Engineering/Physics Visiting Assistant Professor

About Augustana College:

Augustana College is a private, selective, residential liberal arts and sciences college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. Our scenic 115-acre campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area along the Mississippi River, about 165 miles west of Chicago. The Quad Cities region has a population of approximately 450,000.

Augustana offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in nearly 100 majors and related academic programs, as well as a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Our student body includes 25% first-generation college students, 24% Pell Grant recipients, 24% students of color, and 20% international students. Strengthening our inclusive and welcoming community is central to the college’s mission and strategic plan.

We seek candidates who are committed to fostering academically challenging, inclusive, and high-impact learning environments that support and engage a diverse student body.

Job Description:

Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, invites applications for a visiting faculty position in the Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy Department in an Engineering or Physics field beginning in August of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Our new colleague will join a growing Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy program that includes Physics, Engineering-Physics, Teaching Physics, and a B.S. in General Engineering. The successful candidate will teach 24 credits per 10-month academic year (standard courses are 4 credits), teaching assignments would likely include courses in mechanical engineering and/or introductory physics. The candidate is encouraged to contribute specialty courses related to their sub-field (particularly those that may be interdisciplinary) as well as contribute to the general education program. If the candidate desires, there is departmental support for mentoring research.

The candidate will join an active, eight-member department with disciplinary interests in thermal fluids, environmental fluid dynamics, 3D printing and design, signal processing, quantum photonics, nuclear physics, planetary and stellar magnetic fields, observational astronomy, physics education, and planetarium directing. The department houses research spaces for environmental fluid dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, nuclear physics, and quantum photonics. The department has a newly designed Maker Space with 3D printers, a laser cutter, a scanning electron microscope, CNC mill, and welding station. Instructional spaces include a newly renovated electronics lab, design lab, and studio physics teaching spaces. All faculty at Augustana are invited to engage in professional development and mentoring opportunities consistent with their needs throughout their appointment at the college. The department is committed to supporting candidates' professional development in research and teaching.

Appointment will be at the rank of visiting instructor or visiting assistant professor, depending on whether a terminal degree is completed.

No research or campus service is required in this position. However, visiting faculty are encouraged to engage in departmental and college life beyond teaching. All faculty at Augustana College are invited to participate in professional development and mentoring opportunities consistent with their needs throughout their appointment.

What We’re Looking For:

Preference will be given to candidates who will have completed their Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field by the time of appointment, although ABD candidates will also be considered. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate teaching effectiveness, a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the value of a broadly educated person, a commitment to fostering equity and inclusion, the ability to work with students in and out of the classroom, and an investment in supporting the work of colleagues. Experience and interest in working with students and community members of many backgrounds will be an asset for applicants.

Application Instructions:

A complete application includes the following materials:

a cover letter expressing interest in and understanding of teaching in a liberal arts setting,

a curriculum vitae,

a copy of your graduate transcript,

and a statement of teaching philosophy.

Questions may be directed to the chair of the department, Nathan Frank at nathanfrank@augustana.edu. To guarantee full consideration, please submit all materials by March 16th. The position will remain open until filled.

The budgeted compensation for this position ranges from $43,000 to $46,000 per year based upon minimum and preferred qualifications, education, experience, skills, and abilities. Actual placement within the range will depend upon experience, education, research, rank, and other relevant factors.

Additional Information:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. In particular, applicants who require the H-1B visa cannot be considered, and applicants who require sponsorship for visas other than

the H-1B visa will be required to pay all costs associated with visa applications.

Augustana College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.