Physics - Chairperson

Position Announcement

August 27, 2009

APPOINTMENT: July 1, 2010.

QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. in Physics or closely related areas. Must be eligible for tenure at WIU at the time of appointment. A record of achievement and excellence in the areas of teaching, scholarly and professional activities, student-oriented affairs, and academic service that justifies the granting of full professor status. The applicant must demonstrate: excellence and innovation in teaching at all levels of physics; leadership in new initiatives; a commitment for involvement of undergraduate and graduate students in research; direct experience in managing and directing teams of scholars in both research and educational endeavors; involvement in successful outreach and recruitment activities; and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of groups (grant funding agencies and institutions, academic administration, educational institutions, governmental agencies, and community leaders).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A history of successful advising and/or mentoring experience, a track record of involvement of all students in research, a history of obtaining and administering major grants and contracts, and a history of taking leadership roles in service on academic committees at all levels are highly desirable in an applicant.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Chair is responsible for the execution of University and college policies insofar as they concern the department. The responsibilities include overseeing and reviewing long-range departmental goals and objectives; recruiting, supervising, and evaluating personnel; attracting and retaining students; administering department budget; coordinating class schedule; classroom teaching as appropriate; supporting department faculty and programs; furnishing leadership for evaluation and improvement of instruction and academic advisement in the department; and all other matters which affect the general welfare of the department. The successful applicant will foster and extend the department’s strengths in teaching, research and service to students and the university. The Chair will pursue an aggressive agenda that enhances the department’s core mission to provide a first rate educational experience for its students and increases the department’s ability to engage in externally-funded research activities which provide opportunities for mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students. The position is a 12-month contract; see http://www.wiu.edu/policies/deptchairs.php for policies on department Chairs.

RANK & SALARY: Tenured position with the rank of professor, twelve months. Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Western Illinois University offers a competitive benefits package that includes domestic partner benefits. For full benefit information visit: http://www.wiu.edu/hr/benefits.php. Start-up funds will be negotiated.

THE DEPARTMENT:The Department of Physics offers the B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics. The Department also offers a teacher certification option and pre-professional programs in engineering and architecture. The faculty currently serve 20 undergraduate majors, 13 graduate majors and 27 pre-engineering students, as well as offer a number of general education and service courses. All majors are encouraged to participate in research activities. For further information, visit the website at http://www.wiu.edu/physics/.

THE UNIVERSITY: Recognized as one of the "Best in the Midwest Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of only 20 public universities ranked a "Tier 1 Midwestern Masters Institution" by U.S. News and World Report, Western Illinois University (WIU) serves approximately 13,000 students in the heart of the Midwest through its traditional residential, four-year campus in Macomb and its upper-division urban commuter location in Moline, Illinois.

Western's campuses are dedicated to providing a high quality, accessible and affordable education. The WIU-Macomb and Quad Cities campuses are comprised of accomplished faculty, state-of-the-art technology and facilities, and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. The four core values at the heart of the University are academic excellence, educational opportunity, personal growth, and social responsibility.WIU's GradTrac and Cost Guarantee programs ensure that students can achieve their degrees within four years while paying a fixed rate for tuition, fees, plus room and board. WIU remains the only university in Illinois to guarantee the cost for tuition, fees and room and board over a four-year period at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

WIU is a comprehensive university offering 66 undergraduate and 37 graduate degree programs. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, the University's 762 full-time faculty members teach 93 percent of all undergraduate and graduate courses, in addition to eight preprofessional degree programs and 18 certificate programs.

Western offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 20 intercollegiate sports. Football competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision through the Missouri Valley Football Conference; all other sports compete at the Division I level through The Summit League. WIU is the cultural center of the region, with 12 major theatrical and dance productions and more than 12 studio shows presented annually in Western's three theatres. The Bureau of Cultural Affairs and the University Union Board present outstanding concerts, lectures, dramatic presentations, films, and dance attractions.

The University Libraries contain more than 1 million cataloged volumes, 20,000 current periodicals, and access to over 100 electronic databases of information. WIU's librarians answer approximately 10,000 research questions per year. The library system encompasses the main Malpass Library and four branch libraries. The Physical Sciences Library, the Music Library, the Curriculum Library, and the Quad Cities campus library are integral parts of the University's system that provides full service to students, faculty, and staff.

Western Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

APPLICATION: Candidates must submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, statements regarding teaching experience and philosophy (including evidence of excellence), proposed research program and how it will involve students, statement of administrative philosophy, and four confidential letters of reference (including one that specifically addresses administrative and leadership ability). Apply to: Physics Chair Search Committee, c/o Dean's Office, College of Arts and Sciences, Western Illinois University; 1 University Circle; Macomb, IL 61455-1390. (Email: PhysicsSearch@wiu.edu; phone 309-298-1828; fax 309-298-2585).

Review will begin on November 2, 2009 and will continue until the position is filled.

Western Illinois University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. WIU has a non-discrimination policy that includes sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, and veteran status.