Assistant Professor - Tenure System - Faculty Position in Physics
Michigan State University (MSU) and MSU’s Lyman Briggs College (LBC) actively promote a
dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing
perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared
inquiry.
MSU invites applications for a tenure system Assistant Professor faculty position in physics.
This position is open to all fields of physics, with specific consideration to theoretical,
computational, or education related research areas. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in
physics, physics education, or a closely related discipline, and will have demonstrated
innovative teaching and a student-centered perspective on undergraduate education. They will
also have demonstrated the ability to carry out forefront research while successfully maintaining
teaching responsibilities. The appointment will be split between the Lyman Briggs College (75%)
and the Department of Physics and Astronomy (25%).
This position is one of three that LBC seeks to fill. We aim to recruit three outstanding scholars
for a series of new faculty positions in the core areas of Physics, Mathematics, and Biology. This
group of hires will bolster existing strengths and support the launch of exciting new programs
and initiatives focused upon scholarship in DEI&B: diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
We believe that this research agenda is best advanced by a cohort of faculty with varied
perspectives and lived experiences, in order to challenge biases and conventions in research
and academia; promote innovation; and educate future generations. These scholars will show a
commitment to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment through their teaching,
research, and/or community engagement.
Founded in 1967, LBC is a vibrant undergraduate residential college within MSU focusing on
the study of the sciences in their societal and global contexts (http://lbc.msu.edu). The LBC
curriculum integrates the natural sciences and mathematics with the history, philosophy,
sociology, and communication of the sciences. There are approximately 2,000 students in
Lyman Briggs, 66% of whom are women. 31% of all primary, secondary degree, and additional
majors identify as students of an underrepresented racial/ethnic group. Additionally, 32% of LBC
students are members of the MSU Honors College. Faculty work closely with students in small
classes. LBC is also a leading center for research on teaching and learning and for
interdisciplinary scholarship. Most LBC faculty members in the tenure system have a joint
appointment in a disciplinary department or program to support their scholarship and
professional development. The college boasts a dynamic community of students, staff, and
faculty who make LBC an exceptional place to learn and work.
Michigan State University's Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of the top-ranked
departments in the country. It offers a wide range of courses in physics and astronomy.
Undergraduate programs are available with different emphases and mixes with other branches
of science and engineering. It also offers graduate (M.S. & Ph.D.) degree programs with
specializations in many sub-fields, including nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, high
energy physics, astronomy and astrophysics.
Minimum qualifications
● Candidates must have a PhD in physics, physics education, or a related field
Desired qualifications
● Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research,
service, and/or community involvement
● Demonstrated innovation in undergraduate-focused physics teaching
● Development and implementation of computational activities, modeling, or other
evidence-based curricula in introductory physics courses
● Leadership of teaching teams, including undergraduate learning assistants and/or
graduate teaching assistants
● Experience in the complete research cycle from idea generation to publication and/or to
participating in grant writing
● Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students in research projects
To ensure a holistic assessment of candidates, we request that applications include:
(1) a CV, including education background/qualifications, a list of publications, teaching and
mentoring roles, leadership positions, contributions to the academic community, and efforts in
public outreach;
(2) a 2-page statement highlighting past research successes and future research interests; this
statement should also list which one of your lead-author and/or anchor-author publications you
would most like the committee to read;
(3) a 2-page teaching statement describing the applicant’s educational priorities (including
teaching and mentoring) and plans to address them; this statement should highlight the
applicant's efforts to address issues of diversity and inclusion;
(4) a 1-2 page statement of contributions to the academic community. Universities are complex
institutions that rely on faculty to assume diverse responsibilities, including fostering student
learning, advancing research, disseminating knowledge, and sustaining inclusive communities.
The applicant should describe how they have been involved in departmental and/or institutional
activities as part of their institution’s academic community. They should also describe their
interests and plans for enriching the MSU community, including how they plan to advance
issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion;
(5) a cover letter that frames the application in the context of this position in Lyman Briggs
College and the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Applications should be submitted through the MSU hiring website (http://careers.msu.edu),
posting #739297. At this website, applicants should also submit contact information for three
references. While letters will not be solicited for the initial evaluation of candidates, references
should be prepared to submit letters (promptly upon request) that focus on the candidate’s
research impact on the field, the candidate’s experience with mentoring and collaborating, and
efforts to broaden representation. The selection process will begin on December 3, 2021, and
review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Katie Hinko (hinko@msu.edu) and Dr. Pete White
(pwhite@msu.edu). Applicants are encouraged to peruse the MSU Lyman Briggs College
website: https://lbc.msu.edu
We actively encourage applications from -- and welcome nominations of -- physicists within the
LGBTQIA+ community, physicists of color, veterans, physicists with disabilities, and physicists
from other minoritized groups. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is
committed to achieving excellence through diversity.
Special Instructions
The university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against
COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://msu.edu/together-we-will/
