Visiting Lecturer: Physics and Astronomy Department at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Job Description:

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT VISITING LECTURER OPENING, Full-time

Calvin University invites applications for a visiting, one-year, full-time lecturer position in the area of physics and astronomy, beginning in August 2023. This appointment is a non-tenure-track position.

 

REQUIREMENTS

The university seeks applicants with vibrant Christian faith who are dedicated to integration of that faith with their field of study.

 

Ideal candidates will hold a PhD in physics or astronomy or a related field. Candidates with a master's degree in physics or a related field and five years of relevant experience will also be considered.

 

Candidates are expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching a range of courses at the introductory undergraduate level. Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching using a variety of methods and instructional technology.

 

The university will prioritize candidates with broad interdisciplinary interests, demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ability to integrate questions of meaning, significance, and ethics into all course content, and deep commitment to engaging students beyond the classroom.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibility of this position will be teaching undergraduate courses. The teaching load will be 32 credit hours. There are no expectations of pursuing scholarship or serving on university-wide committees, but active participation in the department's faculty activities such as faculty meetings and departmental social events is expected and encouraged.  Candidates will be asked to affirm their commitment to the educational mission of Calvin University as a Christian liberal arts university in the Reformed tradition, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. (See Educating for Shalom and Faculty Expectations.) Candidates are expected to affirm the three creeds and three confessions of the Christian Reformed Church (Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort, and Belgic Confession). Calvin University provides numerous faculty development opportunities to foster growth in these commitments.

 

ABOUT THE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY PROGRAM

Calvin has a long tradition of excellence, with over 70 of our graduates going on to earn doctorates in physics or astronomy at institutions including the University of Michigan, University of Chicago, Cornell University and Harvard University.  Distinguished graduates include Alex Dragt, professor emeritus at the University of Maryland and recent winner of the Wilson prize from the APS, as well as anti-matter researcher Gerald Gabrielse,  past chair of the physics department at Harvard University.   This strong tradition continues, with graduates from the last two years matriculating in doctoral programs at institutions including Notre Dame,  University of Maryland, University of Tokyo and Northwestern University.

 

ABOUT CALVIN UNIVERSITY

Calvin University is a top-ranked national university that equips students to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ's agents of renewal in the world. Approximately 3,000 Calvin students study the liberal arts and select from a broad range of majors and professional programs. The university is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a thriving metropolitan region of approximately one million people situated equidistant from Chicago and Detroit. Furthermore, the West Michigan region is ranked by Forbes as the #1 place to raise a family. For more information, please visit http://www.calvin.edu/go/facultyopenings.

 

Calvin is building a tradition of diversity and accessibility and welcomes applications from persons whose personal characteristics will further that commitment. Calvin does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex, or age. Calvin University is an educational agency of the Christian Reformed Church and, in compliance with Title VII and other applicable law, reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religion.

 

TO APPLY

Complete the online application process and attach the following:

• Letter of application that addresses the requirements and responsibilities of the position, including your interest in teaching at a Reformed Christian University


• A separate, original, written statement (250-500 words) addressing the following topics:
  
  
  
  • description and affirmation of your Christian faith
  
  
  • description of how you envision that faith will influence your work as a faculty member at Calvin University
  
  
  • confirmation of your support of the stated mission of Calvin University as a Reformed institution
  
  
  
  


• Full curriculum vitae


• 3 letters of recommendation speaking to your potential as an instructor


• Students teaching evaluations (if available)

 

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Email department chair, Paul Harper, at paul.harper@calvin.edu with questions.

 

 

FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.  

2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.

 

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.

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