Assistant Professor of 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 must be submitted through the Careers @ MSU 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/