Instructor: Undergraduate Physics Laboratory Manager

Position Details

Position Information

Department Physics (SPH)

Position Title Instructor

Job Title Instructor: Undergraduate Physics Laboratory Manager

Appointment Type Academic Faculty

Job Location Corvallis

Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option?

Job Summary

The Department of Science invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, fixed-term Instructor position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

Appointment at the Instructor rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.

The Department of Physics invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE ),12-month, fixed term, Instructor position to supervise and manage the department’s undergraduate physics laboratories. The ideal candidate will join a thriving, cohesive, award-winning physics department that deeply values undergraduate education and is committed to evidence-based instructional practices. The successful candidate will supervise, maintain and safely operate lower division laboratories, perform teaching, develop curriculum, maintain professional currency, and perform service.

This position is primarily responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the physics teaching laboratories. These responsibilities include coordinating, planning, and making decisions that affect the department mission of offering undergraduate physics courses to thousands of students each year as a positive and safe experience. This position also supervises graduate and undergraduate student TAs, and may include teaching and laboratory curriculum development.

The primary mission of the Department of Physics is to provide undergraduate and graduate education, and conduct basic and applied research. The department offers Doctoral, Masters and Bachelors degrees in Physics. There are research programs in astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, optical physics, physics education, and quantum cosmology. The department has 27 faculty members, approximately 180 majors, and almost 60 graduate students. Through this position, the Department is looking to enhance its introductory physics courses, both online and on campus.

The College of Science has committed to being a national model of inclusivity and collaboration as evidenced by, among other features, a community of faculty, students, and staff that is increasingly collaborative, diverse, and centered on student success. We seek faculty who will broaden our capacity to advance student success across individual identities, racial/ethnic categories and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS :

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100 undergraduate degree programs, 80 graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about
  
  

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
  
  

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

Management of Undergraduate Physics Laboratories: 40%

Direct the operations and development of undergraduate laboratories including:

• Maintain and operate instructional laboratories, including weekly laboratory setups for introductory courses.
• Recruit, supervise and manage undergraduate and graduate student employees with laboratory- and department-related duties.
• Maintain and develop laboratory equipment, as needed.
• Evaluate and purchase suitable laboratory equipment in cooperation with Physics academic leadership.
  
  

Teaching, Advising, and Other Instructional Assignments : 50%

• Teach laboratories and other physics courses and seminars as assigned in keeping with the highest professional standards and following best practices for diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion.
• In collaboration with faculty, maintain laboratory manuals, safety manuals, lab instructional guides, lab curriculum, and related materials for introductory physics and astronomy courses.
• Work collaboratively with faculty on other laboratory-related curriculum and instructional equipment needs for upper-level physics courses, particularly the Paradigms in Physics courses.
• Supervise graduate teaching assistants, including weekly training sessions.
• Participate in Fall Graduate Student Orientation as needed.
• Maintain a library of physics demonstrations and associated pedagogical materials.
• Assist faculty in selecting and presenting effective demonstrations.
• Design and build new physics demonstrations and develop associated pedagogical materials.
• Assist faculty with departmental outreach activities as needed.
• Maintain the the physics tutoring center (“Wormhole”) and associated software and hardware.
• Schedule and manage graduate and undergraduate student Wormhole Assistants and other support staff.
• Collect and analyze statistics on Wormhole usage.
• Serve as physics liaison to Library committees related to the Wormhole
  
  

Service : 10%

• Assist with department maintenance on a limited basis.
• Service to the department, college, university, and the profession related to instruction or as assigned.
• Participate in training and professional development to maintain a current knowledge of best practices in lab management, demonstration support, teaching, mentoring, interacting with students, and being a supportive member of the physics community.
• Serve in department, college, and university level committees, centers, and programs with the goal of improving diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion.
  
  

Not every activity in a category is necessary every term. The percentage efforts noted represent a reasonable expectation of the effort spent by a faculty member during the academic year.

What You Will Need

• Master’s degree in Physics or related field (for example, Electrical Engineering, Astrophysics, Geophysics, Applied Mathematics) by the start of the appointment.
• Experience in setup, operation, maintenance, construction and repair of laboratory and demonstration equipment.
• Experience with or demonstrated potential for teaching Physics at the college or university level. This can include service as a teaching assistant and/or formal training in pedagogy at the college/university level.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in written and oral communication.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment for faculty, staff, and students
• Demonstrated computer literacy including facility with computer operating systems and applications.
  
  

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Doctoral degree in Physics or related field.
• Experience managing projects and/or supervising subordinates (e.g., training, scheduling, performance observation).
• Previous college/university classroom experience.
• Experience developing laboratory and/or classroom curriculum.
• Experience in using tools such as Canvas and Gradescope and designing online resources.
• Experience designing and/or repairing mechanical and electronic equipment.
• Experience designing and maintaining physics demonstrations.
• Familiarity with software development environments such as python.
• Familiarity with standard machine shop tools.
• Experience preparing and submitting grants, seeking funding, or working with external partners.
  
  

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

This position is located onsite in Corvallis, OR. Occasional evening and weekend work or travel may be required. Duties can require working with a variety of equipment including chemicals, heavy or bulky items, and radioactive materials. Will be expected to complete and stay up-to-date in various safety training and to follow proper safety procedures.

Pay Method Salary

Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month

Pay Date Last working day of the month

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $75,000 minimum with higher salary negotiable commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

Link To Position Description

https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/175015

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number P09598UF

Number of Vacancies 1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 06/01/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date 12/10/2025

Full Consideration Date 01/19/2026

Closing Date 01/21/2026

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by January 19, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

• A resume/CV: Please make sure that shows your experience with the following: labs, demonstrations, lab equipment, teaching, and mentoring ; and
• A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position position and how they are aligned with the required and preferred qualifications, including running labs, curriculum development, managing people, and development software .
  
  

Letters of Reference will be requested on finalists only. When applying, you will be asked to provide the email address and telephone number for 3 referees who will be sent a secure quicklink that will allow them to upload the requested letters of reference on your behalf.

For additional information please contact:

David Craig

david.a.craig@oregonstate.edu

(541) 737-4789

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu .