Assistant Professor of Physics

Whitman College; Walla Walla (WA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitman College’s Department of Physics invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor beginning August 2027. A Ph.D. in physics or related field is required at start.

The successful candidate will teach five courses annually, mentor undergraduates in classroom and research, and contribute to curriculum innovation in computation/data science. Applicants from all fields are welcome. The college supports pre-tenure sabbatical leave and professional development, with an emphasis on

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required for the position, at start date.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate research is valued.
• Interest in innovating curriculum with computational/data science content.

Responsibilities

• Teach General Physics and upper level courses.
• Mentor undergraduate research projects.
• Develop and contribute to curriculum and general education requirements.

Skills

Teaching undergraduates

Research mentorship

Curriculum development

Data science / computational methods

Education

Ph.D. in Physics or related field

Job description

Located in the vibrant community of Walla Walla, WA , Whitman College is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving roughly 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top undergraduate, liberal arts colleges in the country.

The Department of Physics seeks applicants for a tenure-track position beginning August 2027, at the rank of assistant professor. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field at the start of the position. We seek candidates who are motivated to share their passion for physics and work closely with our undergraduate students in the classroom and as research mentors. In addition, we seek individuals who are prepared to help innovate our curriculum in the areas of computational methods or data science. Applicants from all fields of specialization are invited to apply.

The successful candidate will, over time, teach courses in our major track including General Physics, upper level courses, and special topics courses in their areas of interest, as well as courses that contribute to the college’s general education requirements. The standard annual teaching load is five courses. The department regularly rotates class teaching assignments to encourage faculty collaboration, promote growth as instructors, and to avoid siloing faculty in specific classes. The college provides a generous pre-tenure sabbatical leave program and professional development support for both research and teaching.

Whitman’s Physics Department graduates an average of 15 majors per year, including students with interdisciplinary physics-astronomy, physics-geology, physics-environmental studies, and physics-mathematics majors. Our majors are intellectually engaged, passionate learners; more than half have pursued graduate degrees in physics and adjacent fields while others have found employment in the tech industry, consulting work, teaching, and the energy/sustainability sector. The department values pedagogical innovation, disciplinary and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and consensus-based decision making.

Whitman College is committed to fostering an inclusive learning community that values diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives. In the cover letter, candidates should describe their interest in teaching undergraduates, majors as well as non-majors, at all levels of instruction. In doing so, candidates should address how their classroom and scholarly practices will advance equity and inclusion in the learning environment.

For full consideration, applications should be submitted by September 15, 2026.

Salary Range: $73,700 - $80,500

For additional information about Whitman College and the Walla Walla area, see www.whitman.edu and www.walla walla.org. Applicant questions about the position should be directed to Prof. Kurt Hoffman, [e-mail].

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment.

Whitman College is an EEO employer.The college shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.