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Lecturer - Physics - Department of Physics

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Position description

The Department of Physics at UC Berkeley invites applications for a pool of part-time, non-tenure track lecturer positions. Screening of applicants begins immediately and will continue as needed. Applicants will be selected from this pool for two calendar years; some appointments may begin in the 2014 fall semester. The number of positions varies from semester to semester, depending upon the needs of the Department. Positions typically start at the beginning of the semester, and appointments may be renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

Teaching Responsibilities:
We are seeking outstanding lecturers who can teach the following small, medium and large size seminar and/or laboratory courses:
• PHYSICS 7A/B/C: Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Description: (7A) Mechanics and wave motion; (7B) Heat, electricity, and magnetism; (7C) Electromagnetic waves, optics, relativity, and quantum physics.
• PHYSICS 8A/B: Introductory Physics
Description: (8A) Introduction to forces, kinetics, equilibria, fluids, waves, and heat; (8B) Introduction to electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, optics, and modern physics. The course presents concepts and methodologies for understanding physical phenomena, and is particularly useful preparation for upper division study in biology and architecture.
• PHYSICS 105: Analytic Mechanics
Description: Newtonian mechanics, motion of a particle in one, two, and three dimensions, Larange's equations, Hamilton's equations, central force motion, moving coordinate systems, mechanics of continuous media, oscillations, normal modes, rigid body dynamics, tensor analysis techniques.
• PHYSICS 110: Electromagnetism and Optics
Description: A course emphasizing electromagnetic theory and applications; charges and currents; electric and magnetic fields; dielectric, conducting, and magnetic media; relativity, Maxwell equations. Wave propagation in media, radiation and scattering, Fourier optics, interference and diffraction, ray optics and applications.
• PHYSICS 112: Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics
Description: Basic concepts of statistical mechanics, microscopic basis of thermodynamics and applications to macroscopic systems, condensed states, phase transformations, quantum distributions, elementary kinetic theory of transport processes, fluctuation phenomena.
• PHYSICS 137 A/B: Quantum Physics
Description: Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.

General Duties:
In addition to teaching responsibilities, general duties include holding office hours, assigning grades, advising students, preparing course materials (e.g., syllabus), writing exams, managing GSIs, and maintaining a course website.

Qualifications:
The minimum qualification required to be considered an applicant for the position is the completion of all degree requirements, except the dissertation. Additional qualification is Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Physics, Astrophysics or a related field before the appointment start date. Documented experience in teaching Physics, Astrophysics, or a related field at the college level.

Salary:
Minimum annual full-time salary rate of $47,584; salary to be commensurate with experience. Some credit given to prior college-level teaching experience (not including graduate student or summer session teaching).

All letters of reference will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third part, (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality (http://apo.chance.berkeley.edu/evalltr.html) prior to submitting their letters.

The initial review date for submissions for 2014 fall semester instructor candidates will be May 12, 2014, please apply by this date to receive full consideration for fall 2014 teaching needs. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed for future needs, through April 8, 2016. We typically review applications for fall course needs in April and May, and in October and November for spring courses. If you wish to remain in the pool after April 8, 2016, you will need to reapply. Email questions to brianu@berkeley.edu.

The Department of Physics seeks candidates whose teaching, research, or service has prepared them to contribute to diversity and inclusion in higher education.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter - Cover Letter highlighting the course(s) of interest

  • Statement of Teaching Experience - Detailed description of relevant teaching experience

  • Teaching Verification Documentation - Documents verifying experience in teaching Physics, Astrophysics or a related field at the college level

Reference requirements
  • 0-3 required (contact information only)