Assistant Professor - Physics Education Research

Posting Details

Job Title

Assistant Professor - Physics Education Research

Posting Number

P0208F

Job Description Summary

The College of Sciences and Mathematics ( COSAM ) at Auburn University invites applications for a tenure-track, 9-month position at the level of Assistant Professor, with research interests in physics education research ( PER ). The home department of the successful candidate will be COSAM’s Department of Physics. COSAM has recently hired discipline-based education research ( DBER ) faculty in the Departments of Geosciences, Chemistry, and Biology and is eager to grow the DBER group within the college.

The successful candidate is expected to establish an extramurally funded PER program and collaborate with the growing cohort of researchers within COSAM on studying/transforming STEM higher education through basic and applied research. A scholar that focuses on using mixed methods or quantitative based approaches in the following areas of interest is preferred: (1) innovation of evidence-based teaching and learning coupled with rigorous assessment of the efficacy/effectiveness of student-led teaching methods within the physics classroom/lab; (2) research on human-technology interfaces/tools to improve learning in physics; and (3) understanding student conceptions and problem-solving approaches in the physics domain. Duties will also include teaching in the physics department at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervising graduate research and service/outreach commitments.

Auburn University, COSAM, and the Physics Department offer a collegial and collaborative professional environment. A primary goal for COSAM and the Physics Department is the development of an inclusive environment by strengthening the diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body. The Physics Department has a community of approximately 45 faculty, lecturers, and staff, 65 undergraduate students, and 50 graduate students. Active areas of research within the department include atomic molecular and optical physics, condensed matter physics, plasma physics, space physics, and biophysics. COSAM has an active DBER group, and this PER position would provide collaborative opportunities within that group.

Applications must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, and a statement of research. Candidates should also submit the names and contact information for three professional references. All applications must also provide a statement describing how past and/or potential contributions in teaching, research, and/or service will advance COSAM’s mission of creating an inclusive environment. Please visit the COSAM webpage for more information about an inclusion statement: https://aub.ie/cosam_inclusion.

Additional information about the Physics Department is available at: http://www.physics.auburn.edu. Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples. Please visit the following link for more information on Auburn’s guidelines: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/pdf/guidelines-dual-career-services.pdf.

For information about the Auburn community please visit: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/facultyjobs/
For further information, please contact persearch@auburn.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in physics or equivalent STEM field and a record of scholarly accomplishments in science education research is required at the time the appointment begins. The candidate selected must meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States on the date the appointment is scheduled to begin (August 16, 2021) and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment. The candidate must possess excellent written and interpersonal communications skills.

Desired Qualifications

At least one year of research or classroom teaching experience is desired.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Review of applications will begin April 15th, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. Please upload your statement of contributions to inclusion and diversity under the other document option in your applicant documents.

Open Date

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

References required for this position?

Yes

If yes, minimum number requested

3
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

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2. * Please enter the specifics of the option you selected above:
   
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Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Other Documentation
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
5. Statement of Research and/or Goals

Optional Documents