Full-time Faculty, Physics

Overview

The Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at National University (nu.edu) invites applications for a full-time appointment with open rank depending upon experience in Physics with a strongly preferred background in Earth Sciences. Applicants are required to hold a PhD in Physics. This is an onsite teaching position based in San Diego. This full-time position has opportunities for contract renewal as defined in our Faculty Handbook; this position has long-term potential.

The faculty member will provide intellectual leadership toward achievement of the highest possible level of excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and professional development. They will teach courses within the physical sciences core discipline. National University is a Hispanic Serving Institution with diverse students, many of whom are military members and first-generation college students. The faculty member will have the opportunity to reach our students through engaging and inclusive teaching, offering excellent feedback, and inspiring students to achieve course and program outcomes. This position collaborates with other faculty (both full-time and part-time) and administrators within the Department and the School of Arts, Letters, and Sciences (including the Department Chair, Academic Program Directors, Assistant Deans, and Dean) by contributing to strategies that ensure course and program quality, as well as student engagement and success.

Application Instructions:

Materials Required for Submission at time of application:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vita
• Diversity statement
• Teaching philosophy statement

Additional Materials Needed for Submission if selected for interview:

• Three letters of recommendation
• Evidence of effective teaching (if available)

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Terminal degree in Physics
• Background in Earth Sciences strongly preferred
• Experience with both onsite and online academic environments preferred (experience is related to initial professor rank)
• Pedagogical innovation related to discipline and course development preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to serving diverse learners

Essential Functions:

All faculty are expected to carry out instruction, scholarship, and service as follows.

• Include multiple methods of engagement to create a positive learning environment that encourages motivation and persistence; maintain frequent communication with students; offer opportunities for ongoing interaction to discuss feedback, address concerns, and plans; make accommodations to address learning styles and needs.
• Apply innovative, uniquely competitive, and distinct high-performing techniques, approaches, and content knowledge in physical science courses.
• Maintain the rigor, high standards and consistency of courses that attract, retain, and prepare a diverse body of students to meet workforce demands.
• Leverage adaptive and advanced technology-based educational approaches to student engagement and learning outcomes.
• Ensure course and program practices are in alignment with compliance and accreditation standards, as applicable.
• Utilize effective teaching methods while encouraging higher order thinking.
• Reinforce alignment of course activities to course and program outcomes as evidenced by announcements, discussion participation, and feedback.
• Incorporate supplemental content in announcements, discussions, and assignment feedback to support student learning and engagement.
• Consistently model good discussion practices and encourage active participation from students.
• Establish personal and authentic presence while sharing experience, skills, and knowledge with students.
• Reinforce meaningful connections between course content and broader concepts.
• Provide personalized, substantive, timely, and constructive feedback on assignments that empowers and encourages students to improve.
• Participate in course discussions actively and substantively.
• Provide timely, substantive communication and feedback utilizing technology tools.
• Provide and regularly reinforce available communication methods, response timelines, and office hours.
• Interact and reply to students at the beginning of each term, on discussion forums, and on assignment feedback.
• Post weekly announcements providing guidelines for success and introducing weekly topics and expectations.
• Provide an inclusive learning environment that encourages student success and motivation.
• Encourage student interactions and collaboration while providing direct and indirect support.
• Consistently demonstrate awareness of the importance of inclusive practices and accessibility.
• Consistently provide support to at-risk students.
• Adhere to National University’s academic integrity policy.

Scholarship

• Contribute to the university’s position in given areas of academic pursuit through scholarly research.
• Engage in scholarly activities to maintain professional growth and accreditation expectations.

Service

• Serve on assigned university committees, societies, councils, and chapters, and engage in community activities that promote program outreach and university goals
• Participate in program meetings and advisory boards to integrate best practices and strategic initiatives
• Attend and participate in professional groups, staying abreast of new trends and innovations
• Participate in professional development as outlined in the faculty handbook
• Align professional development activities with program objectives and faculty evaluation

Expected Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Develops curricula related to the physical sciences.
• Demonstrates the ability to drive teaching through engagement for adult learners in an online environment, using multiple modalities, leveraging technology and providing feedback to students that is meaningful, timely, balance and individualized.
• Collaborate with other full-time and part-time faculty to ensure consistency in physical science course sections.
• Accepts personal accountability, proactively seeks resolution for personal limitations head-on, and supports honesty and respect towards others, National University, and oneself.
• Actively seeks to build effective relationships and gain alignment with peers and/or collaborators.
• Acts as an innovator: develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; recognizes opportunities for change; encourages new ideas; designs and implements new or cutting-edge courses.
• Works collaboratively to foster a cooperative spirit within teams of diverse cultures, while working in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects, deadlines, and/or changing priorities, even during times of transition.
• Develops and achieves measurable and challenging goals to support the University’s vision, mission, strategic goals, and objectives.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and effectively communicates with a wide range of individual constituencies in a diverse community.
• Offers excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills to simplify complex data that informs departmental and program strategies.
• Maintains excellent organizational and communication skills, with a proven ability to provide timely, accurate information on a variety of academically-oriented subjects to both internal and external constituents.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employee per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a diverse mix of highly talented, innovative, and create people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University. We are focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of race, color, ancestry, age, family care status, veteran status, marital status, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and other legally protected group status.