The Department of Physics at Oregon State University invites applications for the position of Head of the Department of Physics to start in Fall 2014. The department offers B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and also provides many service courses for the University’s Baccalaureate Core and for other university-wide programs, especially in engineering. The Department seeks an individual who will work with its faculty, staff, and students to lead the Department in its development in light of the Department mission (see http://physics.oregonstate.edu) and the mission (http://oregonstate.edu/main/mission) and strategic plan of Oregon State (http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/strategicplan).
The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field, administrative experience, and strong interpersonal skills, as well as an established reputation among scholars commensurate with the appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure. The successful applicant will be expected to maintain active scholarly activity that can engage undergraduate and graduate students in research. Applicants must have a strong interest in and distinguished record for teaching and demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
The new Department Head will provide vision and structure for a growing department with strong existing research programs in optics and materials science, and an emerging emphasis on biophysics. Departmental research seeks to understand the physics and applications of new materials and to answer fundamental questions about the dynamical behavior of biological and nanoscale systems. We approach these questions using a variety of methods including spectroscopic techniques for electronic materials, electronic characterization, time-resolved optical techniques, scanning probe microscopies, and computational modeling. As home of the Paradigms in Physics upper-division curriculum project and an expanding program of reform in the lower-division service courses, our department has a strong culture of shared responsibility for curriculum development supported by physics education research. We particularly value collaborative interdisciplinary projects that span departments within the College of Science and with other colleges, especially Engineering and Education. For more information regarding our facilities, programs, faculty expertise, and our strong commitment to our students, please visit the department’s website http://www.physics.oregonstate.edu.
Oregon State University is a leading research university located in one of the safest, smartest, greenest small cities in the nation. It has the top Carnegie Research University classification of RU/VH (very high research activity), is a Land, Sea, Space, and Sun Grant institution and has strong programs in the physical sciences, the life sciences, and engineering.
Candidates should apply online at http://oregonstate.edu/jobs/, job# 0011758. Please attach to the application: a cover letter which includes a vision statement for the department, a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, a statement on research, and names and contact information for four references. We will begin reviewing applications on February 27, 2013, but the position will remain open until filled. OSU is an AA/EOE and has a policy of being responsive to dual-career needs. The Physics faculty especially encourages candidates from women and underrepresented groups to apply. Please email all inquiries to the search committee chair at PhysicsHeadSearch@oregonstate.edu.
[Ed. note: Corinne Manogue notes that mid-career associate profs are eligible for the Head position.]
