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The Physics Department at Willamette University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Physics position in experimental physics to begin August 2009.

Willamette University is a nationally recognized liberal arts college of about 1,800 undergraduates that also offers graduate programs in law, business, and education. Willamette's location in Salem, Oregon's capital city, provides numerous recreational opportunities, with the coast, the Cascade Mountains, and the cities of Portland and Eugene all within an hour's drive. The Physics Department has 3 full-time faculty and the current position is a replacement position. Within the next couple of years the Physics Department will add a fourth position as Willamette makes the transition to a new teaching load.

For more information about the Department please see our web site www.willamette.edu/cla/physics.

We seek a dynamic teacher who can also establish a productive research program in the context of a small liberal arts college that can involve undergraduates. The area of research specialization of the successful candidate is open; however, preference will be given to atomic, optical, and condensed matter physics. Start-up funds are available as well as various forms of internal grants, which support faculty research. Willamette has a successful Science Collaborative Research Program (SCRP), which supports faculty and students in carrying out summer research. One or two Physics faculty have participated in SCRP nearly every summer since its formation in 1996.

For more information about SCRP please see www.willamette.edu/cla/scrp.

The successful candidate must have a demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching. The new faculty member will teach core undergraduate physics courses at all levels, participate in the operation and maintenance of the undergraduate laboratories, direct senior research projects, and teach a liberal arts first-year seminar. The standard teaching load is currently two courses and two laboratory sections per semester, typically with one course at the introductory level and one at an advanced level. After the first year, he or she will also direct 1 to 3 senior research projects each year. In fall 2010 the teaching load at Willamette will be reduced by one course each year. This rebalancing of load recognizes the educational value of a more active faculty research environment and will enable our faculty to interact with research students more effectively during the academic school year. Each Physics faculty member is expected to contribute experimental projects to the relatively new advanced lab course, Advanced Techniques in Experimental Physics. Faculty have the opportunity to offer a special topics course centered around his or her research field on a rotating basis.  Various forms of internal grants are available to support faculty teaching.

Applicants must have a Ph.D., or equivalent, in experimental physics and have demonstrated a potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching and for establishing an active research program that can involve undergraduates.

Applications may be submitted electronically as attached files (e.g., PDF or Microsoft Word files) to rwatkins@willamette.edu or or as hard copies. Applications should include:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (may be unofficial)
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Research program statement including a description of how you would carry out your research at a small liberal arts college
• Names and contact information of three references
• Arrange the letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the search committee, either electronically or as hard copies. At least one letter of recommendation must address your qualifications for teaching undergraduates at a liberal arts college.

If submitting application materials in hard copy, please send to:

Professor Richard Watkins
Physics Search Chair
Physics Department
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem OR 97301

Consideration of completed applications will begin December 1, 2008 and continue until a panel of finalists has been selected.

Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and to rich and rewarding communities, Willamette University is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body.  We seek candidates, particularly those from historically under-represented groups, whose work furthers diversity and who brings to campus varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.