Assistant/Associate Professor in Physics Education Research

The successful candidate will be a regular faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Mississippi.

About the Role

The Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in physics education research (PER) at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. This position is supported in part by an endowment to honor F. Douglas and Cora Beal Shields and represents a significant institutional investment in establishing PER as a strategic area of excellence.

The purpose of the endowment is to:

• Recruit and retain outstanding faculty for the Department of Physics and Astronomy;
• Advance the understanding of physics pedagogy and contribute to the field of PER;
• Raise the quality of instruction across the department;
• Seed a new research area with meaningful doctoral production.

This position offers a unique opportunity to establish a nationally visible PER group at a flagship R1 university with strong undergraduate and graduate physics programs. Income from the endowment will provide funds for research and creative activity, including support for personnel (graduate teaching and research assistants, undergraduate learning assistants), operational support for scientific studies, travel to conferences, and hosting visitors and workshops.

There are opportunities for collaboration with UM’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Center for Math and Science Education, Center for STEM Learning, and Institute for Data Science. The department seeks a driven, energetic colleague to help craft a long-term vision for growing PER and act as a catalyst for extending modern, evidence-based teaching practices.

Responsibilities

• Teach a standard load of undergraduate and graduate physics courses.
• Build and sustain an active, high-impact research program in Physics Education Research that publishes regularly in relevant scientific journals, involves undergraduate and graduate students, and leads to significant graduate degree production.
• Contribute to departmental and university committees, engage in public outreach activities, and/or provide service to the profession.
• Mentor graduate students and provide research opportunities leading to the Ph.D. degree.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field.
• Relevant experience beyond the doctoral degree.
• A strong record of publication or impact in the field.
• Demonstrated potential for establishing and sustaining a nationally recognized research program.
• Well-conceived plans to pursue external funding opportunities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and startup package.
• Funds for research and creative activity, including support for personnel, operational expenses, travel, and hosting visitors/workshops.

Evaluation of applicants will begin on Friday, November 6 and continue until the position is filled. Questions may be sent to persearch@phy.olemiss.edu.