PTF Assistant Professor of Instruction

University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

45d

About The Position

The Department of Physics at The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Professional Track Assistant Professor of Instruction to begin in the 2026-27 academic year. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal based on performance, programmatic needs, and funding. This is a nine-month appointment (fall and spring semesters) with the possibility of summer teaching by mutual agreement. This position is dedicated to advancing excellence and innovation in undergraduate physics education. The successful candidate will contribute to the department's teaching mission through high-quality instruction in lower-division undergraduate physics courses, with a typical load of up to three courses per semester. In addition to teaching, the appointee will have opportunities to engage in curriculum design, course coordination, mentoring of teaching assistants, and development of research-based instructional materials and assessment tools that improve student learning outcomes and equity in physics education. The Department of Physics educates thousands of students each year, offering courses tailored to physical science majors, engineering and life science students. The department consistently supports efforts to enhance the educational experience and possesses an array of resources to support instruction, including a vast offering of lecture demonstrations and an undergraduate learning assistant program to support active learning in the classroom. We are eager to find a colleague to join our team and refine their physics educational abilities and have an impact on students for many years to come.

Requirements

• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Physics or a closely related field and have college-level teaching experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience implementing evidence-based teaching practices in physics
• Effective communication and collaborative skills in an instructional environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with course coordination, curriculum reform, or large-enrollment active-learning environments
• A record of physics education research (PER), or scholarly contributions to the development and evaluation of innovative instructional practices
• Experience in developing or evaluating assessments aligned with learning goals and physics education research findings.

Responsibilities

• High-quality instruction in lower-division undergraduate physics courses (up to three courses per semester)
• Curriculum design
• Course coordination
• Mentoring of teaching assistants
• Development of research-based instructional materials and assessment tools

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees