The Department of Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University (WVU) invites applications for a Teaching Assistant Professor position. Responsibilities may include: teaching primarily introductory astronomy courses in a large lecture format as well as other astronomy and introductory physics courses; developing demonstrations for other topics in the astronomy and physics curricula; collaborating on WVU and department STEM initiatives; contributing to outreach initiatives such as the WVU Pulsar Search Collaboratory (PSC; ); and collaborating on the operation and development of programs for the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s Planetarium and Observatory. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2015.
Qualifications for appointment at the rank of Teaching Assistant Professor include a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in astronomy, physics, physics, astronomy education research, or a related discipline; excellent written and oral communication/teaching skills; the ability to teach effectively in a large lecture format; and the ability to contribute effectively to K-12 STEM and outreach initiatives.
Teaching faculty appointments at WVU are full-time, nine-month, non-tenure track, renewable term appointments with full benefits. Teaching Assistant Professors are eligible for promotion, e.g., to Teaching Associate Professor; however, promotion to senior ranks is not a requirement for institutional commitment and career stability. There is no traditional research assignment, but Teaching Assistant Professors may apply for grants to fund summer research or outreach. Teaching faculty are expected to present evidence of ongoing engagement in assessment-based advancement of instructional processes. There is provision for appointment terms of up to three-years for successful teaching faculty, with no maximum number of terms.
WVU is a comprehensive land grant university with 29,000 students. Over 1000 students take Introductory Astronomy every year. WVU is classified by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as a Research-High Activity Institution. The Department of Physics and Astronomy () consists of 22 tenured and tenure-track faculty, one teaching assistant professor, 15 research faculty and postdoctoral researchers, 72 Ph.D. graduate students, and approximately 80 undergraduate physics majors. The largest research areas are condensed matter physics, astrophysics, plasma physics, and physics education. WVU is located roughly 130 miles from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Green Bank Telescope in Green Bank, WV; many astrophysics research and outreach programs make use of the facilities in Green Bank.
Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, statement of teaching philosophy, andcurriculum vitae as a single PDF file to astro_tap_search@mail.wvu.edu. They must also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to the same e-mail address with the candidate’s name in the subject line. The cover letter should address the applicant's qualifications for each aspect of responsibilities listed above. For questions or additional information, contact Prof. Maura McLaughlin, 304-293-4812, email: . The screening process will begin on April 1, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled.
The University community of Morgantown offers plentiful educational opportunities as well as recreational outlets, is within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA, and is about 200 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. WVU is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The university is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.
