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The Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences at American University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning August 1, 2027. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent professional experience in physics, engineering, or a related physical science. A strong candidate should have an engineering, applied physics, and/or engineering education research background and/or experience in experimental physics instrumentation research. Candidates should demonstrate dedication to overall teaching excellence in American’s undergraduate only physics department. This includes hands-on experiential learning, undergraduate professional development, and mentorship. In addition, the successful candidate will help AU build its new undergraduate engineering physics major. We welcome applications from those with experience in areas including, but not limited to, sensors and instrumentation, energy physics, acoustics, bioengineering, medical physics, space systems, and optics. Strong candidates will show evidence for the potential to obtain STEM and workforce development grants and the ability to form partnerships with industry and non-governmental organizations. In addition to research and teaching, responsibilities for this position include participation in department, college, and university activities.

American University is a private institution with a broad student population in the dynamic metropolitan area of Washington DC. Our campus is within easy reach of the many science and technology centers located in and around the nation’s capital, including NASA, NOAA, NIST, DOE, NSF, NIH, DOD, and many other federally funded labs and research centers. Our department prides itself on our student-centered approach to teaching and mentorship and we are committed to building an welcoming community for all students interested in physics and engineering. The Physics Department offers undergraduate degrees in physics, including a newly minted engineering physics major. We welcome applications that demonstrate interest in collaboration with existing faculty and local institutions, including interdisciplinary collaborations with those in adjacent fields.

The annual salary range is $100,000-111,000. Review of applications will begin November 2, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled, subject to ongoing budgetary approval. Please submit applications via: [workday link later]. Include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, and recent teaching evaluations (when possible). Please arrange three letters of recommendation to be directly submitted through the job application portal: after the candidate submits the application, Workday will prompt the applicant to provide contact information about their letter writers. Please contact Gregory Harry, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected] with any questions.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.