Assistant Professor of Teaching - Physics and Astronomy

Job Title
Assistant Professor of Teaching - Physics and Astronomy

Job Category
Faculty Bargaining

Job Family Group
Academic

Department
Faculty | Department of Physics and Astronomy | Faculty of Science (Jeremy Heyl)

Job End Date
Ongoing

Posting End Date
December 14, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Salary range for this position is $145,000 - $165,000.

Full-time Assistant Professor of Teaching Position - Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver seeks applications from qualified candidates for a tenure-track position in the Educational Leadership stream at the rank of Assistant Professor of Teaching. The anticipated start date of the position is 1 July 2027, with an expected salary within the range of $145,000 to $165,000 per year. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

UBC defines Educational Leadership (EL) as "an activity taken at UBC and elsewhere to advance innovation in teaching and learning with impact beyond one's classroom." As an EL faculty member in addition to teaching and service to the Department, there is an expectation that a portion of your role is to focus on the systematic enhancement, innovation and evaluation of teaching practice and how it supports student learning, and to share what you learn with colleagues. To support you in this work, UBC offers funding opportunities and programs to develop practical expertise through the Institute for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the Centre for Teaching Learning and Technology. This includes funding through various programs (e.g., SoTL Seed, Open Education Resources, and Teaching and Learning Enhancement Funds) to enrich student learning and the educational community by supporting and disseminating innovative and effective educational enhancements. There are more than 350 EL faculty at UBC at the forefront of educational scholarship rooted within their own disciplines, forging a path forward through the changing landscape of teaching and learning in higher education.

The successful candidate:

• Will hold a Ph.D. degree in Physics, Astronomy or a closely related field and be registered, or be eligible for registration within five years of appointment, as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers and Geoscientists, British Columbia.
• Will have demonstrated evidence or possess clear potential for excelling in teaching, developing and/or applying innovative pedagogy, educational leadership, and providing service to the University and the wider community. Relevant industrial experience, in particular, is viewed as an asset. Further information on the Department is available at https://www.phas.ubc.ca
• Is expected to take a leading role in enhancing the teaching and learning environment in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. This includes the development and delivery of core courses in the engineering physics curriculum, active participation in capstone design projects, and development / renewal of undergraduate laboratories.
• Will be expected to teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in physics and engineering physics, and to collaborate with other departments and programs to develop courses and other educational and experiential opportunities for students both within and beyond the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
• They will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, to create a welcoming community for all, particularly those who are historically, persistently or systemically marginalized.

Location description

Over its long history, the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UBC has distinguished itself with excellence in research, teaching and service across the breadth of physics and astronomy including Engineering Physics. The Department has a strong record of collaborative work within UBC and industry and promotes interdisciplinary research and teaching.

UBC's Engineering Physics (EngPhys) program is one of Canada's most selective and academically rigorous engineering programs, combining a strong foundation in physics, mathematics, and engineering science with extensive hands-on design and research experience. The program prepares graduates to tackle complex technological challenges at the intersection of science and engineering, with strengths spanning quantum technologies, photonics, advanced materials, electronics, computing, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy systems. Through a demanding curriculum that emphasizes analytical problem-solving, innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration, EngPhys graduates are exceptionally well prepared for careers in industry, entrepreneurship, and research, and have a long tradition of leadership in graduate studies, technology development, and high-impact engineering practice worldwide.

UBC's campuses are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples and of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəyəm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Stó:lō and Səlílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil Waututh) Nations.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/33225/apply and include the following:

• Cover letter describing your expertise and synergy with current groups and researchers at UBC
• Curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• Teaching statement describing experience, innovations, philosophy and interests in educational leadership relevant to this position
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available (such as course outlines and/or student evaluations)
• Diversity statement (1 page) describing your lived background experience (if comfortable), and your past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student body, and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion.
• Arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted to Academic Jobs Online.
  Applicants need not identify country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements:
  Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  The closing date for applications is 15 December 2026.