Position Title & Department:
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Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Biophysics |
Posting # |
4638
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Department Description: |
The Department of Physics and Biophysics, within the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of San Diego, is committed to excellence in undergraduate physics education in a liberal arts environment. We are proud of the personalized student mentoring, the small class sizes, and independent research opportunities our faculty provide. Our faculty involve undergraduates at every level of their research programs. Current faculty conduct research in atomic physics, plasma physics, computational astrophysics, astroparticle physics, soft condensed matter, and biophysics. Finally, through our award-winning outreach and service initiatives, we aim to promote diversity, inclusion, and the holistic education of our students.
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University Description: |
The College of Arts and Sciences is at the heart of the University of San Diego. Our philosophy is built on the enduring values of the Catholic intellectual tradition, immersing students in the concepts of free inquiry, diversity and inclusion, ethical conduct and compassionate service. The College aims to establish an academic foundation for students to thrive and gain a comprehensive education, which spans the sciences, arts and social sciences. Through our exemplary liberal arts education and rigorous scholarship, we aspire to not only educate the mind but also develop the whole person.
The University of San Diego, a contemporary and engaged Roman Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.
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Detailed Description: |
The Department of Physics and Biophysics at the University of San Diego invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship to start in Fall 2024. The successful candidate should demonstrate the potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching and the capacity to establish a research program tailored to undergraduates. With the goals of supporting faculty and students from groups underrepresented in their disciplines and of building collaborative communities of interdisciplinary teacher-scholars, USD is hiring faculty to build upon three thematic clusters (https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/hiring.php). The ideal candidate will be able to connect their scholarship, pedagogy, and/or community engagement to one of these three themes: (1) Climate Change & Environmental Justice; (2) Technology & the Human Experience; or (3) Borders & Social Justice. Given these cohort topics and the needs of our department, we will prioritize research expertise in biophysics (particularly with a computational and/or neurophysics focus), applied physics, observational and experimental astrophysics, physics education research, and climate/atmospheric physics. However, applicants who have other areas of research are highly encouraged to apply as well. We do ask that all applicants describe in their letter of interest (cover letter) how their work in research, teaching, or service may connect to one or more of the three thematic clusters. We will prioritize candidates interested in exploring issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in physics through their teaching, scholarship, and service. We anticipate that the successful candidate will be able to contribute to at least two of the following department goals: (a) enhance our department’s computational expertise, supporting our new Applied Scientific Computing pathway; (b) diversify the research options and course offerings for our biophysics majors, physics-engineering double majors, or majors pursuing our teaching pathway; (c) create interdisciplinary team-taught upper-division courses; and (d) design new core courses for non-science majors that could attract a diverse pool of students.
Special Conditions of Employment:
Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.
Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
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Job Requirements: |
Candidates should hold a PhD in Physics, though related fields will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ABD candidates will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Candidates should also have demonstrated a commitment to teaching and research, mentoring undergraduates, and fostering a climate of inclusion and diversity.
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Posting Salary: |
BB Positions
$6,833.33 - 7,083.33/month; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.
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Special Application Instructions: |
Click 'Apply Now' to complete our online application and upload materials.
Candidates are asked to submit the following materials.
- Letter of application, include reference to the cluster(s) of interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Teaching Statement and a sample syllabus
- Research Statement and a sample of scholarly work
- Diversity statement, in which you address A) your values with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion; B) your experience working with minoritized populations and/or on issues that disproportionately affect diverse populations; and C) your plans related to diversity and inclusion in your teaching and research.
- Contact information for three references who will be sent a link to upload letters. Applicants are encouraged to include one mentee among the three references though this is not required.
Please keep items (1), (3), (4), and (5) to no more than 3 pages each. Among other things, research statements could include highlights of past research accomplishments; areas of focus for future research; research program’s relevance and significance to the field; how research may be maintained and strengthened through external funding and collaborations; and, importantly, how undergraduate research students will be recruited and mentored. The statement of teaching philosophy could include how teaching strategies informed by physics education research have been or will be implemented; strategies for assessing student learning; ideas for new core courses that could attract students and for new interdisciplinary upper-division courses; and approaches for creating an inclusive teaching environment for a diverse student population. The diversity statement may hit upon the items (A), (B), and (C) listed above by, among other things, including an articulation of how the physics community has much work to do to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion; past work in activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; strategies to create inclusive and welcoming environments in classrooms, research labs, or professional societies; and plans to engage with diversity, equity, and inclusion issues at USD with an awareness of existing programs such as this cluster hiring initiative.
For full consideration, applications should be completed and submitted by October 1, 2023.
Contact the Chair of the Department of Physics and Biophysics, Dr. Ryan McGorty (rmcgorty@sandiego.edu) with any questions.
For technical questions or difficulties contact the Employment Services Team at 619-260-6806 or jobs@sandiego.edu
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Additional Details: |
The University of San Diego sits on the Indigenous homeland of the Kumeyaay people. The San Diego region is the third most populated area for American Indians in California and is surrounded by four autonomous Indigenous nations: the Kumeyaay, Luiseño, Cupeño, and Cahuilla. These four nations, represented by 19 tribes, make San Diego County home to the largest concentration of individual tribes in the United States. San Diego is also the second largest city in the state, near the busiest port of entry on an international border, and hosts significant ethnic, immigrant, and refugee communities from around the globe, including Central America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa. Serving more than 5,500 undergraduate students, the university holds a commitment to advancing academic excellence, global citizenship, ethical knowledge and conduct, and compassionate service.
The University of San Diego is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, covered veteran status, genetic information, or other characteristic protected by federal or state law. USD offers same sex domestic partner benefits.
The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.
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