Assistant or Associate Professor of Engineering Physics

About the Role

St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in Engineering Physics at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, beginning August 2027. This role contributes to the launch of a new Engineering Physics major designed to meet ABET accreditation standards.

Teaching responsibilities include five course equivalents per year, primarily within the Engineering Studies Program. Service expectations include academic advising of students and leadership within the Engineering Studies Program.

Responsibilities

• Teach introductory and advanced design courses, Systems and Controls, Statics, Engineering Thermodynamics, and Fluid Dynamics.
• Provide academic advising to students.
• Leadership within the Engineering Studies Program, including assisting with ABET accreditation, advising engineering students, expanding internship opportunities, and building industry connections.

Requirements

• PhD in an engineering discipline.
• Engineering research that substantively involves undergraduates and is competitive for external funding (startup funds are available).

Preferred Qualifications

• Flexibility to contribute to the physics academic program through teaching.
• Prior experience in teaching, working in industry, or conducting postdoctoral research.

About the Department

The Physics Department at St. Olaf College provides a collegial, supportive, and intellectually vibrant environment. It graduates around 25 students annually and offers summer and academic year research opportunities in engineering, applied physics, soft matter physics, biophysics, geophysics, theoretical physics, and physics education.

The department is launching an Engineering Physics major designed to meet ABET accreditation standards in the 2027-28 academic year. It ranks nationally in the top ten as a producer of physics bachelor’s degree recipients and is housed in a Platinum LEED-certified science building with cutting-edge facilities.

The department is committed to inclusive excellence, drawing from recommendations of the TEAM-UP report (AIP, 2020). For more information, visit the TEAM-UP website or the department website.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match.
• Contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts.
• Significant tuition discount (up to 90% reduction) at ACM, GLCA, and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children.
• Generous paid time off.

Pay

$82,200 - $92,200 per year.

About St. Olaf College

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. Located in Northfield, Minnesota—a historic river town of 20,000—it is 45 minutes south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in an inclusive and globally engaged community.

St. Olaf encourages applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and enriching its diverse community. For more information, visit the Community and Belonging page.