Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Physics

Position Title:
Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Physics
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Position Type:
Regular
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About the Role:
The Department of Physics, Geology, and Engineering Technology (PGET) at Northern Kentucky University invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in all areas of Experimental Physics or Engineering Physics to begin August 2027. We will consider candidates who have achieved ABD status.
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Required Qualifications:
A doctorate degree in Physics, or related field is required by the time of the appointment (August 2027)
Expertise in experimental physics or engineering physics.
Ability to establish a research program in physics or engineering physics that involves undergraduate student researchers.
Proven record of scholarly research in physics or engineering physics.
Ability to teach physics courses both at the introductory and upper levels
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in teaching undergraduate-level courses effectively.
Ability to mentor capstone projects
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students with diverse social identities and backgrounds
Responsibilities:
Core responsibilities for this job includes, but not limited to:
Teach physics courses, both introductory and upper level
Establish an active and sustainable research program that involves NKU’s undergraduate students
Support the engineering physics and the pre-engineering programs
Promote student engagement and improve the quality of undergraduate learning
Participate in service activities of the department
The PGET department has 10 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and 4 full-time, non-tenured faculty who serve approximately 260 students enrolled in its programs. The department, will be housed in the newly renovated Herrmann Science Center and its expansion, which is due to be completed in Spring 2027. The department offers baccalaureate degrees in physics, engineering physics, geology, and three specialties in engineering technology as well as pre-engineering transfer programs.
More information about the department can be found in the web page, https://www.nku.edu/artsci/departments/pget/index.html
The department offers a BS degree in Engineering Physics: it has four tracks and consists of courses in physics and engineering technology. The pre-engineering program is geared for students who plans to transfer to engineering programs after two or three years at NKU. The program also offers a BA and a BS in physics: The BA is suitable for a dual major with a second major in engineering physics, mathematics or education. The BS is suitable for a student who wants to pursue a graduate degree in physics.. There are approximately 60 undergraduate Physics majors, Engineering Physics majors and pre-engineering students currently.
The department provides ample opportunities for undergraduate research in physics. For more information on the Physics and Engineering Physics Programs at NKU please visit:
https://www.nku.edu/academics/programs/index.html#/results?keyword=Department+of+Physics,+Geology,+%26+Engineering+Technology&interests=&types=
College of Arts and Sciences and the Department actively support new faculty with professional development and mentoring opportunities: these includes but not limited to, start-up support for research, internal grants for research, funds for conference travel and stipends for research students. NKU also offers faculty development grants which are supported via the Provost’s office including summer fellowships, projects grants and sabbatical leave for tenured faculty every six years.
Teaching load in the College of Arts and Sciences is usually 12 credit hours a week. In the Engineering Physics and Physics programs this spans the entire undergraduate physics curriculum, which includes introductory and advanced courses for majors, general education courses and lab courses.
NKU is a comprehensive regional university of approximately 15,000 students located seven miles from downtown Cincinnati, OH in an area offering an outstanding quality of life. It is near a variety of natural areas and is a nationally recognized metropolitan university committed to active engagement with the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region of nearly two million people. The university has been recognized as one of America’s most military-friendly and disability-friendly schools.
NKU’s vision is that we will be nationally recognized for being a student-ready, regionally engaged university that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. Our core values place emphasis on our culture of excellence, creativity, innovation, and collegiality.
For additional information on NKU visit https://www.nku.edu/
Candidates should submit: a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research plan, and email and phone numbers of at least three references.
Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Please contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Sharmanthie Fernando (fernando@nku.edu) for any questions.
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Work Environment & Physical Demands: