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Human Resources

Assistant Professor (Physics)

LOCATION:

United States Naval Academy, Physics Department

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2023 and will continue until the positions are filled.  

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:

The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in Annapolis, Maryland.  As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose--to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional leaders in our naval service.

The United States Naval Academy is committed to building a diverse workforce of faculty and staff who provide a multi-disciplinary and hands-on approach to student learning and leadership development.  We believe that individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives strengthen our programs and positively impact student success. We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for consideration.

Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know — the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The US Naval Academy Physics Department invites applications for two tenure-track assistant professor positions.  Candidates with research specialties in astrophysics or nuclear physics are of greater interest in this year’s search; however, we encourage all interested candidates to apply.  This position may begin as early as the Summer of 2024.

USNA is a service academy and top tier liberal arts college with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in faculty teaching and research. Our highest priority is to find a candidate who is committed to teaching in a highly interactive environment while establishing and maintaining a thriving research program here at USNA.  Teaching load for an assistant professor is typically 2 class sections per semester with small section sizes (15-25 students) and 2 preps per year.

We are committed to hiring faculty who embrace the diverse nature of our student body, comprising exceptional women and men from every congressional district in the United States. In addition to demonstrating the ability to establish and grow a research program resulting in regular peer-reviewed publications, it is particularly attractive if a candidate’s research program provides opportunities for meaningful involvement by upper-class undergraduate physics majors.  Feel free to explore our department webpages for further information, usna.edu/PhysicsDepartment.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Teach 2 sections of undergraduate physics or astrophysics per semester
  • Establish and maintain a research program producing significant, regular contributions to the scientific community (e.g. refereed journal articles)
  • Involve undergraduates in this research program in a consistent and meaningful way
  • Contribute rank-appropriate service to the department and the institution

This is an onsite, 10-month compensation, excepted service federal faculty position with a 3-year renewable appointment, a highly competitive salary, and full federal benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum:

  • A Ph.D. in physics, astronomy or a related discipline is required (anticipated completion of Ph.D. no later than June 2024 is acceptable).

We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience or demonstrated interest in some or all of the following areas:

  • Commitment to teaching a very diverse student body in a range of undergraduate courses including introductory calculus-based physics
  • Experience teaching at the undergraduate level
  • Knowledge and interest in employing active learning in the classroom environment
  • Demonstration of superior teaching ability during an onsite interview
  • A superior record of research and scholarship in peer-reviewed journals
  • Plans to conduct research at USNA that is suitable for student participation
  • Research experience in astrophysics or nuclear physics
  • Ability to collaborate with our current faculty or researchers at local institutions and/or a strong record of independent research
  • A demonstrated mastery of their subject during a research talk and in faculty discussions during the onsite interview
  • Shows promise as a teacher, coordinator and/or developer of a variety of physics courses, including required courses for physics majors at the upper-class level.
  • Superior performance in a postdoctoral appointment
  • A demonstrated ability to thrive in a collaborative, collegial environment.

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Applications in the form of a cover letter, a CV including professional experience relevant to the position, graduate and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are fine), the names of three references (we will contact you if we would like you to arrange for references to send their letters directly to us), a statement of teaching philosophy, a description of research plans, and a statement discussing your plans for bridging gaps to students from underserved populations. These materials should be sent electronically, preferably as a single pdf, to the chair of the search committee, Professor Chris Morgan, at physics-positions2024-group@usna.edu

Please note: Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1, 2023, but the positions will remain open until filled. 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:


  • All Civilian Excepted Service/Faculty Positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination.  Background investigations for non-US Citizens often require up to two years to complete, and employment for non-US Citizens cannot begin until the background investigation is complete. More information about the background investigation process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website here http://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  

The Department of the Navy provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants with disabilities who believe they require reasonable accommodation should contact our Human Resource Office to ensure that the Department of the Navy can consider such requests.  The decision to grant an accommodation will be made on a case by case basis.

OPTIONAL DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION REQUEST:

Submit a Demographic Information on Applicants Form to rsharps@usna.edu. This form is optional; your responses will not be shared with the hiring committee or anyone involved in the hiring process.

Announcement: PHYS-23-24-2

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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