The University of Oregon Physics Department is seeking qualified
applicants for a combined position as a Physics Advanced Lab Lecturer to
start in winter or spring of 2013. The department currently operates
an upper division Advanced Projects Lab facility where undergraduate
students have the opportunity to: undertake long-term (2 or more
academic term), open-ended research projects or
technically-sophisticated experiments; present their results as talks
and short papers; and develop advanced data literacy skills to add to
problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding developed within the
regular undergraduate curriculum.
The successful applicant’s primary
focus will involve this facility, and is expected to be involved in all
of the following activities at some flexible level:
-
Supervising physics major undergraduate research projects. Current
projects include student construction, development and use of rubidium
gas magneto-optical traps, atomic force microscopes, optical “tweezers,”
parametric down-conversion of photons, a sonoluminescence apparatus,
and characterization of astronomical-grade CCDs.
- Teaching the Research Projects courses, PHYS 491, 492, and 493.
-
Providing instruction leading to significant student progress on
projects, including their development of technical, oral, and written
communication skills necessary to present results. Participating
students are typically enrolled in PHYS 491-3.
-
Developing new projects for the facility. This includes working with
faculty to develop project ideas, and developing and managing budgets.
It is expected that the successful applicant will be deeply involved
in graduate education. This will include at least some of the following
activities:
- Teaching graduate level courses which could include:
- Design of experiments, PHYS 481/581
- Modern Optics Laboratory, PHYS 426/526
- Electronics, PHYS 431-432 (includes graduate students)
-
Designing experiments and projects for physics graduate students in
master’s degree program, which also uses advanced lab facilities.
- Being a member of Ph.D. dissertation committees.
- Mentoring of graduate students.
The minimum teaching expectation is in accordance with department
policy. The remaining balance of time is allocated to improving the
laboratory educational mission of the department. The appointment at
the position of Lecturer grants Principal Investigator (PI) status. The
applicant is expected to write proposals to seek support for current
and future advanced lab activities, and may seek additional summer term
salary support through these efforts. The initial appointment will be
for a period of 1 year and, pending satisfactory performance, is
renewable. Minimum qualifications for applicants include a Ph.D. in
Physics, and a substantive background in experimental physics.
Preferred qualifications include: grant writing or other laboratory
development experience; experience meeting safety requirements for
equipment operation and materials storage, and in proper use of vacuum
and cryogenic equipment and lasers, and a background facilitating upper
division undergraduate and graduate physics research. The successful
candidate will have the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff
and students from a variety of diverse backgrounds.
Salary
will be commensurate with experience and will be in the range $50-60K
for the 9 month academic year. Applicants must apply online at Academic
Jobs Online
https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/2460
and should upload a cover letter, a current curriculum vita, and a
statement of teaching philosophy and strategies for supporting
undergraduate research. Applicants should also arrange to have at least
three letters of recommendation uploaded at the same site. Review of
applications will begin January 18, 2013, with consideration continuing
until the position is filled.
