The Grainger College of Engineering: Teaching Assistant Professor - Department of Physics

About the role

The Department of Physics in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign seeks a full‑time Teaching Assistant Professor. This is a non‑tenure‑track, benefits‑eligible appointment whose primary responsibilities are teaching. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of upper‑level undergraduate project‑based courses (including instrumentation), teach introductory courses, support the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, and provide leadership in curriculum and educational initiatives while maintaining a sustained record of high‑quality, evidence‑based instruction and service to the department, university, and broader educational community.

Responsibilities

• Teach upper‑level undergraduate project‑based courses, including those involving instrumentation
• Teach introductory physics courses
• Contribute to the undergraduate and graduate physics curriculum
• Provide leadership in curriculum development and educational initiatives
• Maintain a sustained record of high‑quality instruction
• Engage in scholarly and evidence‑based teaching practices
• Provide service to the department, the university, and the broader educational community

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Physics or a closely related field required by the expected fall 2027 start date (start date negotiable)
• Ability to teach effectively in the areas described above
• Commitment to maintaining high‑quality instruction and engaging in evidence‑based teaching practices
• Willingness to provide service to the department, university, and educational community

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics or related field
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level
• Experience developing and delivering project‑based laboratory or instrumentation courses
• Evidence of leadership in curriculum design or educational innovation
• Strong commitment to evidence‑based, scholarly teaching and service

Skills

• Effective teaching of undergraduate and graduate physics courses
• Curriculum development and instructional design
• Instrumentation and laboratory instruction
• Leadership in educational initiatives
• Evidence‑based and scholarly teaching practices
• Service, mentorship, and community engagement
• Communication and collaboration

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents
• Dual Career Academic Couples Program
• Work‑life balance and family‑friendly programs for faculty and staff
• Access to world‑class experimental and computational facilities, including:
  • Coordinated Science Laboratory
  • Materials Research Laboratory
  • Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Lab
  • Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
  • National Center for Supercomputing Applications
• Programs supporting high‑quality innovative teaching, such as the Grainger College of Engineering’s Academy for Excellence in Engineering Education (AE3) and the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning
• Illinois Value Proposition resources supporting professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and purpose

Pay

The budgeted salary range for the Teaching Assistant Professor position is $85,000 to $95,000 for a 9‑month service basis paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Schedule

9‑month appointment (academic year) with salary distributed over 12 months.