Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community.

UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. The successful candidate is expected to foster an inclusive work culture where uniqueness of beliefs, backgrounds, talents, capabilities and ways of living are respected and welcomed.

The University of North Carolina Asheville Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor in Physics and Astronomy to begin Fall 2025.

The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or a related discipline prior to July 1, 2025, and have demonstrated teaching skills. Teaching duties will include 12 contact hours per semester, primarily including introductory or intermediate astronomy courses and their associated laboratories, but with opportunities to teach across the departmental and university curriculum. This is a one year position.

UNC Asheville is a leading public liberal arts and sciences institution with a deep commitment to teaching. It is the designated liberal arts and sciences university of the UNC system and is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. The faculty at UNC Asheville teach across our required interdisciplinary core curriculum, in courses that include first-year seminars; courses that engage scientific perspectives, and a capstone course that demonstrates the relevance of the liberal arts on contemporary issues.

Furthermore, UNCA has been and continues to be a national leader in undergraduate research. Over 67% of our students graduate each year having been engaged in this important learning experience, and the University embraces the mentoring of undergraduate research as one of the highest forms of teaching.
This commitment makes it essential for all faculty to be engaged in the pedagogical trends of their disciplines, and this is demonstrated in the outstanding research and scholarship produced by the faculty.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach 4 courses (12 contact hours typically made up of 1-2 courses and 2-3 laboratory sections) per semester. As a one year position, the candidate will be able to work with the department chair to find one or more other ways they can enrich the department while simultaneously advancing the candidate's career goals. Opportunities include: designing and teaching courses across physics and astronomy curriculum including upper division courses; coordinating outreach activities at our campus observatory; and/or pursuing research involving undergraduate mentees.
Individuals with a passion for undergraduate teaching and interest in a career at an institution focused on the liberal arts are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be excited to engage a diverse community of learners, including first-generation college students and students from
under-represented groups and/or under-resourced high schools, through varied, innovative, and student-focused pedagogies.

Applicants should submit the following electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu:

●Cover Letter addressing your interest in this position, the ways your experiences and values align with our institution's mission, your teaching philosophy, and a description of your scholarly interests potentially including how they might connect to undergraduate research opportunities or enrich the academic goals of the department.
●Curriculum Vitae
●References: Names and contact information for three references from whom we will request letters of reference to be sent separately; these references should address your written, verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop and maintain a successful research program.
 
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries should be directed to James Perkins (jperkins@unca.edu), Chair of Physics and Astronomy.

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, and ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.

A Ph.D. (preferred) in Physics, Astronomy, or a related field is required. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that he or she has the ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; bring diverse and multidisciplinary perspectives into the classroom; and function professionally in a highly collaborative and increasingly diverse organization.

UNC Asheville is committed to equality and diversity of experiences for our students, applicants and employees. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, and ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and will not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.