"Assistant Professor of Physics - Tenure Track"

Assistant Professor of Physics - Tenure Track

Company: University of Central Missouri

Job Location: Warrensburg, 64093

Category: Physics

Type: Full-Time

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Location: UCMO - Warrensburg, MO

Job Type: Faculty Full Time

Job Number: 998828

Division: Dept of Physical Science

Description

The Department of Physical Sciences at the University of Central Missouri is accepting applications for a tenure track (TT) position in physics at the rank of Assistant Professor. The appointment will begin in August of 2026. Applicants must be able to offer lectures and laboratories associated with introduction to physics for non-science majors, algebra-based physics, calculus-based physics, and to develop a robust undergraduate research laboratory related to their scholarly area of expertise. The successful candidate will also be expected to assist with service activities in the Department of Physical Sciences.

Faculty within the College of Health, Science, and Technology at University of Central Missouri support the university's mission of providing student-centered, quality education and are committed to the success of students. This includes quality teaching, advising, collegiality and communication. In addition, faculty provide service to their program, department and university, engage in research, scholarship, and professional development activities. During contractual employment, faculty members are expected to be available to assist, engage, and respond to students, colleagues, departmental, college, and institutional needs.

Examples of Duties

Teaching - The primary responsibility of the faculty is quality teaching in their respective content areas, regardless of delivery format. This entails adequate preparation for courses, effective course design and instruction, and fair and timely evaluation/feedback of student progress. To ensure quality teaching, faculty must be committed to the success of students as well as ongoing assessment of curriculum and of student learning.

• Keep current in your discipline.
• Organize courses to facilitate quality student engagement and high impact practices.
• Assist department/school chairs with scheduling of classes that meet the needs of students.
• Comply with departmental, college, and university standards concerning the academic quality and integrity of their classes.
• Keep current in their use of technology by attending university training sessions and other professional development opportunities.
• Be available to meet students outside the classroom by being available before or after classes by scheduling office hours both in a physical and electronic format to include in person and virtual office hours.
• Assist with department and college assessment and be proactive with modifications to curriculum based on assessment feedback.

Scholarship/Professional Development - The strength of a university rests on the knowledge and skills of its faculty. Faculty must stay current in their field of expertise/teaching area.

• Authoring academic writings.
• Presentation of work at local/state/regional/national conferences.
• Active membership and/or office holding in professional organizations at the local/state/regional/national level.

Service - An expectation of a professional faculty member is to serve the department, college, and university community.

• Attending department/college/university meetings
• Engaging in committee work that will advance the department/college/institution.
• Assisting with student recruitment.
• Participating in graduation and convocation ceremonies.

Advising - A primary responsibility of faculty is the proper, timely, competent and professional advising of students.

• Be knowledgeable of the requirements of their degree programs as stated in the appropriate catalog(s).
• Meet/advise students on academic and non-academic matters (e.g. curriculum mapping, internships, graduate/professional school options and career preparation).
• Provide leadership and promote excellence in student organizations.

Communication - Faculty should communicate effectively and in a timely manner with students and colleagues at all levels of the institution. This implies an understanding of the communication hierarchy within departments, colleges, and administrative levels. Timely communication with students supports other faculty responsibilities (teaching, advising).

• Cultivate a collegial atmosphere when interacting with other faculty/staff within their own department, the college and the university.
• Be responsive and timely. Respond to student phone calls and email messages within university guidelines.

Typical Qualifications

Education:

• Ph.D. in physics or related discipline by start date required

Experience:

• Formal coursework and laboratory experience in physics topics required
• Demonstrated ability to teach existing physics course offerings required
• Ability to develop a vibrant undergraduate research program required
• Commitment to engage in curricular development, assessment, and service required
• Commitment to excellent in teaching, research, and professional development required
• Excellent communication skills required

Supplemental Information

To apply online, go to https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ucmo. Apply to position #998828. The following items should be attached: a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a teaching statement, a research statement that includes detailed proposals for two research projects appropriate for undergraduate students, copies of transcripts (unofficial acceptable), and a list of three professional references including their names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. Official transcripts and three letters of recommendations will be requested for candidates invited for on-campus interviews. For more information, contact:
Jay Steinkruger, PhD.
Department Chair, Physical Sciences
Professor of Chemistry
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO 64093
steinkruger@ucmo.edu

Initial screening of applications begins February 15th, 2026 and continues until the position is filled. UCM is located in Warrensburg, MO, which is 35 miles southeast of the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is a public comprehensive university with around 9,000 students.

Special Instructions:

• Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.
• 9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.
• Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.
• Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.