Physics - Assistant Professor

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The mission of the College of Humanities and Sciences is to serve as the intellectual heart and soul of our institution and wider community. The College of Humanities and Sciences:

• Prepares lifelong learners to participate actively as engaged and responsible citizens
• Propels scientific research and scholarship to improve the human condition, cure and treat diseases, and promote healthy environments
• Grounds us in our history, critically examines our present human condition and empowers students to create more equitable local and global communities
• Provides communities with a passionate and creative workforce that serves as a powerful engine for economic development and innovative solutions to problems

As the intellectual lifeblood of VCU and our community, the College of Humanities and Sciences seeks to inspire our students to explore their passions and dreams as individuals and provide the context to understand their place in the world and connections with others-locally, globally and throughout time. Most importantly, our educational and research environment addresses an array of technological, health-related and societal problems, as well as providing profound insights and reflections of what it means to be human and humane.

Chief Purpose of this position: The Department of Physics at Virginia Commonwealth University, seeks a diverse pool of applicants for a new tenure-track Assistant Professor position in experimental physics beginning August 2023. We offer B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics and Ph.D. degrees in Nanotechnology. We seek an excellent, dynamic, hands-on experimentalist who would work on nationally-fundable research projects. We are particularly interested in the area of nanotechnology. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in experimental physics or a closely related field, as well as post-doctoral research experience. The successful candidate must have the demonstrated ability to teach courses across the physics curriculum, must be able and committed to contributing to diversity on campus, must be willing to contribute in service commensurate to rank, and must demonstrate a strong commitment to establishing and sustaining an externally-fundable research program.

Position Responsibilities: We seek an excellent, dynamic, hands-on experimentalist who would work on nationally-fundable research projects. We are particularly interested in the area of nanotechnology.

Required Qualifications: Candidates are required to have a Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field, as well as postdoctoral research and some teaching experience. The successful candidate must be an excellent experimental "bench-top" physicist, a self-starter, a clear communicator, and a talented teacher who can demonstrate the ability to teach effectively at the undergraduate and graduate level. The new hire must be able to work comfortably and effectively in a collaborative and diverse academic environment and should contribute to enhancing diversity on campus. The candidate must be able to build and sustain an active research program that will attract external funding. The candidate will be required to develop a sustained research program, as per the department scholarship standards that will contribute to the inquisitive climate in the department, result in the publication of peer-reviewed papers, and attract external funding. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute service to the department, college and/or university as appropriate to rank.

Preferred Qualifications: Postdoctoral research and some teaching experience.

Virginia Commonwealth University enrolls ~ 29,000 students. Diversity is among our greatest assets at VCU and we strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment as we know this is the best approach to achieve universal excellence and success. In 2020, 32.7% of our freshmen identified as first-generation, 52.3% as minority, and 35.4% as historically excluded minorities..

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Application review will begin Dec. 15, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. Applicants must use our eJobs portal ( www.vcujobs.com ) to submit a complete application package consisting of
1. Cover letter specific to this particular opportunity
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Contact information for three professional references who can speak to the candidate's suitability for this position. External letters of recommendation will be requested for selected candidates after an initial evaluation is complete.
4. Proposed research overview that focuses on the quality, viability and sustainability of the proposed work
5. Brief statement of teaching philosophy
6. A diversity and inclusion statement.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion. For more information and guidelines, see https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/