Department Head, Department of Physics & Astronomy

General Summary:

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of Physics & Astronomy invites applications for a 12-month Department Head / tenure-track faculty position to teach in and direct the physics, astronomy, and pre-engineering programs at UNG.

The Department Head reports to the Dean of the College of Science & Mathematics and is expected to divide their time between teaching, administrative duties, and scholarship. The successful candidate will be committed to delivering quality, student-focused undergraduate education and fostering a departmental culture of teaching excellence. This includes supporting faculty efforts to implement high-impact teaching practices informed by physics education research. A significant fraction of the Department Head’s time will be spent on administrative duties, including managing the departmental budget, supervising and evaluating faculty performance, planning for and executing departmental initiatives, and serving on University committees. Support for faculty engaging in University service, student recruitment, and public outreach is expected. The successful candidate is also expected to develop a research program — in any area of physics, astronomy, or engineering — that actively involves undergraduate students. In addition, the successful candidate should be supportive of existing undergraduate research programs within the Department.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy is a growing department with 16 faculty located on UNG’s Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, with plans to expand to the Oconee campus. In 2018, the Department was recognized for its commitment to excellence in undergraduate education when it was UNG’s nominee for Georgia’s Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award for Department or Program. The Dahlonega campus offers a B.S. degree in physics, a concentration in astrophysics, and a 3+2 dual-degree physics/engineering program with partnering institutions. The department is currently developing an engineering physics concentration, and is increasing its focus on producing more high school physics teachers with the implementation of a Learning Assistant (LA) program and a physics teacher education pathway. These programs currently produce about 15 – 20 B.S. graduates per 1 academic year. The Gainesville campus offers physics courses through the sophomore level, but it is expected that the 3+2 physics/engineering and B.S. programs will be expanded to include the Gainesville campus over the next several years. Both campuses serve a large number of 2+2 pre-engineering students, all of whom take at least one year of physics. The department facilities include extensive equipment for introductory and upper-level labs, a state-of-the-art digital planetarium, and a new astronomical observatory that will open in summer 2020.

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Georgia. UNG is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and associate degrees to a professional doctoral program, UNG is responsive to regional education and economic development needs. Federally designated as a senior military college, one of the university's signature leadership programs is its 800-member Corps of Cadets on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2019.

Must have a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching.

Experience directing and supervising research with undergraduate students.

Commitment to undergraduate education.

Strong administrative and organization skills.

Experience managing employees and students is preferred.

Experience with teaching practices supported by physics education research is strongly preferred.

Experience managing a departmental budget is advantageous.    

Please Note:

Statement of teaching experience and philosophy (max. 2 pages)

Statement of research interests and plans to involve undergraduates (max. 1 page)

Statement of supervisory and administrative experience (max. 1 page)