Physics/Astronomy Instructor (Tenure-Track)

San Mateo County Community College District; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Retirement benefits

Job summary

San Mateo County Community College District in San Mateo, California, invites applications for a Tenure-Track Physics/Astronomy Instructor position at College of San Mateo. The role includes teaching lecture and lab astronomy, operating the planetarium, and guiding observational research with student engagement.

The candidate should have a Master’s or higher in physics/astronomy (or related equivalent), and demonstrate commitment to equity-minded teaching with collaboration across departments

Qualifications

• Master's or higher in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics OR Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's or higher in engineering, mathematics, meteorology, or geophysics OR the equivalent.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work with diverse student populations.
• Commitment to equity-minded practice within and outside the classroom.

Responsibilities

• Teach lecture and laboratory courses in astronomy
• Operate and maintain the planetarium, CCD cameras, and other laboratory equipment
• Assist in curriculum revisions and new course development
• Consult with students during office and lab hours
• Lead students in observational research
• Organize and participate in outreach events
• Serve on division and college committees

Skills

Teaching astronomy

Planetarium operation

Curriculum development

Office hours consultation

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's in physics/astronomy

Bachelor's + Master's in related fields

Tools

Planetarium equipment

CCD cameras

Job description

Physics/Astronomy Instructor (Tenure-Track)
San Mateo County Community College District in San Mateo, CA

Type: Full-Time
Salary: $93,348 - $131,400 per year

Category: Physics; Astronomy and Astrophysics

Physics/Astronomy Instructor (Tenure-Track)

Campus: College of San Mateo

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

• Teach lecture and laboratory courses in astronomy
• Operate and maintain the planetarium, CCD cameras, and other laboratory equipment
• Assist in curriculum revisions and new course development
• Consult with students during regularly scheduled office and lab hours
• Maintain expertise in current technologies
• Lead students in observational research
• Serve as a member of division and college committees
• Perform other professional duties as required by contract and general institutional needs
• Organize and participate in community-focused outreach events

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

Knowledge of:

• Successful teaching techniques that engage students in their learning, motivate students to develop higher-order thinking skills, and ensure consistent and appropriate monitoring of student progress
• Instructional strategies designed for diverse learning styles and academic goals
• Computer-based and the latest technology relevant to teaching astronomy; commitment to and willingness to expand its use
• Current astronomy concepts and effective instructional practices, with a commitment to staying current with developments in the field

Skills and Abilities:

• Academic preparation for or successful experience in teaching astronomy at the community college or university level
• Commitment to the teaching profession, its goals, and ideals
• Enthusiasm for, understanding of, and commitment to the role and purpose of the community college
• The capacity to reflect on and evaluate one's pedagogy and to examine its effects critically
• Skill and experience in motivating students from a broad spectrum of academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds and varying abilities, including communicating effectively and constructively
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken language
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to the SMCCCD goal of integrating writing across the curriculum
• Experience with: reflectors, refractors, and Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes;
• setting up and using a solar telescope;
• the operation of a planetarium and its application to teaching.

Experience with:

• reflectors, refractors, and Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes;
• setting up and using a solar telescope;
• the operation of a planetarium and its application to teaching.

Evidence of, and commitment to involvement with, community-related projects such as outreach activities with local schools

Job Requirements:

Master's or higher in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics OR Bachelor's in physics or astronomy AND Master's or higher in engineering, mathematics, meteorology, or geophysics OR the equivalent (see below)

Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practice both within and outside of the classroom.

a) Degree Equivalence
The employee or applicant possesses a degree(s) with similar content to those listed for the relevant discipline. The name of the degree is close to that specified on the Disciplines List but the degree either has a different title or area of expertise, or the coursework is slightly different. Equivalence is established through analysis of transcripts and coursework.

b) Academic Background Equivalence
Related to disciplines in which a Master's degree is not generally expected or available or where the degree is relatively specialized, the employee or applicant must have completed at least 24 semester units (or equivalent) of coursework in the academic field being applied for, and must possess at least the equivalent level of achievement and the equivalent in breadth, depth, understanding, and rigor in each of the following:
a broad cultural education usually met by the general education requirements for any Bachelor's or Associate's degree, and
a detailed study of the discipline in breadth, depth, and rigor, usually met by coursework required for the degree major.

c) Professional Achievement Equivalence
The employee or applicant must demonstrate equivalence to the general education requirements for any Bachelor's or Associate's degree, and show evidence of outstanding professional achievement and/or substantial training in the requested field. The employee or applicant must submit substantial evidence, which demonstrates that their preparation, teaching experience, work experience, publications, portfolios, speaking engagements, and ability are equivalent to those expected from a person who meets the minimum qualifications.

Additional Information:

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months Per Year: 10

Safety: to promote a safe working and learning environment employees must report any unsafe working conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incident to their supervisor.
Position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
Position is a Responsible Employee under the Equity in Education Act and Title IX

Work Demands

The environmental, physical, and mental demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
Environmental: typical on-site office environment; in-person work expected with potential to participate in the District's telework program, as available.
Frequent hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and online
Comprehend speech at normal levels
Upper limb dexterity to operate computers and peripheral equipment
Vision sufficient for daily and frequent use of computers, databases, and written materials
Sitting for extended periods of time
Frequent bending at the waist
Physical presence at on-site locations
Communicate and interact with others
Observe and interpret people and situations
Learn and apply new information or skills
Perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks
Perform highly detailed work under changing priorities and deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks
Work with frequent interruptions
Self-regulate emotion and behavior

Benefits:

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Academic employees participate in the State Teachers' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California (no contributions to Social Security). Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement

San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2026 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2023-2025) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2026 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2026 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses [phone]. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.