Physics Adjunct Instructor for Labs

New Jersey Institute of Technology; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 3,675,000 - 11,021,000; Part time

Job summary

New Jersey Institute of Technology seeks qualified adjunct instructors to teach undergraduate physics laboratory courses. You will supervise students in the laboratory, reinforce concepts from related physics courses, and maintain a safe learning environment.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong knowledge of undergraduate physics and effective lab teaching practices, with a commitment to student success and the ability to collaborate with faculty and laboratory staff.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physics or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of undergraduate physics principles and laboratory practices.
• Ability to safely operate and demonstrate physics laboratory equipment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively instruct, engage, and support a diverse student population.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, laboratory personnel, teaching assistants, and departmental staff.

Responsibilities

• Teach assigned undergraduate physics laboratory courses in accordance with departmental curriculum, laboratory procedures, learning objectives, and course policies.
• Prepare for and conduct scheduled laboratory sessions, including reviewing experiments, procedures, equipment, and instructional materials prior to each class.
• Provide clear instruction and demonstrations regarding laboratory experiments, equipment operation, data collection, analysis, and relevant physics concepts.
• Supervise students during laboratory activities and provide appropriate guidance and assistance while encouraging independent problem-solving and scientific reasoning.
• Promote and enforce laboratory safety procedures and ensure that students use laboratory equipment and materials appropriately.
• Evaluate and grade laboratory reports, assignments, quizzes, practical exercises, and other assessments as required by the course.
• Provide students with timely and constructive feedback regarding their laboratory work and academic progress.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, grades, assignments, and student performance.
• Submit grades and other required course information in accordance with departmental and university deadlines.
• Utilize the university's learning management system and other instructional technologies as required.
• Communicate promptly and professionally with students regarding laboratory assignments, course expectations, grades, and other course‑related matters.
• Collaborate with the Director of Undergraduate Physics Laboratories, course coordinators, faculty, teaching assistants, and departmental staff regarding laboratory instruction, scheduling, equipment, assessments, and other instructional requirements.
• Report damaged, malfunctioning, or missing laboratory equipment and other laboratory concerns promptly to the appropriate departmental personnel.
• Attend departmental orientations, laboratory training sessions, meetings, and other instructional activities as requested.
• Adhere to departmental policies, university regulations, laboratory safety requirements, and standards of academic integrity.
• Promote an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

Job description

Title: Physics Adjunct Instructor for Labs

Department: Department of Physics

Reports To: Chair

Position Summary

The Department of Physics seeks qualified adjunct instructors to teach undergraduate physics laboratory courses. Adjunct laboratory instructors are responsible for providing high-quality, hands‑on instruction, supervising students in the laboratory environment, reinforcing concepts presented in related physics courses, and maintaining a safe and effective learning environment.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong knowledge of undergraduate physics, effective laboratory teaching practices, a commitment to student success, and the ability to work collaboratively with departmental faculty, staff, and laboratory personnel.

Essential Functions

• Teach assigned undergraduate physics laboratory courses in accordance with departmental curriculum, laboratory procedures, learning objectives, and course policies.
• Prepare for and conduct scheduled laboratory sessions, including reviewing experiments, procedures, equipment, and instructional materials prior to each class.
• Provide clear instruction and demonstrations regarding laboratory experiments, equipment operation, data collection, analysis, and relevant physics concepts.
• Supervise students during laboratory activities and provide appropriate guidance and assistance while encouraging independent problem-solving and scientific reasoning.
• Promote and enforce laboratory safety procedures and ensure that students use laboratory equipment and materials appropriately.
• Evaluate and grade laboratory reports, assignments, quizzes, practical exercises, and other assessments as required by the course.
• Provide students with timely and constructive feedback regarding their laboratory work and academic progress.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, grades, assignments, and student performance.
• Submit grades and other required course information in accordance with departmental and university deadlines.
• Utilize the university's learning management system and other instructional technologies as required.
• Communicate promptly and professionally with students regarding laboratory assignments, course expectations, grades, and other course‑related matters.
• Collaborate with the Director of Undergraduate Physics Laboratories, course coordinators, faculty, teaching assistants, and departmental staff regarding laboratory instruction, scheduling, equipment, assessments, and other instructional requirements.
• Report damaged, malfunctioning, or missing laboratory equipment and other laboratory concerns promptly to the appropriate departmental personnel.
• Attend departmental orientations, laboratory training sessions, meetings, and other instructional activities as requested.
• Adhere to departmental policies, university regulations, laboratory safety requirements, and standards of academic integrity.
• Promote an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physics or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of undergraduate physics principles and laboratory practices.
• Ability to safely operate and demonstrate physics laboratory equipment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively instruct, engage, and support a diverse student population.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, laboratory personnel, teaching assistants, and departmental staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field.
• Prior college-level teaching experience.
• Previous experience teaching undergraduate physics laboratory courses.
• Experience with introductory physics laboratory experiments, instrumentation, data collection, and analysis.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and other instructional technologies.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and move throughout the laboratory for extended periods.
• Ability to operate, demonstrate, and assist students with laboratory equipment and instructional technology.
• Ability to perform routine laboratory activities associated with undergraduate physics experiments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and laboratory personnel.

Working Conditions

• Laboratory courses may be scheduled during daytime and evening hours.
• Instruction is primarily delivered in person in undergraduate physics laboratories.
• Laboratory sections generally meet for scheduled two-hour instructional periods.
• Adjunct instructors are expected to be present for all assigned laboratory sessions and other required instructional responsibilities.
• The position involves regular interaction with students and the use of physics laboratory equipment, computers, instrumentation, and other instructional materials.
• Adjunct instructors must comply with all applicable laboratory safety procedures and university policies.

Courses May Include

• PHYS 102A - General Physics I
• PHYS 103A - General Physics II
• PHYS 111A - Physics I
• PHYS 121A - Physics II
• PHYS 202A - Introductory Astronomy and Cosmology
• PHYS 203A - The Earth in Space
• Other undergraduate physics laboratory courses as assigned.

Compensation

• $2,668 per contact hour.
• A typical 1-credit physics laboratory course consists of 2 contact hours, resulting in compensation of $5,336 per laboratory section, subject to university appointment and compensation policies.

The Department of Physics is committed to providing a high-quality educational experience and seeks adjunct laboratory instructors who are dedicated to student success, laboratory safety, academic excellence, and effective undergraduate physics education.

At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Range: Period Activity Grade

Additional Information

NJIT considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, or other items.

FLSA: Exempt

Time Type: Part time

Pay Rate: Stipend

EEO Information

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.

Employment at NJIT is subject to the provisions of New Jersey First Act which mandates new employees, who are not NJ residents, to establish primary residence in New Jersey within one year of their appointment to certain positions. The law does not apply to any individual employed at NJIT on a temporary or per semester basis as a visiting or adjunct professor, teacher, lecturer, researcher or administrator. For more information on the act.

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