Assistant Professor of Experimental Physics

Position Type:
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Experimental Physics

Employment Status:
Regular

Compensation:
The salary for this role ranges from $102,060 to $113,443, contingent upon the candidate's relevant teaching experience at the collegiate level. This position includes a comprehensive benefits package, which encompasses medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, alongside university contributions towards retirement. Additionally, there are two housing assistance initiatives: one for rental support to facilitate the transition into the local housing market, and another for housing purchase assistance aimed at tenure-track faculty.

Objective:
The Department of Physics at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit Catholic institution, is eager to appoint a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Experimental Physics. We are particularly focused on candidates specializing in condensed matter, low-temperature, or quantum physics, though we will consider exceptional candidates from other specializations. Our goal is to attract a diverse pool of outstanding applicants. The role entails teaching six undergraduate physics courses across three academic quarters, maintaining a robust physics research program that secures external funding and engages undergraduates, and fulfilling service responsibilities appropriate to the discipline and academic rank.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related discipline is required.
• Post-doctoral research experience is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to teach lower-division physics courses to both majors and non-majors, as well as upper-division courses for majors.
• The primary selection criteria include: (i) evidence of or clear potential for excellence in university-level teaching, including strong oral and written communication skills; (ii) a well-defined research agenda capable of competing for external funding; (iii) a commitment to maintaining active research while at SCU; (iv) the ability and desire to involve talented SCU physics or engineering physics majors in research; (v) an interest in and commitment to effective collaboration with diverse groups; (vi) a willingness to contribute to the University, College, and Department priorities, which include enhancing campus diversity.
• The successful candidate must demonstrate comfort in a diverse environment and show respect for all individuals.
• Proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States is required. SCU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encouraging applications from women and people of color.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Physics tenure-track faculty members are expected to be collaborative teaching-scholars who can effectively balance a commitment to quality instruction with a sustained research agenda that typically involves undergraduate students. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute service to the department, college, and/or university as appropriate to their rank. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

TEACHING

1. Candidates must possess the ability to instruct lower-division lecture and laboratory courses in the Physics series, as well as several upper-division courses for physics majors, as assigned by the department chair. While teaching a course for non-majors is welcomed, the majority of the teaching load will focus on courses for majors. Applicants should provide syllabi and teaching evaluations, if available. Each candidate must demonstrate their teaching proficiency during the on-campus interview and must have the potential to effectively advise and mentor undergraduates from diverse backgrounds. Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to work collaboratively with majors on research projects and their capacity to interact professionally with faculty, staff, and students. A typical teaching load is two courses per quarter. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(a) Conducting and attending all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that reflects mastery of the subject matter and effective presentation skills.

(b) Assigning and assessing written assignments, projects, and exams that align with course objectives and providing timely feedback to students.

(c) Holding weekly office hours at times that are convenient for students.

(d) Submitting student grades that accurately reflect student performance to the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline.

(e) Administering evaluations for all courses.

2. Develop and teach courses that contribute to curriculum development in the relevant degree program and/or the university core. Faculty teaching university core courses should adhere to an approved syllabus or collaborate with the chair to design an appropriate syllabus for submission for approval from the relevant Faculty Core Curriculum Committee.

3. Participate in the assessment of student learning for courses in the department.

4. Provide informed guidance and mentoring to undergraduate students.

5. Fulfill other instructional or academic duties as assigned by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or by the Physics Department Chair.

RESEARCH

Candidates must articulate how they will establish and sustain a robust research program in experimental physics at SCU. The research agenda should be of sufficiently high quality to compete for continued support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), or similar funding sources. Preferred research areas include condensed matter, low-temperature, or quantum experimental physics, but we welcome applications from a broader range of hands-on experimental physicists. Candidates are expected to have published peer-reviewed articles in reputable scientific journals, be open to new collaborations within and beyond SCU Physics, and have written or contributed to at least one research grant proposal. Publications should clearly indicate the candidate's potential to establish a productive and scientifically significant research group as a faculty member.

SERVICE

Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and support for the University's Jesuit mission and have the potential to engage in College or University strategic goals. Candidates should be willing to participate in service activities at the department, College, University, and professional levels. Service contributions should align with the overall goals and mission of the university. The candidate should demonstrate a commitment to diversity and possess a collegial and collaborative spirit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Inquiries about this position can be directed to the Physics Chair. More information about the department can be found on the university's website.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
1. Cover letter specific to this opportunity, including a description of how the applicant could contribute to diversity at the department and university.

2. Current curriculum vitae

3. Contact information for three professional references who can speak to the candidate's suitability for this position. External letters of recommendation will be requested for selected candidates after an initial evaluation is complete.

4. Brief statement of teaching philosophy

5. Proposed research overview that focuses on the quality, viability, and sustainability of the proposed work. A clear indication of how undergraduates would be involved in portions of the candidate's research is expected. Candidates are encouraged to identify in their application any strengths or experiences related to increasing diversity.

COVID-19 Statement
The health and safety of the University community is a top priority. The University strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as the vaccination and boosters are safe, effective tools that significantly minimize the chances of serious illness and hospitalization.

Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in several states. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within these states.

Work Authorization:
A foreign national appointed to a tenured or tenure-track faculty position is eligible for visa sponsorship assessment by Santa Clara University together with its legal counsel.

EEO Statement
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.

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