The Department of Physics at St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time, one-year position at the Visiting Instructor or Assistant Professor level to begin August 2023.

The position includes teaching a variety of courses for undergraduate physics majors. The primary offerings include upper division Newtonian mechanics, introductory mechanics, and advanced laboratory. The successful candidate will also teach an elective course such as computational physics, field theory, astrophysics, general relativity, or a topic in the candidate’s specialty.

Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or closely related field and demonstrated potential for excellent teaching at the undergraduate level. Candidates nearing completion of their Ph.D. (ABD) will also be considered for appointment at the rank of Visiting Instructor. We seek candidates with enthusiasm for teaching in an environment where close collaboration with students is the norm and where inclusive teaching practices are encouraged and supported.

About the Department:

The Physics Department at St. Olaf graduates an average of 22 majors per year and has eight faculty members, a technician, and an administrative assistant. Visiting faculty members teach a full load of six course equivalents. The department promotes an interdisciplinary vision of the natural sciences. We partner with the Engineering Studies program and have two faculty members jointly appointed to other areas such as biology, neuroscience, and environmental studies. We also maintain active connections to mathematics and computer science. Computational approaches to physics are emphasized in our introductory curriculum. To encourage an inclusive and vibrant community, the department and its students organize events whose highlights include Fall and Spring picnics, a speaker series, weekly teas, and workshops developed by our TEAM-UP group. For more information about the department, visit wp.stolaf.edu/physics/.

Diversity:

At St. Olaf College, we are committed to equity and inclusion. We strive to be a campus of welcome where students, faculty, and staff thrive by bringing their full humanity—gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality, and age—to the Hill each day. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity, transparency, trust, cooperation, consensus, respect, and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening, cultivating a growth mindset, respecting those with different views, being informed by data, and understanding that the work is ongoing, collaborative, organic, and ever evolving. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

How to Apply:

A complete application includes:

1. Cover letter (Please include a statement about your approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI))
2. Curriculum vitae
3. A statement on your approach to teaching (upload as Statement of Teaching Philosophy)
4. The contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship

Review of applications will begin on April 3 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position, department, or college may be directed to Brian Borovsky, Department Chair, at borovsky@stolaf.edu.

Who We Are:

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff employees. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, restored, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.

The college offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 9% company retirement match, company monthly contributions to a retirement healthcare account, company contributions to eligible employee’s health savings account, significant tuition discount (up to 80% off) at ACM and ELCA colleges and universities for employee’s children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of benefit offerings, see the summary of the benefits program here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.

A link to our DEI page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/

A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483

An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/

An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/

St. Olaf College requires all employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination, as defined by the CDC. You may request an accommodation. Compliance with St. Olaf's COVID-19 policy is a condition of employment. Under current guidelines, "up to date" means one updated (bivalent) booster, which became available on September 7, 2022. 

St. Olaf College is an equal employment opportunity and voluntary affirmative action employer.  The College is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community.  With regard to its hiring and employment practices, the College prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based upon an individual’s legally protected status including race, color, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance.

For Staff Application Assistance:
employment@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068

For Faculty Application Assistance:
facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356

Title IX Contact Information:
Pamela McDowell, Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator
1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Tomson Hall 180
Northfield, MN 55057
507-786-3465
mcdowell@stolaf.edu

About St. Olaf College

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff employees. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, restored, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.  The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.

Connections working at St. Olaf College