Assistant Professor (Term Instructional)

Department: College of Science

Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students (BS), and 80 graduate students (MS and PhD). Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions, including the Applied Research Lab, Argonne National Laboratory, CERN, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the US Naval Observatory. For more information on the department, visit http://physics.gmu.edu.

George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is Virginia's largest university with more than 39,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.

The George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Term Instructional Assistant Professor is responsible for preparing and teaching courses in physics (required) and astronomy (preferred), primarily at the undergraduate introductory and intermediate levels, as well as advising students toward academic, career, and life success. In addition, this position interacts with the department Chair and other faculty and staff regarding recruiting, curriculum design and assessment, and other service requirements of the department and university.

Responsibilities:

• Teach courses offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, including both lecture and lab courses in physics and/or astronomy, hold office hours, and mentor students; and
• Contributes departmental service, e.g., by serving on committees as assigned by the Chair. 

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in physics and/or astronomy, or a closely-related field;
• Experience teaching undergraduate physics and/or astronomy courses;
• Knowledge and ability to develop, implement, and teach physics courses at the undergraduate introductory and intermediate levels; and
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Commitment to mentoring and educating a broad range of students, particularly those who are traditionally underrepresented in physics and astronomy; and
• In addition to the minimum KSAOs, knowledge and ability to develop, implement, and teach astronomy courses at the undergraduate introductory and intermediate levels, as well as the ability to develop and implement innovative teaching methods.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Assistant Professor (Term Instructional) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent, CV, Philosophy of Teaching, Transcript, and three Letters of Recommendation.

Posting Open Date:  April 24, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  June 13, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes