Assistant Professor of Physics - Applied Mechanics

CSU Careers • San Marcos, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

California State University San Marcos is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Physics to begin in August 2027. The successful candidate will specialize in applied mechanics or a related area, such as geophysics, continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics, rheology, soft condensed matter, structure of materials, or granular materials. The department seeks a faculty member to help establish an applied mechanics track within its Applied Physics bachelor’s degree program.

The role emphasizes undergraduate teaching and involving students in research. The candidate will teach courses across the undergraduate physics curriculum, use research-based instructional practices, and develop and sustain a research program that involves undergraduates and leads to original, peer-reviewed publications. The position requires effective communication and cooperative work with departmental colleagues and the campus community.

The position is based at California State University San Marcos in the San Diego North County region. The anticipated hiring salary is $8,500–$9,167 per month; the CSU classification salary range is $6,221–$13,224 per month. Applicants with ABD status may be considered and interviewed, but must hold the doctorate from an accredited university by the time of appointment.

Applications are submitted through the CSUSM Online Employment Application. Required materials include a cover letter addressing minimum and preferred qualifications (maximum two pages), curriculum vitae, teaching philosophy statement (maximum two pages), research plans statement (maximum two pages), and contact information for three references. If applicable, applicants should also provide representative publication reprints and works in process, summaries of student teaching evaluations with average GPA for each class taught, and copies of graduate-level transcripts including relevant coursework. Application review begins November 20, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. Working in California is a condition of employment; the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field, with specialization in geophysics, continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics, rheology, soft condensed matter, structure of materials, granular materials, or a related area. ABD applicants may be considered, but must have the doctorate from an accredited university by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated teaching excellence and commitment to exploring research-based instructional practices.
• Ability to teach courses across the undergraduate physics curriculum.
• Record of published research commensurate with years of experience.
• Ability to develop and sustain a research program involving undergraduates that leads to original, peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with departmental colleagues and the campus community.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to contribute to developing and offering an applied mechanics track within an Applied Physics bachelor’s degree program.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis and other techniques and software packages relevant to applied mechanics research and industry.
• Demonstrated intercultural competence in teaching, research, and/or service.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses across the undergraduate physics curriculum.
• Use and explore research-based instructional practices in teaching.
• Develop and sustain a research program involving undergraduate students that leads to original, peer-reviewed publications.
• Help develop an applied mechanics track within the Applied Physics bachelor’s degree program.
• Work cooperatively with departmental colleagues and the campus community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree