Assistant Professor of Instruction

Department: WCAS Physics & Astronomy Assistant Professor of Instruction Department of Physics & Astronomy Northwestern University Northwestern University’s Department of Physics & Astronomy invites applications for a full-time, benefits eligible, multi-year, non-tenure eligible faculty appointment as Assistant Professor of Instruction, beginning September 1, 2027.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated excellence in teaching and have experience working with diverse student populations. A standard teaching assignment is six one-quarter courses per academic year with possible reductions for administrative and other duties.

Minimum qualifications

include a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field, which must be conferred before September 1, 2027. Applicants should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, teaching portfolio (including a teaching statement, course syllabi, and student evaluations), and three letters of recommendation which must address teaching.

Applications should be submitted online through the department website at: https://physics.northwestern.edu/ . Letters of recommendation can be submitted online or sent directly to the attention of Margaret Mersch, Director of Operations, at mmersch@northwestern.edu . General questions may be addressed to Margaret Mersch at the same address.

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026. Salary The expected base pay range for this position is $80,000 - $95,000. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment, does not include summer salary, and is subject to negotiation. Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position.

The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs.

For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at Northwestern Benefits to learn more. Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page: Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below). Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.

Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf. All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the “Submit” button.

Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved. Applications accepted here: Apply for Job Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.

View additional information on the accommodations process .