Assistant Professor - Physics

Department:  Physics                                                                       Rank:  Assistant Professor

Specialization(s): Applied Optics, Astronomy/Astrophysics, Biophysics, Materials/Nanoscience

Search # 20-009

Located in historic New Haven, a city rich in art and culture, Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good.  Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice.  SCSU is a flourishing community of approximately 10,000 students, located less than three miles from downtown New Haven, with easy access to New York and Boston. 

Brief Description of Duties/Responsibilities:

Southern invites applications from individuals who believe in the mission of public higher education and are committed to outstanding teaching and scholarship.  Successful candidates will be disciplinary scholars devoted to a student-centric approach.

The Physics Department seeks to hire a full-time, tenure-track faculty member to begin August 2020.  Responsibilities will include:  teaching introductory and upper-level undergraduate courses in physics, masters-level courses in physics, and elementary courses for other undergraduates; mentoring majors; scholarly research with strong potential for undergraduate and master’s degree student participation; university and professional service; and community engagement. Candidate must be committed to teaching within a vibrant and demanding public liberal arts and sciences environment and demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching, mentoring and research. All faculty at SCSU share in academic advising and participate in department/university service. Teaching load is 12 credit-hours per semester.

We have active research programs in astronomy, bio-medical optics, condensed matter, materials science and engineering, nanoscience, and particle physics. Our department houses the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Center for Nanotechnology [https://www.southernct.edu/nanotechnology] and has on-going collaborations with the Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena at Yale University [https://crisp.yale.edu/]. We have new facilities for optics and observational astronomy research and teaching as well as active collaborations with groups at major research entities such as Brookhaven National Laboratory and Weill Cornell Medical College. An overview of the Department’s activities can be found at https://www.southernct.edu/academics/physics.

Required Qualifications: 

Ph.D. in physics, optical sciences or engineering, astronomy or closely related field and the ability to perform research that involves undergraduate and master’s degree students. Experimentalist/observer preferred but highly qualified candidates with computational or theoretical expertise will be given full consideration.  Applicants must have a commitment to both teaching and scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred areas of primary interest are applied optics, astronomy/astrophysics, biophysics, and materials/nanoscience. Preference will be given to applicants with suitable expertise in and commitment to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses as well as mentoring thesis projects/research activities of students in our Master of Science in Applied Physics program.  The ability and commitment to collaborate with one or more current faculty members will be viewed positively. Postdoctoral experience, evidence of teaching effectiveness and interest in modern pedagogies are preferred.

Application Process:

Please submit electronically [as one PDF document]:  letter of interest describing professional goals, current curriculum vitae, statements of teaching perspective and scholarly interests, and names/contact information of three professional references to:  Physics Search Committee Chair at PHYsearch1@southernct.edu with Subject Line: Faculty Opening.  For best consideration, materials should be received by Friday, October 18, 2019.  The position will remain open until filled.

SCSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.