Faculty - Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor -
Physics
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Job Type: FT Faculty
Job Number: FY2706760
Closing: 12/15/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Location: Main Campus - Orem
Division: VP Academic Affairs
Position Announcement
Join Utah Valley University as an Assistant Professor of Physics
and contribute to a dynamic academic environment dedicated to
student learning, discovery, and success. This faculty position
includes a 12-credit teaching load each semester, offering the
opportunity to teach a variety of courses, including upper- and
lower-division courses, general elective courses, college service
courses, laboratories, and majors' courses. Faculty are encouraged
to bring a student-centered and engaging approach to instruction
while participating in assessment, curriculum planning,
instructional improvement, and other activities that enhance the
quality of the educational experience. Through regular office
hours, student consultations, and mentorship, you will play a
meaningful role in supporting students both inside and outside the
classroom.
In addition to teaching, this position offers the opportunity to
develop and sustain a robust research program that actively
involves undergraduate students in scholarly work. Faculty are
expected to pursue presentations at professional conferences,
publish in peer-reviewed journals, and seek internal and external
funding to expand research opportunities and resources for
students. The role also includes service to the department,
college, university, and broader community through committee
participation, collaborative initiatives, and institutional
leadership. For candidates passionate about teaching, mentoring,
research, and helping students achieve their academic and
professional goals, this position offers an opportunity to make a
lasting impact while advancing the field of physics.
Summary of Responsibilities
- Teaches twelve credit hours per semester, which may include any
combination of courses listed in the UVU Catalog offered with a
PHYS or ASTRO prefix, including upper and lower division courses,
general elective courses, college service courses, laboratories,
and majors' courses.
Teaches in a student-oriented, engaged manner, with fully
prepared classroom lectures, demonstrations, and other appropriate
activities.
Makes use of classroom and course management tools such as
those made available online by the university per university
policy.
Carries out appropriate planning, implementation, evaluation
and assessment of learning activities.
Keeps thorough records of student performance such as grades,
and other information related to performance and outcomes.
Shows strong commitment to student success both inside and
outside the classroom as evidenced by holding regular office hours
and other student consultations, responding in a reasonable and
timely manner to student communications such as email, and in
mentoring student researchers in appropriate projects.
Participates in professional development activities related to
teaching, such as faculty workshops, conferences and similar
events
Develops and maintains an active, student-oriented research
program which must include participation by undergraduates with an
outcome of having students present results at local, regional or
national conferences, and/or publish in peer-reviewed
journals.
Develops financial resources to support research, both from
internal funding sources and (preferably) from external funding
agencies.
Engages in professional development activities including
participation in professional meetings.
Collaboration with other faculty at UVU, as requested, and
those of other institutions.
Participates in service to the department, college, university
and/or community per university and department policy.
Attends department meetings and serves on committees as
required.
Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications
A PhD in physics or a closely related field is required at the time
of appointment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Evidence of, or potential for, excellence in teaching a variety
of physics classes at the undergraduate level.
- Proven success in a field of physics research with
collaborative potential with current UVU physics, science, and/or
engineering faculty. Fields relating to biomedical applications,
condensed matter physics, or technologies relevant to contemporary
material physics may have particular potential for effective
collaboration.
- Additional preference will be given to those with experience
interfacing with undergraduate engineering programs and/or in
developing and implementing undergraduate laboratories.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Knowledge
- Good understanding of the fundamentals of physics, mathematics,
and computational methods at a level sufficient to teach
introductory courses and one or two upper-division courses, such as
mechanics, thermodynamics, electrodynamics, optics, quantum
physics, or relativity.
- Knowledge specific to a particular research discipline in
physics is sufficient to mentor undergraduate research and create
new opportunities for students in that field.
- Knowledge of educational "best practices" in teaching physics
and other pedagogical methods.
- Basic knowledge of the operation and functions of a college
department and university, and be knowledgeable about specific UVU
institutions and policies related to the job.
Skills
- Social skills to communicate with and treat all students and
university personnel with respect, professionalism, patience,
kindness, and good humor.
- Common computer and communication skills such as are used in a
modern office.
- Proficiency in any of a variety of computer languages
appropriate to physical science.
- Problem-solving and calculation skills in physics and/or
astronomy.
- Skills to organize and maintain a research program.
- Skills to mentor students individually in a compelling,
effective, and safe manner.
- Good classroom management skills.
- Skills to explain complex physical ideas to those without a
mathematical foundation.
- Skills to explain complex physical ideas with the use of
appropriate mathematical models to those with advanced scientific
backgrounds.
Abilities
- Ability to use educational "best practices" in teaching physics
and other pedagogical methods, and the ability to explain complex
physical principles at a variety of levels, depending on the
audience.
- Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and in
speech.
- Ability to relate to students, faculty, and staff in a caring
and professional manner.
- Ability to have tenacity in working with difficult, long-term
problems.
- Ability to create new opportunities for students by performing
effectively in research and innovating new projects.
- Ability to solve problems effectively.
- Ability to analyze problems in a rational and objective
way.
- Ability to engage the interest of coworkers and students alike
in educational pursuits.
- Ability to collaborate with peers at UVU and at other
institutions on projects of interest in teaching and in
research.
EEO Statement:
UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's
qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to
race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,
gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability,
veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related
conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by
applicable federal, state, or local law.
To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/uvu/jobs/5529436/faculty-tenure-track-assistant-professor-physics
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