Assistant Professor (Continuing Track), Department of Physics and Astronomy
Company: Assistant Professor
Location: Newark
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (CONTINUING TRACK), DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
AND ASTRONOMY, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE The Department of Physics and
Astronomy (web.physics.udel.edu) in the College of Arts and
Sciences seeks applications for a Continuing Track (CT) faculty
position at the rank of Assistant Professor starting August 16,
2026. CT faculty positions are continuing, long-term positions,
with responsibilities focused on teaching. CT faculty are eligible
for promotion in academic rank, participation in shared governance,
and sabbatical leaves (see
https://sites.udel.edu/ctcaucus/why-do-you-want-to-be-a-ct-faculty-at-ud/
for details). The Department of Physics and Astronomy at UD is a
research-active department with vigorous undergraduate and graduate
physics programs that also values high-quality instruction. The
successful candidate will join a group of faculty (both tenure and
continuing track) with interest in teaching introductory physics
using pedagogical methods informed by PER (Physics Education
Research). Professional development of instructional faculty is
strongly encouraged and supported by the department. QUALIFICATIONS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES: We are seeking an exceptional candidate to
teaching introductory undergraduate physics. The minimum
quali?cations for this position are a completed Ph.D. or Ed.D. in
Physics, Astronomy, Physics Education, or a related field, and
experience in teaching introductory physics classes to STEM majors
at the college level. The ideal candidate will have: expertise and
demonstrated excellence in teaching introductory physics classes to
STEM majors, including those associated with Health Sciences and/or
Engineering. expertise and/or interest in PER-informed pedagogical
techniques, and curriculum development and assessment, experience
managing courses with multiple sections, teaching assistants,
and/or laboratory sections. The primary responsibilities of this
position will be teaching mainly introductory-level Physics courses
during the fall and spring semesters, and coordinating the
associated discussion sections (taught by Teaching Assistants). CT
faculty are employed year-round. Responsibilities during the winter
(January) and summer terms (June-August) can include course
preparation, curriculum development, and/or scholarship.
Scholarship can include pedagogy, outreach, and/or
education/physics research. Depending on departmental needs,
opportunities may also be available to teach upper-level
physics/astronomy or introductory astronomy courses. The successful
candidate will also participate in Department, College, and
University service. For questions about the position contact Dr.
Véronique Petit, Chair Search Committee ( vpetit@udel.edu ). The
Department of Physics and Astronomy at UD: The Department of
Physics and Astronomy (DPA) at the University of Delaware (
https://web.physics.udel.edu/ ) is within the College of Arts and
Sciences. The DPA is home to more than 35 full time faculty with
research interests spanning sub-atomic phenomena to astrophysics,
with external research grant funding in excess of $9M per year. The
DPA currently has about 90 graduate students and100 undergraduate
majors. The DPA introductory physics curriculum serves over 2500
undergraduate students per year. The College of Arts and Sciences
(CAS) is the largest college at the University of Delaware,
comprising 22 academic departments, 2 academic centers, and 35
interdisciplinary centers, programs, and institutes across the
arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. CAS serves
every student at the University through foundational coursework,
while also supporting over 7,300 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate
students majoring in our disciplines. In 2024-2025, CAS conferred
more than 1,400 BA and AA degrees and 460 graduate degrees. Our
community includes more than 600 full-time tenure-track and
non-tenure contract faculty who are leaders in their fields,
innovators in teaching, and advisors to nonprofit and governmental
agencies at the local, regional, national, and international
levels. Faculty emphasize the enduring value of an arts and
sciences education and share a deep commitment to excellence in
scholarship and all forms of creative and intellectual expression.
With annual sponsored research expenditures totaling more than $40
million, including significant funding from the NIH and NSF, CAS
houses several large, interdisciplinary grants and maintains
outstanding research and teaching facilities that encourage
innovation and collaboration. Guided by a commitment to shared
governance, CAS faculty serve as leaders in the University and
College Faculty Senates. More than 380 staff members and 45
postdoctoral fellows and researchers further enrich the CAS
community by providing essential support to students and academic
units. CAS maintains annual operating expenditures of over $152
million and is a hub for interdisciplinary engagement, connecting
students and faculty with local, national, and global communities
through research, creative activity, and public service. The
University of Delaware is proud to be an equal opportunity
employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or
status as a protected veteran, as well as any other status or
condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For
the University’s complete non-discrimination statement, please
visit www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html TO APPLY: Review of
applications will begin on January 15, 2026, and will continue
until the position is filled. Applicants should upload at
http://www.udel.edu/careers the following material: A CV that:
includes a chronological list of all courses taught (as instructor
of record or teaching assistant) with the approximate number of
students in each. lists participation in service tasks,
professional development opportunities, leadership positions, etc,
if applicable. A teaching statement (max 3 pages). In this
statement, please provide a narrative of your relevant experience.
Here are some examples of information that the committee might find
useful (this list is for guidance only, and not exhaustive): a
description of PER-informed pedagogy implemented by the candidate,
an explanation of assessment techniques for student learning and
teaching effectiveness, a description of experience managing large
enrollment courses, the candidate’s approach to fostering
engagement and a sense of belonging in the classroom, a summary of
student feedback and/or peer-review observations, a description of
activities undertaken by the candidate to develop their knowledge
of pedagogical practices, with a focus on physics education. The
contact information for 3 individuals who are willing to provide
letters of recommendation. Letters will be requested after the
application is submitted and after a first review of the
applications. For additional information, please contact Dr.
Véronique Petit, Chair Search Committee (vpetit@udel.edu). SALARY
AND BENEFITS: Compensation packages are highly competitive and
commensurate with experience and qualifications. The UD benefits
package is one of the best in the nation. Notice of
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity The University of Delaware
does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual
orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability,
religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected
by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and
activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs
as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The
University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including
sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Keywords: Assistant Professor, Scranton , Assistant Professor (Continuing Track), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Education / Teaching , Newark, Pennsylvania
