"Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Two-Year Position"

Job Description

Trinity University's Department of Physics & Astronomy invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic years, beginning in August 2026. Teaching responsibilities will consist of a total of six courses per academic year (a 3/3 load), at both the introductory and advanced levels. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field by August 10, 2026.

BACKGROUND

Trinity University is a secular, independent, private institution, founded in 1869. Trinity offers high-quality science, liberal arts, and pre-professional programs as represented by the four schools (STEM, Arts & Humanities, Social Science and Civic Engagement, and Business) to approximately 2,500 undergraduate students from the U.S. and more than 45 countries. The attractive campus overlooks downtown San Antonio, a city rich in heritage and ethnic diversity. Additional information can be found on the Resource Guide to Trinity & San Antonio.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of eight departments in the D. R. Semmes School of Science, endowed with a gift of $26 million that in part supports student research and faculty development. The D. R. Semmes School of Science is housed in the Center for the Sciences and Innovation, an innovative and collaborative hub for interdisciplinary research and teaching.

The Physics and Astronomy Department (www.trinity.edu/academics/departments/physics-and-astronomy) is part of the Center for Science and Innovation (CSI), a high-tech teaching and research center that has been certified as a LEED Gold facility.

Both the Department of Physics and Astronomy Department and the University as a whole value and safeguard academic freedom for faculty members in their teaching and scholarship. Trinity is guided by a set of core values and is committed to implementing practices in pursuit of an inclusive campus for all students, faculty, and staff to feel welcomed and engaged in a community of learning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach three courses per semester to support the curricular needs of the Department and the Pathways general education curriculum.
• Maintain good departmental citizenship by, for example, attending regular department meetings and colloquia.

The ideal candidate will show:

• Teaching experience and/or demonstrated interest in pedagogy
• A clear understanding and appreciation of the liberal arts experience
• A commitment to Trinity's value of intentional inclusion

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

This position is for two consecutive 9-month terms starting in August 2026 and August 2027. Disbursements may be chosen over a 9-month or 12-month period.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Required: Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field by August 10, 2026

Preferred: Teaching experience, a demonstrated interest in pedagogy, and an appreciation of the liberal arts experience.

ATTENDANCE

All classes at Trinity are taught on campus and in person.

HOW TO APPLY

For internal applicants, please apply through Workday using the 'Jobs Hub' application, see instructions provided here.

For external applicants, when starting the application, select "Apply Manually." Only complete fields with a red asterisk, which are required. Please create your Workday application account using a personal email address, as you will need to maintain access to this account throughout the pre-hire process, if selected.

For all applicants, you do not need to complete the "(Work) Experience," "Education," "Certifications," or "Languages" fields - these details will be provided in your curriculum vitae.

In the "Application Documents" field, please upload the following as seen below. Each as a separate pdf file - or provide other instructions

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Statement
• Reference List
• Intentional inclusion statement - see guidance below

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, intentional inclusion statement, and reference list, each as a separate pdf file. The cover letter should clearly state why the candidate is interested in working at Trinity. The intentional inclusion statement should convey an understanding of the need for a diverse and inclusive environment and may include strategies for achieving that goal, particularly in the classroom. The reference list should include contact information for one to three individuals who will be contacted if the application advances to the interview stage. Trinity is committed to developing its faculty to better reflect the diversity of our student body and of society at large. Individuals whose identities are underrepresented in physics are strongly encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin on February 2, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please make sure materials are submitted by Feb 1, 2026.