The Department of Physics at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon invites applications for a full-time (nine-month) tenure-track professor working in Physics Education Research starting on September 15, 2022.
The primary responsibilities of this position are to establish and sustain an independent research program through external funding; publish original research in peer-reviewed journals; teach at the graduate and undergraduate level; mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and possibly postdocs; and provide institutional and professional service. A successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; a tolerance for diverse ideas within the academy, including those different from one’s own; and a commitment to free inquiry based on evidence and criticism.
Oregon State University is a comprehensive, research intensive public land-grant university, located in the heart of the pacific northwest. Our mission is to promote environmental, cultural, social, and economic progress for the people of Oregon and around the world. We are one of only two land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant universities in the United States. We work in partnership with the P-12 school system, Oregon community colleges, and other colleges and universities to provide access to high-quality educational programs. Strong collaborations with industry and state and federal agencies drive our research enterprise. We are proud of our international reputation for excellence in the science of sustainable earth ecosystems, health and wellness, and economic prosperity and social progress.
The state of Oregon is OSU’s campus, with OSU programs and faculty located in every Oregon county. More than 32,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our campuses in the Willamette Valley, the Cascade mountains, and the rugged Oregon Coast.
The mission of the Department of Physics is to provide exceptional undergraduate and graduate education and carry out impactful basic and applied research to ask new questions, provide unique understanding, and solve problems of our society. Our 23 faculty members mentor approximately 150 undergraduate majors and 45 graduate students in the areas of: physics education research, astrophysics, biophysics, optical physics, condensed matter physics, and particle physics. The Department of Physics is the home of Paradigms in Physics, an internationally recognized undergraduate physics program that features a cycle of education research, curricular & programmatic innovations, and faculty collaboration to provide continuity between courses. Across the undergraduate curriculum, students are actively engaged with peer learning, open-source materials, studio classrooms, and a vibrant learning assistants program. The Department of Physics enacts our commitment to student success through student-centered, evidence-based pedagogies, and best practices for an inclusive department.
OSU is committed to a culture of civility, respect, and inclusivity. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, OSU values diversity in our faculty and staff as a source of enrichment for our university community. We particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, veterans, women, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
Minimum/Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Physics or an allied discipline or a Ph.D. in Education with a strong background in Physics. PhD should be awarded before the anticipated start date.
- A clear potential for research excellence in physics education research, including a potential for, or record of, initiating and supporting competitively funded research.
- Significant potential for teaching excellence in undergraduate and graduate physics courses and mentoring undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral scholars.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Tolerance for diverse ideas within the academy, including those different from one’s own.
- Commitment to free inquiry based on evidence and critique.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
Preferred Qualifications
- Relevant postdoctoral experience or equivalent work experience.
- Relevant teaching, training, or mentoring experience in physics or an allied discipline.
- Demonstrable proficiency in obtaining external research funding.
- Potential for contributing to or establishing collaborations at OSU.
Application should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/.
1) Curriculum Vitae; and
2) Cover letter addressing how the candidate meets the minimum and preferred qualifications; and
3) Diversity Statement describing the candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion including how this is related to their research, teaching, and/or service activities;
4) Research Statement describing the candidate’s training, vision, and plans; and
5) Teaching Statement describing the candidate’s training, experience, and goals as a physics educator; and
6) Contact information.
Letters of Reference will be requested will be requested on finalists only. When applying, you will be asked to provide the email address and telephone number for 3 referees who will be sent a secure quicklink that will allow them to upload the requested letters of reference on your behalf.
