Contact: gmtsps[AT]rit.eduLocation: Rochester, NY, USA
School Head of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
Detailed Job Description
The School of Physics and Astronomy (SoPA) in the College of Science (COS) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is inviting applications for the position of Professor and School Head. RIT seeks a visionary and proven dynamic leader to serve as the Head of SoPA who will work with the faculty to implement a shared vision for the future of the School. As the chief academic, fiscal, and administrative officer of the School, the Head provides leadership, advocacy, oversight, and management. The Head is responsible for overseeing academic, student, faculty, and staff affairs, for leading the operational activities of the School, and for helping to facilitate the research, scholarship, teaching, and service/outreach activities of its members. The Head will work closely with the leadership team in COS on strategic planning and interdisciplinary initiatives, and will coordinate the development of a multi-year strategic plan for SoPA to complement those at the College and Institute levels. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Overseeing and continually improving the SoPA undergraduate and graduate program;
Promoting research, scholarship and professional development;
Encouraging discovery, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning opportunities for faculty, staff, and students;
Fostering SoPA participation in interdisciplinary projects and programs, internally and externally;
Fostering excellence in teaching quality and methodology;
Recruiting and retaining top-tier faculty who are aligned with the strategic plans of SoPA, COS, and RIT;
Supporting and advocating for faculty, staff, and students at all levels;
Cultivating existing and prospective donors and research partners; and
Effectively and equitably managing SoPA financial resources, faculty and staff plans of work, and space and facilities.
The successful candidate will be appointed with tenure at a faculty rank commensurate with previous experience, abilities, and qualities of leadership. SoPA Head appointments have five-year terms. The appointment as School Head is that of an employee at will, and continues at the sole discretion of the COS Dean.
We are seeking an individual who has the ability and interest in contributing to a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect, diversity and pluralism; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT’s core values, honor code, and statement of diversity.
Learn more about our excellent benefits, including tuition benefits, by visiting https://www.rit.edu/humanresources/regular-employee-benefits.
Department/College Description
The School of Physics and Astronomy consists of 37 full-time faculty, 10 postdocs, 190 undergraduate physics majors, and 70 graduate students. The School offers BS, MS, and PhD programs in Physics, as well as PhD/MS programs in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology. Faculty in the School currently also contribute to graduate programs in Materials Science & Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Sustainability, Imaging Science, Mathematical Modeling, and Applied & Computational Mathematics. Information about the RIT School of Physics and Astronomy can be found at https://www.rit.edu/science/school-physics-and-astronomy.
The College of Science leads six of RIT’s major research centers, namely, the Center for Advancing Scholarship to Transform Learning, the Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation, the NanoPower Research Laboratory, the Laboratory for Multiwavelength Astrophysics, the Center for Detectors, and the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory. Currently, RIT has identified five Signature Research Areas, and the College of Science leads three of them, i.e., the Future Photon Initiative, Frontiers in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, and Unmanned Aerial Systems. College of Science faculty also collaborate with the Center for Human-aware AI and the Computational Linguistics and Speech Processing Lab.
Required Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have a distinguished record of teaching and research. Required minimum qualifications: We seek an individual who is committed to the principles expressed in RIT’s core values, honor code, and statement of diversity. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to facilitate and encourage collaboration across academic disciplines, to effectively manage a diverse body of faculty and staff with a variety of work plans, and to foster a broad faculty research portfolio. Qualifications consistent with the rank of tenured professor and the expectations for the Head of SoPA include:
An earned doctorate in physics or related academic discipline;
Significant leadership and administrative experience;
A significant record of peer-reviewed scholarship and external funding;
Evidence of ability to contribute to the university’s commitment to cultural diversity, pluralism, and individual differences;
Evidence of teaching excellence and a commitment to undergraduate and graduate education.
Anticipated Start Date
01-Jul-2025
Required Application DocumentsCover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, Research Statement, Statement of Diversity Contribution, Statement of Teaching Philosophy
How To Apply
Apply online at http://careers.rit.edu/faculty; search openings, then Keyword Search 9280BR. Please submit your application online. The submitted materials should include a cover letter addressing the listed qualifications, a detailed curriculum vitae, and upload the following attachments:
A Vision and Leadership Statement that expresses your vision as prospective Head for the School of Physics and Astronomy, and that discusses your leadership and management principles, including the strengthening of existing school-wide initiatives and the enhancement of scholarship and teaching.
A Research Statement that provides: an overview of recent research products (including the applicant’s role), an overview of externally funded research, any proposed plans for an externally funded research enterprise, with an overview of research needs (e.g., major equipment, infrastructure), and your record and approach to training, mentorship, and support of research students of various levels.
A Teaching Statement that: discusses your teaching philosophy and pedagogical approach(es); previous teaching experiences and/or courses you would like to develop, existing courses you would like to teach; and articulates your specific interests or goals for teaching, curriculum development, or program development.
A Contribution to Diversity Statement that articulates your past contributions and future goals to contribute to personal and institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your teaching, scholarship, and service.
Candidacy will be kept confidential until the candidate accepts an invitation for an interview, at which time a list of references will be required. Final salary is negotiable and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Any questions regarding the position should be addressed to Dr. George Thurston (gmtsps[AT]rit.edu) and Dr. Jan van Aardt (jvacis[AT]rit.edu) via email. Please use ‘Attention: SoPA Head Search’ in so doing.
The committee will begin to review complete applications upon receipt, however, to ensure full consideration applications must be received by December 1, 2024. It is expected that the new Head will assume the position no later than July 1, 2025.