WDR-XXXX, posted on 3/30/2026, https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31884
The
Department of Physics and Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics at
Cornell University invite applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship
(appointment title: Postdoctoral Associate). We will consider outstanding
applicants in all areas of Physics. We are particularly interested in
applicants committed to enriching the undergraduate teaching mission of the
College of Arts & Sciences.
The first year of appointment will run August 1, 2026
– July 31, 2027; the second year will run August 1, 2027 – July 31, 2028. The
Physics Fellow will join a cohort of teaching postdoctoral fellows from across
the College of Arts & Sciences. In the fall semester of each year, Fellows
will lead two discussion sections in a 7-weeklong “Disagreement” course with
the second half of the fall semester free of teaching duties. In the spring
semester of each year, Fellows will offer one first-year writing seminar and
one upper-level undergraduate seminar to be determined in consultation with the
department chair. Fellows will be expected to feature historic or contemporary
disagreements, debates, or controversies in their teaching.
Fellows are expected to be in residence on Cornell's
Ithaca campus for the term of the appointment and to take an active role in the
intellectual life of the Department of Physics, LASSP, the College of Arts
& Sciences, and Cornell University. The Physics Fellow will be mentored by
Prof. Natasha Holmes. This mentor, together with the chair and other faculty,
will offer feedback on scholarship and provide professional guidance. The
Fellow will be provided with a workspace within the Cornell Physics Education
Research Lab and will be integrated into this group and the broader
discipline-based education research community, which includes faculty,
postdocs, and students across physics, biology, engineering, and other STEM
fields.
Fellows will be provided an annual salary of $75,000,
full benefits, and a research account of $4,000 per year. Eligibility is
limited to candidates whose PhD will be conferred by August 1, 2026.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in any area of physics by the start of
the appointment period
- Passion for teaching and a desire to develop
skills in teaching and course management
- Enthusiasm for productive debate and
discussion about physics and science
- Ability and desire to work both
independently and collaboratively, including to liaison with faculty
- Project leadership, time management,
communication, and writing skills
- Familiarity with active learning strategies
and awareness of physics education research literature is an asset
How to Apply:
Complete applications should be submitted through our
posting on Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31884.
Apply by May 1, 2026 for best
consideration.
The application should include:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Course proposal with sample syllabus for
upper-level undergraduate course
- One article-length writing sample
- Three letters of recommendation (please ask
referees to upload their letters directly through the link provided by
Academic Jobs Online)
Cornell is an
equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.
