Employment Opportunities at USD

5562

The Physics and Biophysics Department at the University of San Diego, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, offers BS and BA degrees in Physics and in Biophysics, including a concentration in Applied Scientific Computing. The department’s mission is to promote a deep physical understanding and appreciation of nature and to develop our abilities to address fundamental scientific questions, solve challenging problems, and share our research and knowledge. We do this through high-quality classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory experiences, individualized mentoring, collaborative research experiences with state-of-the-art tools, and the cultivation of an inclusive scientific community.

The College of Arts and Sciences is at the heart of the University of San Diego. Our philosophy is built on the enduring values of the Catholic intellectual tradition, immersing students in the concepts of free inquiry, ethical conduct and compassionate service. The College aims to establish an academic foundation for students to thrive and gain a comprehensive education, which spans the sciences, arts and social sciences. Through our exemplary liberal arts education and rigorous scholarship, we aspire to not only educate the mind but also develop the whole person.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

The University of San Diego (USD) Department of Physics and Biophysics invites applications for a full-time non-tenure track faculty position to teach physics courses during the 2026-27 academic year and possibly beyond. Teaching responsibilities will likely include some combination of introductory physics lectures and labs, plus possible future upper-division courses depending on department needs and candidate expertise. We offer both algebra-based introductory physics for life science majors and calculus-based introductory physics for physical science and engineering majors. We also offer courses for non-STEM majors. Class sizes are typically limited to 36 students in lecture courses and 20 in labs. A full-time teaching load will be two lecture sections and three lab sections per semester. Full-time faculty members will hold five hours of in-person office hours per week. We expect faculty members to be committed to teaching excellence and the usage of inclusive and evidence-based teaching practices.  

This position is included in the Non-tenure Track Bargaining Unit, and the successful applicant employee, subject to the terms of the College’s Collective Bargaining Agreement will be a bargaining unit member and will be subject to the University’s Agreement with SEIU Local 721.

This is a full-time, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of 8/31/2027. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.

Minimum qualifications: Candidates must have an MS in Physics (or a closely related field such as Applied Physics) before the starting date (August 2026).

Preferred Qualifications: Qualified candidates will have a PhD in Physics and college-level teaching experience beyond the teaching assistant level.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

This appointment is a full-time 9-month contract, benefits-eligible, non-tenure-track position at the rank of Teaching Professor, with a salary of $6,092-$6,275/month paid out over 12 months. Candidates with significant college-level teaching experience may negotiate for appointment at the Senior or Distinguished Teaching Professor rank.

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.