Assistant Professor of Physics

The Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of North Carolina Wilmington ( UNCW) invites applications for a fulltime, ninemonth tenuretrack Assistant Professor position in Physics, beginning August 2026.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the department's teaching mission at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, engage in service to the institution and profession, and establish an active research program that meaningfully involves undergraduate students.

This position is open to applicants from all subfields of physics. The department welcomes candidates at various career stages, including recent doctoral graduates and postdoctoral scholars, who can contribute to our teaching, research, and service missions.

No Required Certifications or Licensure

The Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography is an academic unit currently within the College of Science and Engineering. The department provides quality programs leading to B.S. and B.A. degrees in Physics, Coastal Engineering, or 3+2 Physics/Electrical Engineering degrees. Within a physics degree, students can focus coursework on General Physics, Applied Physics, Environmental Physics, or Physical Oceanography. Faculty in the department conduct a wide range of research activities from nuclear and particle physics, theoretical physics, remote sensing, and complex coastal ocean processes. As part of our applied learning commitment, faculty in the department are continuously engaged in providing research opportunities to students at the undergraduate level.

The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST February 2, 2026, which is the posting close date. Applicants are required to submit the following items in Adobe PDF or MS Word format online at https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/37638:

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Cheryl Humphrey ( humphreyc@uncw.edu), while questions regarding the position can be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Edward Olszewski, ( olszewski@uncw.edu).