Visiting Assistant Professor or Instructor of Physics
Carleton, Northfield, MN, United States
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Carleton College anticipates hiring a visiting faculty member for the 2026-27 academic year, beginning in September of 2026. We seek individuals who have a PhD (or are nearing the completion of their PhD) in physics or a closely related field with a strong commitment to teaching in a liberal-arts environment. The positions will include teaching a combination of courses across our curriculum such as courses in the introductory physics sequence for both majors and non-majors, introductory astronomy, intermediate lab courses (e.g., Electricity & Magnetism), and upper-level labs and electives.
Members of groups traditionally underrepresented in physics and astronomy, including those with non-traditional career paths, are strongly encouraged to apply.Our Institution:
Carleton is a highly selective liberal arts college with a student body of approximately 2,000. Located in the thriving two-college town of Northfield, Minnesota, it is forty-five miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, in easy reach of a vibrant metropolitan area that is home to three million people and rich cultural resources. We are located a similar distance from Rochester, home of the Mayo Clinic.
Our campus includes an 800-acre arboretum, and the region contains a network of state parks, lakes, and trails.
Information about Carleton, Northfield, and the Twin Cities is available at .Our : * Who we are: We are eight faculty members and four staff members. Annually, we graduate 14-30 majors, and about 10% of the students on campus take introductory courses with us.* Facilities we have: We have recently built or updated our well-equipped and modern teaching spaces, research labs, a computational research suite, an , and a .
has both historic and modern optical telescopes for curricular and co-curricular use.Things you will do:* Teach six courses in physics and/or astronomy distributed across Carleton’s three trimesters.
Lab sections count as a half course.* Participate as an active member of the department (e.g., attend department meetings).Integrated within all that you do:* Help cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We strive to foster an environment where all people can be themselves, build community, learn, and grow.Things you can choose to do:* Engage in outreach, including with the* Research, including with studentsHow we will support you:The expected starting salary range for this position is between $73,800 - $78,690.
Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility. Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including:* A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution* Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance* Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employeesThe
provides teaching professional development.
Modest internal funding is available to support scholarly activity, e.g. conference travel. To apply, submit
():* Cover letter - describing why *this particular position* is of interest to *you*.* Teaching statement - (2-3 pages) describing your approach to teaching discussing ideas or techniques you would like to pursue or have tried in prior teaching experiences including TAing or tutoring. Address how these engage a student body with broad diversity including preparation, career interests, identities, and the intersections between them.* CVAfter passing through an initial screening process, applicants may receive a request for the contact information for three references who can speak to their abilities in teaching and collaborative engagement.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with review of applications anticipated to begin on February 15th 2026.
Direct questions to Jay Tasson, Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, jtasson@carleton.edu.Carleton College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or age in providing employment or access to its educational facilities and activities.
Carleton is committed to developing its faculty to better reflect the breadth of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups at Carleton are strongly encouraged to apply. is committed to providing a true liberal arts education—a curriculum that challenges our students to learn broadly and think deeply. Instead of training for one narrow career path, Carleton students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in any walk of life.
Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of
Nationally recognized as the nation’s top college for undergraduate teaching, Carleton is known for its academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and sense of humor. Carleton offers
in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences.
At Carleton, faculty and staff members work together across departments to create a seamless and supportive environment for students.
Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.Carleton College prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at our
page.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Members of groups traditionally underrepresented in physics and astronomy, including those with non-traditional career paths, are strongly encouraged to apply.Our Institution:
Carleton is a highly selective liberal arts college with a student body of approximately 2,000. Located in the thriving two-college town of Northfield, Minnesota, it is forty-five miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, in easy reach of a vibrant metropolitan area that is home to three million people and rich cultural resources. We are located a similar distance from Rochester, home of the Mayo Clinic.
Our campus includes an 800-acre arboretum, and the region contains a network of state parks, lakes, and trails.
Information about Carleton, Northfield, and the Twin Cities is available at .Our : * Who we are: We are eight faculty members and four staff members. Annually, we graduate 14-30 majors, and about 10% of the students on campus take introductory courses with us.* Facilities we have: We have recently built or updated our well-equipped and modern teaching spaces, research labs, a computational research suite, an , and a .
has both historic and modern optical telescopes for curricular and co-curricular use.Things you will do:* Teach six courses in physics and/or astronomy distributed across Carleton’s three trimesters.
Lab sections count as a half course.* Participate as an active member of the department (e.g., attend department meetings).Integrated within all that you do:* Help cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We strive to foster an environment where all people can be themselves, build community, learn, and grow.Things you can choose to do:* Engage in outreach, including with the* Research, including with studentsHow we will support you:The expected starting salary range for this position is between $73,800 - $78,690.
Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility. Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including:* A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution* Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance* Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employeesThe
provides teaching professional development.
Modest internal funding is available to support scholarly activity, e.g. conference travel. To apply, submit
():* Cover letter - describing why *this particular position* is of interest to *you*.* Teaching statement - (2-3 pages) describing your approach to teaching discussing ideas or techniques you would like to pursue or have tried in prior teaching experiences including TAing or tutoring. Address how these engage a student body with broad diversity including preparation, career interests, identities, and the intersections between them.* CVAfter passing through an initial screening process, applicants may receive a request for the contact information for three references who can speak to their abilities in teaching and collaborative engagement.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with review of applications anticipated to begin on February 15th 2026.
Direct questions to Jay Tasson, Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, jtasson@carleton.edu.Carleton College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or age in providing employment or access to its educational facilities and activities.
Carleton is committed to developing its faculty to better reflect the breadth of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups at Carleton are strongly encouraged to apply. is committed to providing a true liberal arts education—a curriculum that challenges our students to learn broadly and think deeply. Instead of training for one narrow career path, Carleton students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in any walk of life.
Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of
Nationally recognized as the nation’s top college for undergraduate teaching, Carleton is known for its academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and sense of humor. Carleton offers
in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences.
At Carleton, faculty and staff members work together across departments to create a seamless and supportive environment for students.
Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.Carleton College prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at our
page.
#J-18808-Ljbffr