Location: School of Engineering and Physics
Hours: Full-Time, Salary
Pay: Commensurate with experience and level of educational achievement per Southern Adventist University's faculty salary structure. Benefits include health insurance, a professional growth allowance, and tuition assistance for dependents.
Start Date: August 2026 or January 2027
Job Summary: Southern Adventist University seeks a full-time teaching faculty member in physics, at the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor through full Professor for face-to-face classroom instruction on the campus in Collegedale, TN. We are building the future of physics and engineering at Southern, and we seek a colleague who will boost our momentum. We seek a colleague who will facilitate learning that integrates a Christian biblical worldview and Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, fostering student engagement, spiritual growth, and professional formation.
Characteristics:
- A desire to help shape and advance a shared vision for the future of physics at Southern.
- A disciple of Jesus, called to disciple students professionally and personally and able to respond to student frustrations with tact and compassion
- A collaborative life-long learner, able to accept and offer constructive feedback; Servant leadership attitude, fostering a supportive and collegial environment within the School and across the University
- Articulate integration of biblical foundations in the practice and teaching of physics
- Clear, effective, timely, and compassionate oral and written communication in English
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated interest in curriculum development or program building
- Masters degree in physics or physics education research, Ph.D. preferred
- Recent artifacts of leading student research
- Evidence of effective undergraduate teaching preferred
- Must be authorized to work in the US
Duties/Essential Functions
Teaching/Academic
- Develop and teach undergraduate physics courses at all levels, including laboratory and computational (and possibly online) components
- Support engineering courses within the faculty member's areas of qualification, include some engineering students in research
- Develop innovative course materials prepared and delivered in an organized manner.
- Maintain accurate course records (grades, syllabi, attendance) with timely student feedback.
- Establish and sustain a research program engaging undergraduate students; pursue professional and scholarly engagement appropriate to a teaching-focused institution (e.g., conference presentations, peer collaboration).
- Assistant professors are expected to teach a summer physics course as needed
Student
- Provide academic, career, and spiritual advising to assigned students; maintain regular office hours for student accessibility and support.
- Sponsor student attendance and presentations at professional conferences.
- Serve as sponsor or co-sponsor for student clubs or organizations.
- Nurture students' spiritual and professional growth, guiding them toward God's calling in science and society.
Other
- Nurture a culture of collaboration within the School of Engineering and Physics and across the university through meaningful service on departmental and university committees.
- Positively contribute to the spiritual tenor, collegiality, and mission of the School of Engineering and Physics and the university
- Engage in service to your church, your community, and your profession
- Other duties as assigned.
Special Requirements: Must have strongly expressed commitment to Jesus Christ and the teachings and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, be an active SDA church member and desire to serve.
Application Process: Interested candidates are encouraged to begin by emailing a CV and any inquiry questions to laing@southern.edu. To be considered, applicants must apply through the online portal at www.southern.edu/hr. Submit:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy, including integration of biblical principles and Seventh-day Adventist faith
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., sample syllabi or student evaluations)
- Names and contact information for three professional references
- Completed application
- Review of applications will begin May 11, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.