How to Apply

The position is interdependent with posting JO#279013- Director of Advanced Physics Instructional Laboratories. The Director provides pedagogical and instructional support for the department's Intermediate and Advanced Lab courses throughout the academic year.   You must apply for both position postings and be qualified for both in order to be considered as a candidate. Please see Job Posting 279013, which describes the Director position, for the specific application requirements for that position.

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and experiences as they relate to this position.

Who We Are

The Physics Department's mission is to advance the university's goals and ideals through incisive education, lasting contributions to human understanding, and the shared excitement of scientific discovery. Our Intermediate Laboratories provide an introduction to measurements in quantum physics through a series of experiments in Modern Physics. We have recently added an Instrumentation Laboratory class. Our Advanced Laboratories have a large collection of in-depth experiments in the core fields of experimental physics, as detailed below under Experimental Scope.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Job Summary

The Department of Physics seeks an experienced director for our Intermediate and Advanced Physics Instructional Laboratories. While this position does not typically serve as the instructor of record for labs, it comes with instructional responsibilities. These include:   

• Teacher Training: You will train new faculty and graduate student instructors on how to use the lab equipment and explain its limitations.
• Co-Teaching: You will be in the classroom, co-teaching lab sections and serving as a backup instructor when needed.
• Pedagogical Development: You will research and implement new teaching methods and technologies to keep the curriculum modern (e.g., through participation in ALPHa and/or AAPT). 

Classes utilize a substantial catalog of specialized experiments, including in the areas of atomic & optical physics, nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, condensed matter & chaos, electronics and instrumentation.

This position works closely with the faculty who teach in the intermediate and advanced labs and receives significant academic and technical guidance from the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Programs, Tom Schwarz. 

All work is performed on-site at the Ann Arbor campus. Hybrid and remote work modes are not available during the academic year. Limited remote work opportunities are available between May 1st and July 31st.

Required Qualifications*

• Doctorate in field of expertise or Master's plus equivalent experience. 
• 6+ years of related experience
• Advanced data management and programming skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage an instructional laboratory in a Physics Department, blending deep scientific and pedagogical expertise with strategic oversight of regulatory compliance and experience managing operational budgets. 
• Proficiency in electronics design, vacuum systems, and cryogenics
• Expertise in graphical or script-based laboratory automation environments (e.g., LabVIEW, Python, C++), particularly for data acquisition and instrument control
• Sufficient background in nuclear physics to qualify for and maintain status as Authorized User of Radioisotopes under the University federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission license, and secure and maintain State licenses for x-ray generating devices in the laboratory
• Excellent communication skills

Desired Qualifications*

• Working knowledge of hardware programming languages such as SystemVerilog and VHDL
• Prior participation in ALPHa and AAPT
• Familiarity with U.S. higher education instructional environments, including laboratory safety, student support, and course administration practices.
• May require management experience of professional and support staff.

Modes of Work

Hybrid and remote work modes are not available during the academic year. Limited remote work opportunities, typically one day per week, are available between May 1st and July 31st.

Additional Information

As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.