Assistant Professor of Physics

Physics Today; Oberlin (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-tenure leave

Startup support

Internal conference travel grants

Job summary

Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in Physics, beginning fall 2027. We seek candidates with experience in experimental condensed matter, materials, or applied physics to support undergraduate research and related engineering initiatives.

The incumbent will teach 4.5 courses per year, engage in sustained scholarly work, advise and mentor undergraduate researchers, and participate in committees.

Responsibilities

• Teach the standard teaching load of 4.5 courses per year across undergraduate physics curricula.
• Engage in sustained scholarly research and/or other creative work.
• Advise students and mentor undergraduate researchers.
• Serve on committees and participate in service activities.

Job description

The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences in Physics, beginning fall of 2027. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in experimental condensed matter, materials, or applied physics, in part to support engineering-related initiatives. We will also consider candidates with other research specialties provided that they would support robust undergraduate research projects.

The Physics and Astronomy department graduates approximately 15 majors per year, with concentrations in either physics, astrophysics, or materials physics. The department has an authorized tenure/tenure-track faculty size of 7.5 full-time-equivalent. Faculty research interests include infrared molecular spectroscopy, novel magnetic nanomaterials, atomic physics, extragalactic chemical evolution & star formation, simulations of galaxy formation and supermassive black holes, numerical modeling of gravitational wave sources, and experimental particle physics. Approximately 80% of Oberlin’s Physics and Astronomy students do research during their time at Oberlin. This student research takes place during the semester, the summer, and Oberlin’s month-long Winter Term. Current faculty have a strong track record of maintaining external support, primarily through the RUI and MRI programs from the National Science Foundation.

The Department and the College actively support new faculty with mentoring and professional development opportunities, as well as research through startup support and internal grants for conference travel and student research stipends.

The incumbent will teach the standard teaching load (4.5 courses per year). Teaching assignments in our department typically span the entire undergraduate physics curriculum, including introductory and advanced courses for majors, lab courses as appropriate, and general-audience and seminar courses related to faculty interests.

The incumbent will also be expected to engage in sustained scholarly research and/or other creative work appropriate to the position and participate in the full range of faculty responsibilities, including academic advising, mentoring undergraduate research and service on committees. The Department and College actively support new faculty with mentoring and professional development opportunities, including a paid pre-tenure leave for those on the standard six-year track, startup support, and internal grants for conference travel and research.