2024/25 Adjunct Faculty, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Apply now Job no: 497383
Work type: Adjunct Faculty
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Faculty
Division: Natural Sciences and Math

About the University of Denver

Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower them to make a difference around the world. Through learning, scholarship, and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge, and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.

The University of Denver recognizes that its success in being a great university dedicated to the public good depends greatly on how well it engages, supports, and champions the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. As part of our intentionality in recruiting and retaining faculty from a wide variety of historically excluded intersecting identities, including those from communities of color, with diverse gender and sexual identities, first-generation college graduates, or with disabilities, new faculty will have the opportunity to choose to participate in a pilot University-wide initiative. This initiative will connect new colleagues in a cohort, building community across units with supportive programming led by the Office of the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs in collaboration with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and each faculty participant’s academic unit. To learn more about the University of Denver’s commitments and work in support of DEI and J, please visit: https://www.du.edu/equity. For more information about this program or if you have any questions, please email inclusion@du.edu and/or visit https://duvpfa.du.edu/faculty-resources/prospective-faculty/.

About the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The college is home to five academic departments: Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geography and the Environment, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. The college offers over 30 degrees ranging from Bachelor of Arts to Doctor of Philosophy as well as having many active research labs funded through extramural sources. DU and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are strongly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment of belonging for all. In alignment with this commitment and regardless of specialization, successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to integrate content, programming, processes, communication, and sentiments to build a welcoming community of learning for all, being conscious of individuals with historically minoritized identities. You can read more about DU’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on the University’s website.

About the Department of Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy (P&A website) underwent a strong expansion with nine tenure-track and two teaching professor positions filled since 2006. Our diverse and dynamic faculty of 12 includes four women who come from seven different countries. Out of 10 research faculty, there are five NSF CAREER award winners, two Cottrell and Scialog Scholars, and one W.M. Keck Foundation award recipient. Additionally, faculty are supported by DOE, traditional (three-year) funding from NSF and grant awards (R15, RO1) from NIH. We provide an attentive, hands-on research and learning community for undergraduate and graduate students up to the PhD level. The program is recognized by the APS among US PhD-granting departments for our high percentage of female graduates, placing second nationally at the undergraduate level and third at the graduate level (APS data for the period 2011-2013).

Position Summary

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is accepting expressions of interest for adjunct faculty positions in the academic year 2024/25, as follows:

  • Descriptive Astronomy (PHYS 1050) in Autumn Quarter 2024
  • Solar System Astronomy (PHYS 1070) in Winter Quarter 2025
  • Cosmology (PHYS 1090) in Spring Quarter 2025
  • General Physics III (PHYS 1113) in Spring Quarter 2025 (two sections)
  • Physics of Climate (PHYS 2610) in Spring Quarter 2025

Some courses may not be offered, depending on the student interest. Adjunct faculty positions are non-benefitted positions. More information about the courses can be found on the Registrar’s Office schedule of classes: https://www.du.edu/registrar/course/scheduleofclasses.html

Essential Functions

  • Teach courses as scheduled
  • Create and Maintain course Canvas container
  • Assign papers, exams, and other assignments
  • Grade in a timely manner
  • Hold office hours and meet with students over Zoom or in person

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Ability to teach classes in different modalities (in-person, hybrid, and online) at both undergraduate and graduate levels
  • Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with diverse internal and external constituencies
  • Ability to communicate with diverse audiences

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Physics (for all courses) or Astronomy (for the astronomy 1000-level courses)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ph.D. degree in Physics (for all courses) or Astronomy (for the astronomy 1000-level courses)

Work Schedule

While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar).

Application Deadline

For priority consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MDT) on August 9, 2024.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Course Rate

The course rate is $4,854 for Master's degree and $6,068 for PhD degree. 

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Names of three professional references who may be contacted by members of the search committee.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

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