Tenure Track Faculty Position

Assistant Professor of Experimental Physics

Department of Physics and Astronomy

College of Science

Position Description

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure track faculty position in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Cal Poly Pomona is one of three polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona students participate in an integrative experiential learning education that is inclusive, relevant, and values diverse perspectives and experiences. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the university is well known for its learn- by-doing approach and Teacher Scholar Model.

The university is noted for its scenic and historic 1,400-acre campus, which was once the winter ranch of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the territorial and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. The university’s nearly 30,000 students are taught and mentored by the campus’s more than 1,400 faculty as part of 54 baccalaureate and 29 master’s degree programs, 11 credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Highly regarded among its peer institutions, Cal Poly Pomona is No. 2 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of top public regional universities in the west and was named the No. 28 best value college in the nation by Money Magazine. Cal Poly Pomona, a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, stands as a national leader in promoting social mobility, and was placed among the 25 top institutions in the country in awarding bachelor’s degrees to minoritized students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. In 2022, the campus launched the Black Thriving Initiative recognizing that Cal Poly Pomona’s future as a university is linked to the success of its Black community. More information about our campus initiatives and our Principles of Community can be found on the Office of Inclusive Excellence’s website. 

The Cal Poly Pomona campus is located less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It is within an hour’s drive of beaches, mountains and deserts. For additional information about the university, please visit www.cpp.edu, and for more about faculty life, please see YourLife@CPP.

 Student Population. Cal Poly Pomona is the number one polytechnic university in the nation for student diversity and economic mobility. Our caring and inclusive campus community is committed to helping anyone who dreams of success achieve it. In Fall 2023, Cal Poly Pomona served more than 24,000 students and close to 2,000 graduate students, mostly residents of California. Over half of Cal Poly Pomona students are first-generation college students, 70% receive financial aid, and 42% are low-income students. The university enrolls 56% percent of historically underrepresented students. Our diverse student body identifies as 53% Hispanic/Latinx, 22% Asian, 13% White, 4% two or more races, 3% unknown, 3% African American/Black, 2% International, less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% Native American. Forty-three percent of students enroll in our STEM majors and our top five enrolled programs across the university include mechanical engineering, computer science, civil engineering, psychology, as well as finance, real estate, and law.  

Inclusive Excellence and Student Success. We aspire to be the model inclusive polytechnic university in the nation. We have a strong commitment to inclusive excellence and to educational experiences that leverage the diverse perspectives and experiences needed to succeed and thrive in a diverse society.

*As a part of the application for faculty positions, all candidates must submit a Student Success Statement that demonstrates their commitment and record of contributions to diversity and equity through their teaching, scholarship, or service by speaking to at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria below.

Candidates should explain how they have engaged in the criteria below in their pedagogy, scholarship, and/or service, as well as the level to which these efforts have been consistently incorporated into their work.

Inclusive Excellence Criteria:

1. Incorporates the contributions and struggles of historic ethnic minority groups or other disadvantaged communities into their teaching, scholarly work, and/or service contributions;
2. Adopts teaching strategies that support the learning and success of students from diverse student populations;
3. Mentors and engages diverse student populations in discovery, scholarship, and creative activities;
4. Engages students in problem-based projects and learning that address the needs of diverse communities;
5. Possesses knowledge of challenges and barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline and uses it to inform their work in specific ways;
6. Mentors and assists diverse student populations interested in pursuing graduate education;
7. Engages in community-responsive action research or service with diverse student populations and communities;
8. Has experience in or demonstrates a commitment to adopting experiential learning activities and pedagogy with diverse student populations and communities; and
9. Has expertise in or demonstrated commitment to teaching, scholarship and/or service that contributes to access, diversity, and equal opportunity in higher education.

College of Science:

The College’s mission is to educate, mentor, and inspire students through scientific inquiry and hands-on learning. It offers 15 undergraduate degree programs and six Master’s degrees across seven academic departments that include: Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Geological Sciences, Kinesiology & Health Promotion, Mathematics & Statistics, and Physics & Astronomy. Our Center for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (CEMaST) supports K-16 education locally and nationally to increase STEM success and participation for all. The College of Science has approximately 150 full-time faculty, 40 staff, and 4,400 active majors. Our commitment to the teacher-scholar model results in our college being the largest recipient of extramural grant funding on campus. We encourage a broad range of applicants who are committed to enhancing a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to an inclusive campus environment.

Department of Physics and Astronomy:

One of the largest physics and astronomy programs at a teaching-focused university in the United States, the Department dedicates its efforts to undergraduate education, encompassing classroom instruction, cutting-edge research, and professional advising and networking. Faculty maintain active research programs, reflecting a broad range of interests, that provide hands-on learning opportunities for undergraduates and have been successful at securing external funding. Areas of research focus include astrophysics, biophysics, relativity and quantum gravity, optics, and physics education research. The department boasts more than 150 majors and serves over 2,000 students each semester in multiple disciplines, the majority of whom are first-generation college students and/or members of underrepresented minority groups.  Department personnel include 13 tenured/tenure track faculty, more than 20 lecturers, and 5 support staff, representing a diverse and inclusive community committed to excellence in teaching and research. Our excellent benefits program includes start-up funds, a reduced teaching load during the first two years, as well as a generous retirement and pension program.  For more information, please see the department website.

Position description:

The Assistant Professor of Experimental Physics will teach undergraduate physics classes at all levels, including junior- and senior-level laboratory courses (e.g., optics, electronics, etc.) and establish a research program that involves undergraduate students in publishable research.  The position requires excellence in teaching and advising, professional and scholarly achievements, and a strong commitment to serving the university and its students.

Minimum requirements include:

• • Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Experimental Physics or a closely related field. (Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.)
  • Demonstrated ability and commitment to teach and develop junior- and senior-level physics laboratory courses.
  • Evidence of ongoing research in experimental physics or a closely related field, including peer-reviewed publications.
  • A plan for establishing an active experimental physics research program involving undergraduate students.
  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusivity and equity. Evidence should be provided in a Student Success Statement that responds to the prompt above - “Inclusive Excellence and Student Success”

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• • Experience as a postdoctoral researcher or visiting professor.
  • Classroom teaching experience, as an instructor or teaching assistant in a physics lecture class or laboratory.
  • Experience supervising undergraduate students in research.

Conditions of Employment:

The person offered this position is required to pass a background check.

Application Process:

A completed application will consist of

• • Cover letter in which you describe your interest in the position, relevant experience, and how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications;
  • A Student Success Statement (up to 2 pages, single-spaced) that responds to the prompt above - “Inclusive Excellence and Student Success” and addresses at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria listed (please indicate the criteria numbers in your Statement).
  • Curriculum vitae;
  • Statement of teaching experience and philosophy (2 pages maximum);
  • Statement of research interests and plans, outlining a program of research projects that can be accomplished with the participation of undergraduate students (3 pages maximum, including figures, data tables, and bibliography);
  • The names and contact information for at least three individuals who can serve as references;

Semifinalists for the position will:

• • be required to provide three letters of reference dated within the last two years;
  • be invited for a one-hour Zoom interview

Finalists for the position will:

• • be invited to an on-campus interview, during which they will be expected to present a seminar to faculty and students on their research experience and future plans, and separately interact with students as part of a teaching demonstration in a physics course.
  • be required to provide official transcripts for highest degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) before the on-campus interview;

Applications must be received by Monday, November 25, 2024. 

Please direct inquiries to the Search Committee Chair, Prof. Ertan Salik: esalik@cpp.edu.

Applications accepted only via PageUp—online application portal—for University hires.

Salary Range for academic year, nine-month appointment:  $90,000 -$94,800.

Equal Opportunity Employer

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The university seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of California, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing. Cal Poly Pomona subscribes to all state and federal regulations and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status. The university hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. As required by the Clery Disclosure Act, the university prepares a public annual security report.