Job description
Job Number: R0007216
Job Description
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Wellesley College invites applications for a full-time Assistant Teaching Professor of Physics starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. The primary responsibility for this non-tenure-track position is teaching, with secondary service and professional development expectations aligned with the Wellesley Organized Academic Workers – UAW (WOAW-UAW) Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Wellesley is a selective liberal arts college for women located 12 miles west of Boston. Our Physics and Astronomy Department has a long tradition of providing high-quality scientific training that prepares our students to succeed in top graduate programs in physics and a variety of other disciplines. Our physics and astronomy majors (~ 25 per year) constitute an engaged and dynamic group of students. We are committed to sustaining a community where all of our members feel welcomed, valued, and supported in achieving their goals.
We are seeking a colleague who can contribute in this liberal arts setting across the whole span of our physics curriculum. At the introductory level, this includes teaching classes studio-style, blending lectures, experimentation, and group problem-solving. At the intermediate level, in addition to lecture courses, we expect the successful candidate to contribute to labs including computation and optics/electronics. Upper-level classes include E&M, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Wellesley provides financial support for sustained professional development. Examples include conference travel and curriculum development funding.
Position Information:
- Teaching Load: 5 units per year
- Term of Appointment: this is an initial three-year term, with the possibility of renewal pending staffing, operational, curricular, and financial needs and by successfully meeting the criteria for evaluation and reappointment
- Start Date: Fall 2026
- Minimum Salary: $84,000
Application Deadline: March 9, 2026
We invite applications from candidates with a Ph.D. in physics or closely related field and a demonstrated record of physics teaching effectiveness at the college level.
Company Description and Benefits:
Wellesley’s mission is to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world. We advance our mission by working together as a community-faculty, students, staff, and alumnae. For those roles that are half-time or greater, we offer a comprehensive array of benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and a retirement savings plan. Benefits are governed by plan documents and eligibility provisions.
Wellesley College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals in hiring and advancement based on any legally protected status. Candidates who believe they can contribute to the College community are encouraged to apply.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
How to apply
Please review the details for the position before applying. When applying, please confirm your legal name is entered exactly as it appears on your government-issued identification. Ensure that you have the required documents ready to upload in either PDF (.pdf) or Word document (.doc) format. On the second page, enter your education, starting with your highest degree. Please upload your Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter, and any supplemental documents on the fourth page.
After submitting your application, you will be prompted to enter the contact information for two to three references. Please refer to the job description for the exact number of required references or any instructions regarding delayed submission. You may return to this section later if needed. Once your reference information is submitted, your contacts will receive an email with instructions on how to upload their reference letters.
For best consideration, we urge you to submit your reference contact information as soon as possible. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Applicants should submit a cover letter that directly addresses the qualifications described above, a curriculum vitae, evidence of teaching excellence such as teaching evaluations, sample syllabus and the email addresses of three references. Application materials should be submitted via https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/wellesley/wellesley-faculty. Questions about the position should be directed to the Chair, Kim McLeod, at [email protected].
This position is in a collective bargaining unit represented by Wellesley Organized Academic Workers – UAW (WOAW-UAW). To learn more please visit: WOAW-UAW website and current Collective Bargaining Agreement .
