Assistant/Associate Professor of Physics (Applied Physics)

Role details

Texas Lutheran University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor of Physics (Applied Physics) position in the Department of Physics, beginning August 2027. We seek a dedicated educator and scholar who will contribute to undergraduate teaching, student-centered research, and the continued development of the department’s Physics and Applied Physics programs.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in physics and applied physics, including introductory and upper-level courses, laboratory courses, and service courses for non-majors, with a teaching load of 12 credit hours per semester. The candidate will be expected to pursue an active scholarly program that engages undergraduate students in meaningful research experiences, contribute to the continued development of the Applied Physics program and engineering-related educational pathways, and participate in departmental and university service.

The department particularly values candidates who can integrate experimental, computational, and applied approaches into undergraduate teaching and research.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered with assurance of degree completion by August 2027.
• Background in experimental physics, engineering physics, or a closely related experimental field.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to teach a broad range of undergraduate physics courses at both introductory and advanced levels, including laboratory instruction.
• A demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring undergraduate students in research, including senior capstone projects.
• Demonstrated ability or commitment to mentoring students from diverse academic backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with undergraduate physics laboratory design and development, including instrumentation, experimental methods, and data acquisition.
• Experience with scientific programming, numerical methods, or computational modeling in physics or related fields.

Department Overview

The Department of Physics at Texas Lutheran University offers bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Applied Physics within a student-centered undergraduate program that emphasizes excellence in teaching, hands-on laboratory experiences, and close faculty mentorship. The department has a strong applied focus, with the Applied Physics program preparing students for engineering-related pathways through experiential learning, laboratory instruction, and computational approaches to problem-solving. As a small department, Physics fosters a close-knit community of students and faculty and maintains connections with other STEM disciplines.

An active chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) plays a central role in departmental life through regular meetings, participation in scientific conferences, and community outreach activities.

Application Process

To be fully considered for this position, each candidate should submit the following materials as a single electronic file (PDF preferred) as well as complete a TLU Employment Application, available at the following link: https://tlu.bamboohr.com/careers

• Letter of application addressing the required and preferred criteria
• Current curriculum vitae
• Statement explaining your teaching philosophy and practice, especially as those relate to inclusive service of TLU’s diverse student body.
• Statement detailing how research interests and experience will actively engage undergraduate students
• Contact information for three professional references (names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers).

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to [email protected].

University Overview

Texas Lutheran University is rigorously committed to inclusion. A Hispanic-Serving Institution with a student body almost 50% Latinx/Hispanic, TLU celebrates a community diverse in many ways. One of the 28 colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, TLU celebrates its strong religious diversity and its deep commitment to academic freedom. For more information, consult https://www.tlu.edu/campus-equity.

TLU is situated at the edge of the Texas Hill Country in the San Antonio-Austin corridor, one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. Primarily undergraduate, TLU also offers a number of graduate programs as well as offsite programs in nursing in Houston and New Braunfels.

Salary and benefits are competitive. TLU is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).