Westminster University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Physics to begin in August 2025. The successful candidate will demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching and a commitment to liberal arts education. They will have the freedom to create new content, engage in cutting-edge pedagogical practices, and conduct interdisciplinary work collaboratively within the sciences and across the university.

The 24-credit annual teaching assignment will include lower-division courses for both majors and non-majors, and upper-division courses in physics. More information about the Physics Program can be found in the Westminster University Undergraduate Academic Catalog. In addition to teaching, Westminster faculty mentor students as academic advisors and contribute to the functioning of the university through service. The candidate will also have the opportunity to develop and teach new Science & Math courses to support the WCore liberal education program.

We particularly seek candidates who have a strong interest, and ideally experience, in teaching using methods developed and supported by Physics Education Research (PER). Preference will be given to candidates who are able to supervise students in undergraduate research at a small liberal arts college (including in experiment, theory, and PER). A Ph.D. degree in Physics, Physics Education, Astronomy, or Astrophysics is required.

Westminster University’s commitment to diversity and global learning is revealed in its core values, mission and vision statements, and learning goals. We seek colleagues who are prepared to facilitate the learning of all students, including those from groups historically underrepresented in higher education, such as students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and first-generation college students.

About the Institution

Westminster University (formerly Westminster College) is a private, independent, and comprehensive university in Salt Lake City, Utah. Students experience the liberal arts blended with professional programs in an atmosphere grounded in wellness. With the goal of enabling its graduates to live vibrant, just, and successful lives, Westminster provides transformational learning experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students in a student-centered environment. Faculty focus on teaching, learning, and developing distinctive, innovative programs, while students thrive on Westminster’s urban Sugar House campus within minutes of the Rocky Mountains.

Learn more about Westminster’s students, classes, NCAA Division II athletics, and commitment to service and sustainability on the About Westminster University webpage. Our YouTube channel features more information to answer the question What’s it like to work at Westminster University? Westminster’s numerous accolades include #1 in Best Value School in the West (US News and World Report 2023) and a Green College (Princeton Review). Additionally, Salt Lake City was ranked the best metro area for jobs by the Wall Street Journal in 2023.

Westminster is the only post-secondary institution in the state of Utah awarded grant funding by the US Department of Education to host the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. McNair programs serve low-income and first-generation college students and/or students from groups underrepresented in graduate study. Of the 169 graduates who have gone through the Westminster University McNair Scholars Program since 2003, 72% (122) of students have an advanced degree or are currently in graduate school; 42% (71) have masters degrees; 5.9% (10) have professional degrees; and 12% (21) have PhDs.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Physics completed no later than August 2025.
• Teaching experience at the post-secondary level, including as a teaching assistant or equivalent experience.
• An active intellectual life that includes regular presentations at academic conference and the occasional publication of scholarly and/or pedagogy-related articles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching. The successful applicant will …
  • …have served as the instructor of record for multiple courses.
  • …demonstrate the ability to employ Physics Education Research-supported pedagogical practices that generate active and engaged learning.
  • …demonstrate an understanding of the importance of a liberal arts education.
• Demonstrated skill in and commitment to supporting students from structurally marginalized communities in higher education.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students in research.

Salary and Benefits:

The 9-month starting salary at the Assistant level will be in the range of $60,133 to $63,473. Additional funding is available by application for conference travel and summer student research advising. Benefits information can be found on the Employee Benefits website.

Application Instructions:

For application instructions, please consult the online job board https://westminsteru.edu/about/human-resources/index.html .  Applications will be reviewed starting on October 15^th; applications received before this date will receive full consideration. A complete application that demonstrates competencies in the above qualifications will include the following 4 materials (no other materials will be considered):

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. A letter of application that highlights how you meet the qualifications for the position (listed above), being sure to include:
   1. a discussion of your past teaching experiences
   2. a summary of your scholarly activity and student mentoring experience
   3. how your career goals align with Westminster’s Mission Statement and position as a private, independent small comprehensive university with a liberal arts foundation
   4. how your expertise will complement existing expertise and programming at Westminster
3. A one- to two- page statement of teaching philosophy, being sure to include:
   1. your preparation to teach and mentor students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education
   2. your experience with or understanding of Physics Education Research supported pedagogical practices that generate active and engaged learning in small undergraduate classes
4. Contact information for three professional references

About Westminster University

Founded in 1875, Westminster University (formerly Westminster College) is a private, independent institution with a rich history rooted in liberal arts education. Over the last 30 years, the institution has added professional programs in business, nursing and health sciences, and education. The University has a strong academic reputation, deep community and alumni support, and a legacy of providing student-centered, liberal arts and professional education. It offers an intimate higher education experience to more than 1,200 total students, including almost 320 graduate students. Westminster University has received numerous accolades, including: - Ranked #5 “Best Value School”, #18 “Best Regional University”, and #15 “Best Undergraduate Teaching” institution by U.S. News and World Report in 2022, - Recognized as a “Top Green College” by the Princeton Review in 2022, - Recognized as the #9 “Best College for Veterans” and #12 “Best in the West” by the U.S. News and World Report in 2022, - Ranked above two-thirds of U.S. colleges in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education 2022 College Rankings list, - Consistently recognized as a “Best College in the West” by the Princeton... Review. Westminster’s beautiful campus is situated in a charming residential neighborhood of Salt Lake City called Sugar House, a 10-minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City. Roughly half of Westminster’s student body comes from outside of Utah and includes students from 42 countries. Approximately 19% of students identify as US students of color. Whether students live on or off campus, they have the opportunity to participate in more than 60 active clubs and organizations, informal gatherings at Shaw Student Center, and a variety of events sponsored by the Associated Students of Westminster (ASW). In addition, the university has fifteen total men’s and women’s intercollegiate teams in NCAA Division II and a competitive intramurals program. Westminster proudly sent eight student and alumni Olympians to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Westminster is the only post-secondary institution in the state of Utah awarded grant funding by the US Department of Education to host the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. McNair programs serve low-income and first-generation college students and/or students from groups underrepresented in graduate study. Since 2003, Westminster has served approximately 160 McNair students, some of whom were relocated to Salt Lake City as refugees from Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, and Bosnia. Sixteen McNair alums have earned a PhD, and 73 percent have either attained an advanced degree or remain in the graduate-study pipeline.

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