Lecturer of Physics and Astronomy

Position Information

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.

Position Title
Lecturer of Physics and Astronomy

Requisition
202600025F

Rank
Lecturer

FLSA status
Exempt

Hiring Salary
Commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type
Full-Time Non-Tenure Track

College
College of Science & Engineering Technology

Department
Dept of Physics & Astronomy

Open Date
03/11/2026

Position Details

Duties Performed in the Usual Course of the Job

The Sam Houston State University Department of Physics & Astronomy invites applications for a salaried lecturer position to begin in Fall 2026. Appointment is on an annual (9 month) contract basis with possibility of continuing annual renewal thereafter.

The primary responsibility of this position is teaching the core astronomy courses in our newly renovated Engaging Spaces classroom.

The instructional load is (4|4), i.e. four three-credit-hour courses for each of the fall and spring terms. A majority of instructional duties will be in-person, at the main SHSU campus, although a portion of assigned courses may be conducted online.

The department operates a new off-campus observatory (The Dominey Observatory), which opened in the spring of 2024. This wheelchair-accessible facility features an 18-foot dome with a 28" telescope from PlaneWave Instruments that supports imaging and also viewing at the eyepieces. The advertised position includes full observing privileges, and the successful candidate would be encouraged to participate in outreach programs using the Dominey Observatory, but organizing outreach activities is not required.

This position will be based at the main SHSU campus in Huntsville, Texas.

Educational Requirements for the Position

Requires a minimum of a Master’s degree in Astronomy or Physics or a very closely related field.

Experience Required for the Position

Teaching experience is greatly valued in the selection process. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate that they are capable of providing quality teaching while maintaining an engaging classroom environment suitable for learning. The successful candidate should have a commitment to student success in our core astronomy courses for non-science majors, exhibit an ability to incorporate active learning styles in their presentations, and be able to teach introductory astronomy in various modalities, including face-to-face, online, and hybrid. The ideal candidate will have engaged in scholarly work involving astronomy education research, but such scholarship is not required.