and Geology at Columbus State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment at the level of Assistant Professor to begin teaching in August 2008. Teaching duties will include teaching Physical Science for elementary school teachers and courses and laboratories to support a Physics minor and/or Astronomy courses. Other job duties include recruiting students into the departmental majors, academic advising, helping with existing programs to recruit and retain secondary science and math teachers, active involvement with and leadership in educational outreach activities such as Engineering Night, Science Olympiad, Science Fair, and/or Astronomy Night, and other service duties necessary to build and maintain a vibrant and collegial department. Interest in teacher training is a plus. Candidates must also be committed to quality teaching and to continued scholarly and instructional development. This position is available pending budget approval from the Board of Regents.

Minimum requirements:

Applicants should possess a strong and demonstrated interest in teaching and hold a doctorate degree by the time of appointment. The doctoral degree should be in Physics Education, Physics, Astrophysics, Engineering or related field. Possession of a doctorate in Science Education is also considered acceptable training if at least 18 hours of graduate education were obtained in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering. The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding oral and written communication skills and exhibit a commitment to excellence in science education in a student-centered environment. The successful candidate will be able to teach and work with persons from culturally diverse backgrounds. Familiarity with the use of performance standards and assessment is preferred. Applicants must satisfy the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requirements in order to gain employment at Columbus State University. A successful criminal background check will be required as a condition of employment.

Application Procedures:

This search will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected. Review of applications will begin immediately and preference will be given to applications received before January 18, 2008. For full consideration, applicants should submit a letter of interest describing relevant experience and qualifications for this unique position, recent letters from at least three references who may be contacted, a curriculum vitae, a comprehensive statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research interests applicable to a primarily undergraduate institution, a reprint of a recent publication(s) and/or conference papers, unofficial transcripts, and evidence of successful teaching experience to: Chair, Physics Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Geology, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907. Applicants must provide official transcripts at the time of interview. Columbus State University embraces its diverse student body and the College of Science strongly values outstanding teaching and those who educate future teachers. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Columbus State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. See details about the department at http://chemgeo.colstate.edu. Electronic applications will not be accepted.

Kim Shaw does PER at Columbus State. She'll be at the AAPT Job Fair in Baltimore.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Outreach Coordinator

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics seeks a Senior Scientific Outreach Coordinator to join the educational outreach team and help share the wonders of modern physics with the wider community. The position will involve writing and creating materials as well as preparing and providing presentations to students, teachers and members of the general public.

The deadline for application is November 23, 2007. To submit a resume, please email the document to Morgan Malinski at mmalinski@perimeterinstitute.ca

Canada's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is an independent, non-profit, scientific research and educational outreach organization where international scientists cluster to push the limits of our understanding of physical laws and calculate new ideas about the very essence of space, time, matter and information. The award-winning research centre provides a multi-disciplinary environment to foster research in areas of Cosmology, Particle Physics, Quantum Foundations, Quantum Gravity, Quantum Information and Superstring Theory. The Institute, located in Waterloo, Ontario, also provides a wide array of educational outreach activities for students, teachers and members of the general public across the country and beyond in order to share the joy of scientific research, discovery and innovation. Additional details are available at www.perimeterinstitute.ca


From John Matlock, Director, External Relations and Outreach, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Tenure-Track in Science Ed at ASU

Three New Tenure Track Positions in Science Education

The School of Educational Innovation and Teacher Preparation at ASU's
Polytechnic campus invites applications for three new open-rank
tenure-track positions in Science Education for Fall, 2008. These
positions present exciting opportunities to build new programs in
Science Education, conduct research in collaboration with faculty in
education, engineering, and the liberal arts, with the new on-campus
PreK-12 charter school, and with urban and suburban school districts.

QUALIFICATIONS- REQUIRED
* Earned doctorate in Science Education or in one of the sciences.
* Teaching experience appropriate to rank in science education at the post-secondary level.
* Teaching or school administration experience in PreK-12 educational settings.
* Research and publication record appropriate to rank

QUALIFICATIONS- DESIRED
* Experience with innovative course or program design at the post-secondary level.
* Evidence of leadership and team membership experience.
* Evidence of effective skills in written communication.
* Membership in Science/Science Education professional organizations.
* Evidence of collaboration with faculty in related fields.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Review of applications will begin on November 20, 2007; if not filled,
weekly thereafter until search is closed.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR MATH AND SCIENCE POSITIONS
Send letter of intent, CV, names of three references with phone numbers
and email contact information, and unofficial transcripts to:

Arizona State University
School of Educational Innovation and Teacher Preparation
Attn: Toni Ann Aguirre, Coordinator, Sr.
7001 E. Williams Field Rd., Sutton Hall
Mesa, AZ 85212

For additional information contact: Dr. Carole Greenes,
carole.greenes@asu.edu

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Tenure Track in Science Ed at Central Michigan University

The College of Science and Technology at Central Michigan University
seeks an exemplary teacher and scholar to fill a tenure-track position
at the Assistant Professor level in Science Education beginning Fall
2008. Applicants with a Ph.D. degree in one of the natural sciences or
closely related areas and a demonstrated scholarly record in science
education are encouraged to apply.

We seek a person who will teach relevant courses in his/her professional
field of expertise and who is expected to develop an externally funded
research program in science education. Excellent communication skills
and a commitment to supervision of both undergraduate and graduate
research students are required. The successful candidate should display
the potential for outstanding teaching, scholarship and for working with
others across disciplinary boundaries. For tenure purposes, the person
will be housed in one of the academic departments located in the College
of Science and Technology.

Candidates who will conduct research within the broad K-16 educational
framework are preferred, although outstanding candidates whose focus is
on improved student learning and teaching effectiveness only at the
collegiate level will be considered. We expect all candidates to be
well grounded in teaching pedagogies, active learning, assessment
strategies and national imperatives in science education. Proposed
research collaborations with other faculty and/or with public school
districts are desirable.

The College of Science and Technology is looking to develop a
broad-based externally funded center in science education and the
successful candidate should be well situated to provide a leadership
role in its formation. It is expected that he/she will enhance the
public visibility of the role of the scientific education programs in
the college.

Established in 1892, Central Michigan University has an enrollment of
27,000 students, including approximately 20,000 students on the
university's main campus. Classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a
doctoral research university, CMU is recognized for strong undergraduate
education and a range of focused graduate and research programs. M.A.
degrees with specialties in science education are housed in several
departments and the college is also developing a M.S. or M.A.T. program
in integrated science. There is a doctoral program in Mathematics and
an additional doctoral program is being planned in the Science of
Advanced Materials. There are presently over 130 regular faculty
members located in eight departments (Biology, Chemistry, Computer
Science, Engineering and Technology, Geography, Geology, Mathematics and
Physics), in the College of Science and Technology at CMU.

Please send a letter of application, curriculum vita, transcripts, a
statement of teaching philosophy and a proposed research agenda along
with three letters of reference to:

Dr. Jane Matty, Associate Dean
College of Science and Technology
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant,MI 48859

Phone: 989-774-1870; fax: 989-774-1874; email: j.matty@cmich.edu;
website: www.cst.cmich.edu.

Review of applications will begin on December 21 and will continue until
the position is filled.

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to maintain
diversity within its community (see http://www.cmich.edu/aaeo).

The College of Science and Technology is supportive of the needs of dual
career couples.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Two Visiting Assistant Professors at Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College solicits applications for two Visiting Assistant Professors of Physics for the 2008-09 academic year. The teaching duties for each position will consist of approximately 12 contact hours per week in lecture and laboratory courses at the introductory and upper level for various audiences. We seek candidates who have completed the Ph.D. in physics, although ABD will be considered. Candidates must have a record of successful physics teaching at the TA level or beyond, and be comfortable teaching with modern laboratory instructional equipment and software. Experience with a variety of teaching methods and/or curricular perspectives is also desirable. Due to a number of sabbatical and administrative leaves, the department anticipates continued vacancies for several more years, and successful candidates will be considered for continuation into subsequent years. These positions should be attractive to recent or imminent Ph.D. recipients who are considering a career at a liberal arts college or small university. This department considers the mentoring of new faculty to be an important part of visiting appointments, and has a successful record in this regard. Review of applications will begin in early February of 2008. To apply, send a letter of application, a complete resume, a summary of graduate course work, and request that three letters of reference be sent. At least one letter must be from a person who can supply an informed evaluation of the applicant's teaching experience. Send all materials by mail to: Dr. Steven Mellema, Chair, Physics Department, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., St. Peter, MN 56082-1498. See http://physics.gac.edu/position.htm. E-mailed applications will not be considered. Inquiries regarding the completeness of applicant files should be directed to Ms. Linda Hewitt at hewitt@gac.edu. It is the policy and practice of the College to provide equal educational and employment opportunities for all. We specifically encourage applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Fellowship at Institute for Advanced Studies in Graz - Austria

Dear Madam or Sir,
we would like to announce the

IAS-STS Fellowship Programme 2008-2009

The IAS-STS in Graz, Austria, promotes the interdisciplinary
investigation of the links and interactions between science,
technology and society as well as technology assessment
and research into the development and implementation of
socially and environmentally sound technologies.

The IAS-STS invites researchers to apply for a stay between
1 October 2008 and 30 June 2009 as

- Research Fellow (up to nine months) or as
- Visiting Scholar (shorter period, e.g. a month).

The IAS-STS offers excellent research infrastructure. Close
co-operation with researchers at the IFZ (Inter-University
Research Centre for Technology, Work and Culture;
see: www.ifz.tugraz.at), guest lectures, workshops and
conferences provide an atmosphere of creativity and
scholarly discussion.

Furthermore we can offer five grants (up to EUR 1,000 per
month) for long-term Research Fellows (up to nine months)
at the IAS-STS.

The Fellowship Programme 2008-2009 is dedicated to
projects investigating the following issues:

1. Gender - Technology - Environment
Women with their various interests, competencies and
potentials play an important part in the process of shaping
socially sound and environmentally friendly sustainable
technologies - as users and consumers or experts.
Applications should focus on research in the field of women
in traditionally male fields of engineering, on ways of
creating cultures of success for women engineers (students,
graduates), and on masculinity and the culture of engineering.

Applications must be submitted to the IAS-STS
by 31 December 2007.

For application forms and further information:
Please visit our website: www.sts.tugraz.at

Institute for Advanced Studies
on Science, Technology and Society (IAS-STS)
Attn. Guenter Getzinger
Kopernikusgasse 9
8010 Graz - Austria
E-mail: info@sts.tugraz.at