"Physics Affiliate Instructor"

About the University

MSU Denver enrolls over 16,000 students, where nearly 60% are first generation and over 55% are students of color. Located in downtown Denver, we are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado. As the third largest institution of higher education in Colorado and the only institution with an open access mission, MSU Denver is a model university for today’s students. The University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

Position Summary

The Department of Physics at MSU Denver invites applications for part-time affiliate faculty teaching positions. This listing is for potential future affiliate faculty needs to teach courses in Physics and Astronomy, including required laboratories. For more information about the Department of Physics in our College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, please visit: https://www.msudenver.edu/physics/.

Responsibilities

Teach introductory courses in university physics and astronomy including associated laboratories. An affiliate faculty member’s duties include teaching assigned classes in person or online by delivering course content to students, preparing course materials and lesson plans, grading student work, providing students with robust feedback in a timely manner, addressing student questions consistent with university, college/school, and department policies, advising, and providing online or in person academic support to students as needed and appropriate for the teaching assignment; providing instruction in assigned classes consistent with the content and learning objectives of the regular course syllabus and, if required, with department course coordination policies; and complying with university-wide student evaluation of instruction policies and peer observation policies. Applicants may be asked to teach in-person, online, or in hybrid capacities dependent upon course needs. In person instruction may include days, evenings, and weekends as needed. The ability to adapt and learn new modes of instruction is highly encouraged. Candidates need to be sensitive to the educational needs of a diverse student population.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in Physics, Astronomy, or closely-related discipline.

Terms of Employment

Affiliate faculty are part-time, at-will employees hired to teach on a per credit hour basis for specific classes, usually on a semester-by-semester basis. Affiliate faculty are not eligible for benefit coverage under the University’s benefit program. All such teaching assignments are dependent on budget and enrollment. Qualified candidates will be expected to teach in person/on campus upon hire.

Salary for Announcement

The final salary is based on the number of credit hours assigned at a rate determined by university policy. For more information, please view pay rates under the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Affiliate-Rates-2025.pdf.

How to Apply

Candidates must apply online through MSU Denver’s career site, https://www.msudenver.edu/careers. Complete applications will include the following materials: Curriculum vitae, Cover letter, Copies of all unofficial transcripts, A list of three professional references and their contact information. Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more: https://www.msudenver.edu/human-resources/benefits/.

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver. We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.