Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics

Eckerd College, the only independent national liberal arts college in Florida, has a tradition of innovative education and excellence in teaching and mentoring. The Physics Discipline at Eckerd College invites applications for a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor for one year with the possibility of renew for a second year beginning in the fall of 2021 to join us in this tradition: teaching two sections of calculus-based introductory physics courses in the Fall and Spring semesters, including labs. Our introductory sequence reaches well beyond students in our discipline: most come from other majors in the Natural Sciences Collegium, predominantly from Marine Sciences and Biology. Each section is capped at 24 students and each faculty member uses a class structure and teaching style that they are most comfortable with.

We are also seeking a candidate who can help develop at least one project to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in STEM at Eckerd and/or help build a pathway to STEM for local students from underrepresented groups. The candidate will get a course release during Eckerd's one month Winter Term to work on either building or reimagining DEI alliances in collaboration with other Eckerd faculty. Eckerd has just become a charter member of SEA Change (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://seachange.aaas.org/&source=gmail&ust=1612532483980000&usg=AFQjCNGLmoC-KNt7mmFhcpoiavUm9eD-hQ">https://seachange.aaas.org) and is developing a strategic plan that envisions a more meaningful connection to the local community with a focus on DEI.  The candidate is not expected to advise student research, though it will be encouraged if time and interest allow.

The Physics Discipline is composed of four faculty members, one of whom has a joint appointment with the Mathematics Discipline. The offices and classrooms of the discipline are all housed in the same building, along with the Computer Science and Mathematics disciplines, and machine shop. We have a student-run Makerspace overseen by physics faculty and, prior to COVID-19, we ran a residential science camp for middle school students (70 students/wk for two weeks). A Reflective Service Learning course is a graduation requirement and science students have done outreach to local schools and Science Festivals as a part of their service. 

Interested candidates should apply at https://www.google.com/url?q=https://eckerd.hirecentric.com/&source=gmail&ust=1612532483980000&usg=AFQjCNEZ9ZNfD15ef6hEwaN26HnYT1GF5A">https://eckerd.hirecentric.com Qualified candidates must have a Ed.D. in Science Education or a Ph.D. in Physics (or related field) by the time of employment. The application should include a cover letter articulating the candidate's interest in teaching at a liberal arts institution and evidence of experience in developing, implementing, and/or evaluating DEI initiatives, a statement of teaching philosophy indicating how the candidate engages introductory students who are not Physics majors, a curriculum vitae, graduate transcripts, and email addresses for three individuals who will be solicited by us for a letter of recommendation. Applications, including the letters of recommendation, must be completed by March 1, 2021 and review of applications will begin shortly thereafter. Eckerd College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity among its faculty and we particularly encourage applications from nontraditional candidates. If you have any questions about the position please send an email to Professor Anne J Cox at coxaj@eckerd.edu

Eckerd College is situated on Boca Ciega Bay at the southern tip of St. Petersburg, Florida.