Recruitment Period
Open Feb 11, 2013 through Mar 15, 2013If you apply to this recruitment by Mar 15, 2013, you will have until Mar 28, 2013 to complete your application.
Description
The Physics Department invites applications for a full-time position to improve student learning in our three introductory-level course sequences. The 8 courses in these sequences consist of lecture sections of 50-300 students taught by faculty and discussion/lab sections of 20 students taught by graduate student instructors. The purpose of this position is to improve the instructional methods and materials for discussion/lab sections, to support improved instruction by graduate students, and to coordinate the activities of lecturers, graduate student instructors, and support staff.Duties and Responsibilities
Course Improvements: Use results of physics education research and local formative assessments to guide course reform (normally one course at a time). Determine instructional needs for the diverse populations served by these courses. Select, develop and/or modify innovative instructional materials for labs and discussion to meet those needs. Work with support staff and instructors to test, implement, and improve materials and teaching practices. Conduct assessments of student learning and expectations to guide continued course improvement and to document progress.
Teaching: Teach a fall-semester seminar course for incoming physics graduate students on pedagogy and mentor them throughout the year to become more effective teachers. As a lecturer, teach occasional lab/discussion sections or lecture sections to guide development of and test new instructional materials.
Supervisory and administrative: Supervise the graduate student coordinators for the five largest courses by meeting with them regularly, providing teaching notes, and ensuring they fulfill their duties appropriately. Provide leadership and mentoring to all instructors. For selected course(s) each semester, coordinate activities of GSIs and lecturers to improve cohesiveness of lecture, discussion, and lab parts of the course.
Professional: Attend regional and national conferences and workshops to keep abreast of developments in physics education research and curriculum improvements. Participate in on-line forums that address relevant issues in physics education. Build relationships with colleagues at local universities and colleges. Disseminate results of local reforms/improvements to the physics education community.
Qualifications
A Bachelors degree in Physics or related field is required by date of hire, along with two years of University-level teaching experience and evidence of superior teaching performance. Strong background in teaching physics for scientists at the college lower division level is expected, along with direct experience in active-engagement methods. Required skills include effective interpersonal and oral/written communication as well as management and organizational ability. Incumbent should be aware of current literature and trends in instructional content and methods at comparable institutions. Preferred: Ph.D. in Physics or Physics Education Research and experience in training and supporting instructors. The department seeks candidates whose research, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education.
Initial 2-year appointment starts May 1 or June 1, with possible renewal. Hiring salary range is $62,916-$75,984 depending on experience.
Application
Applications must be submitted online, and should include a letter of interest outlining your experience and qualifications, CV, statement of teaching philosophy, and three letters of recommendation. All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality: http://apo.chance.berkeley.edu/evalltr.html.
To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/apply/JPF00121. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2013. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
