Visiting Assistant Professor Of Physics, Engineering, And Astronomy

Level: Experienced

Job Location: Earlham College - Richmond, IN

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Graduate Degree

Job Category: Faculty

About Earlham

Earlham College is a Top 100 National Liberal Arts College located in Richmond, IN, a small city that's just a short drive away from several major metropolitan areas including Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Richmond and Earlham have a symbiotic relationship. Through research, studies, internships and volunteering, Earlhamites offer Richmond expertise and service as Richmond offers our students the chance to gain valuable, real-world experience. Our community assumes no religious affiliation but follows Quaker principles and practices, which include respect for persons, integrity, a commitment to peace and justice, simplicity, and consensus-based community decision-making. Earlham is committed to and proud of being a diverse and inclusive place most clearly visible in our student body: 20% of our student body are international, coming from 60+ nations in 2022, and 24% are domestic students of color. Faculty and staff also bring tremendous diversity to the College; many have lived and worked outside the United States, and they make a point of drawing on those experiences in their interactions with students. Additionally, Earlham makes it a priority to serve as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ communities and has a four-star rating on the Campus Pride Index. Our community is characterized by respect for every person and a commitment to social justice. Equity and inclusion are central to Earlham's institutional priorities and our leadership is committed to widening the path to an Earlham education.

Position Summary

Earlham College is seeking a two-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy to join our team.

The Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy is a small, dynamic group with five full-time teaching faculty members, administrative support, and active research programs in computational biophysics and gravitational physics. We are in year one of building a program (Engineering for Good) that is distinctive in its deep integration across our campus and community, both complementing and being strengthened by Earlham’s experience in the liberal arts, as well as its mission grounded in Quaker principles. Earlham’s facilities include local cluster computing resources, a teaching observatory, a natural history museum with a planetarium, a laser physics research lab, and dedicated research space for a successful candidate.

Responsibilities

Things you will do

• Teach 3 courses per semester. In practice this load will usually be two lectures and two lab sections per semester, although the particulars of any individual’s load depend on the needs and assets of the department during a given term. The main teaching responsibilities will be in Physics, but the department is flexible enough to accommodate candidates who also have interests in Engineering and Astronomy.
• Support our diverse faculty, staff and student body. Earlham is committed to working toward being a just and equitable campus. Teachers are expected to support all voices and build empowering classrooms, especially for marginalized groups.

Things you can choose to do

• Perform original research with Earlham’s undergraduates either during or between semesters. The College has a range of research facilities and opportunities for internal and external funding support.
• Grow as a teacher. Earlham is committed to the classroom experience, and thus provides ample opportunities to improve your pedagogy. These chances come both internally, through formal mentorship, and externally, through funded workshops and conferences.
• Develop further professionally. Among other areas, a position at Earlham offers the chance to: be an informal undergraduate advisor; participate in Earlham’s community governance process, learn to write grants etc. The position also includes access to scholarly travel funding for conferences.
• Participate in on- and off-campus activities. Earlham professors regularly attend sports and music events, lead off-campus trips, and otherwise support each other and the student body outside the classroom.

Qualifications
Position Requirements

• A PhD in Physics or a related field by Fall 2024
• A demonstrated passion for and experience of teaching excellence
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice
• The ability to be a positive example and resource to all Earlham Students

Preferred Qualifications

• An interest in conducting research with undergraduate students

Please Note: Review of applications will begin on February 5th, 2024, and will continue until the position has been filled.

To Apply

Please submit the following application materials through our Earlham Careers Portal:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter - Address your interest in the opening explaining your relevant work history as it pertains to this position.
• Statement of DEI – Submit your thoughts and experience with matters of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as it relates and specifically pertains to this position, in a 300 – 1000 word statement. (Examples of helpful topics include: your understanding of DEI principles, past experiences with DEI, and/or future plans to contribute to DEI at Earlham.)
• Statement of your teaching philosophy.
• Research statement addressing your research history and interests
• List of three professional references with contact Information

Contact Michael Lerner (lernemi@earlham.edu) with any questions about this position.

Employee Benefits at Earlham
A full description of the Earlham College benefits plan can be found in the 2024 Earlham Employee Benefits Guide. Highlights Include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*
• Company paid Long-Term Disability after 1 year of full-time service*
• Basic and Voluntary Life insurance*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Campus Store Discount
• Free ticket vouchers for Richmond Symphony Orchestra
• Wellness Center Free Membership or Discount for eligible employees
• Athletic Games-Free entry to all home games Earlham Athletics
• Free entry into most Theatre/Music shows
• Tuition Benefits for Immediate Family for eligible employees*
• 403(b) Retirement* – For eligible employees, Earlham will contribute a non-elective contribution equal to 5% of gross pay after 2 years of service. After 3 years of service, this non-elective contribution increases to 8%. Vesting credit is available for new employees with previous service in the education sector with required documentation.
• Many Wayne County Chamber of Commerce member businesses offer discounts to anyone with an Earlham ID

*All employee benefit offerings are subject to employee eligibility per plan documents.

Earlham College is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse community, one that reflects the makeup of society at large and that particularly welcomes and supports individuals from groups that have been historically marginalized because of factors such as race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, and physical ability. The College strongly encourages applications from women and people of color. As an institution with a Quaker identity, the College also solicits applications from members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Earlham's Work Authorization Policy

Earlham utilizes E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees within the United States.