Physics & Astronomy: Assistant Professor

POSITION: Two probationary tenure-track faculty positions in Robotics Engineering at the rank of assistant professor are available in the Physics and Astronomy Department in the College of Arts and Sciences; higher rank may be considered for candidates with extensive experience.  The program seeks dynamic candidates with expertise in robotics engineering or a closely related engineering discipline who is committed to teaching excellence and to maintaining an active research program involving undergraduates.  This appointment begins August 18, 2025.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Earned doctorate in Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering field from a regionally accredited higher education institution by August 18, 2025. A strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, and the ability to establish a research program in robotics engineering that involves undergraduates is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and scholarship will be considered an asset. Prior teaching experience in robotics engineering may be considered an asset.  Expertise in control systems; applications of sensors, actuators and embedded controllers; design of systems that integrate hardware and software to control mechanical systems may be considered an asset. Industry experience in robotics engineering may be considered an asset.  The ability to bring diverse cultural and ethnic experiences and perspectives to the campus and to serve as a role model and mentor for women and/or minorities may be considered an asset.

DUTIES: Instructional responsibilities include teaching all levels of Robotic Engineering courses, particularly upper-level courses in control system; application of sensors, actuators and embedded controllers; design of systems that integrate hardware and software to control mechanical systems. The course load is approximately 12 contact hours each semester, which includes both lecture and laboratory sections.  Faculty are expected to participate in collaborative research and scholarly activities involving undergraduate students. Responsibilities will include keeping the curriculum current with the field and participating in the ABET accreditation process.  Additional responsibilities include advising students in the robotics engineering major as well as service to the department, University, and profession.

THE ROBOTICS ENGINEERING PROGRAM: Robotics Engineering is a new interdisciplinary program, designed for ABET accreditation that is housed in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The program is focused on applications in healthcare (assistive robotics, medical applications) and the human-machine interface.  It has developed out of strong programs in Physics, Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering and Biomedical Engineering (both the MSE and BME programs are ABET accredited). Combined these units currently graduate about 110 students each year.

THE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT:   The Department of Physics & Astronomy is composed of 7 faculty, one part-time adjunct instructional staff, an instrumentation specialist, and a department assistant.  The department strives to provide quality undergraduate programs to students with a variety of educational goals, including Robotics, Physics, Applied Physics, Astrophysics, Pre-Engineering, and Dual Degree Engineering.  We actively promote collegiality among faculty and work to provide a supportive environment for all students.  We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion as we seek to increase the numbers of women and underrepresented groups among our students and staff.  Current areas of active research with strong emphasis on undergraduate collaboration include biophysics, computational physics, astronomy/astrophysics, optics, surface science and organic electronics.  The department has research equipment including an optics laboratory, electronics laboratory, wood and metal shops, and a digital fabrication lab. In addition, the department has access to a campus high-performance supercomputer center with two clusters comprising over 4,000 CPU cores spread across 85 nodes.  The department participates in a wide variety of outreach endeavors to K-12 schools.  The department is closely linked to the interdisciplinary Materials Science & Engineering Center with a large array of materials characterization instrumentation (thermal deposition equipment, XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDS, AFM, XPS, XRF, Tensile testing, hardness testing, nano indenter, etc.) and 3D Printing facilities.  Additional information about the department can be found on our website:  uwec.ly/physics.

UNIVERSITY and EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY: UW-Eau Claire is an institution of approximately 10,000 students and 1,200 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as a top comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. We strive for excellence in liberal education and select graduate and professional programs through commitment to teaching and learning and dedication to our core values of diversity, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. Construction of the new Science and Health Sciences building on campus began this summer.

The City of Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, is at the center of a metropolitan area of approximately 100,000 people located 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  The area features beautiful parks and trails, strong public schools, a vibrant arts/music scene and local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applications are submitted electronically.  Please follow instructions found on the UW-Eau Claire website:  https://www.uwec.edu/job-postings/.  Scroll down to find this position listed, then click on the "Apply Now" button and follow the instructions.  You must create an account and login before you can apply.  If you have not yet registered, click on the "Click here to Register" link to begin the registration process. If you are already a registered user, input your "User Name" and "Password" and select "Login."  Click the link to the Physics and Astronomy: Assistant Professor position (Job ID #21273) and then click the "Apply Now" button to submit your application electronically.  Your application will not be considered complete until all required documents are attached, and all required fields are completed.  Please be sure you have included the following in PDF format:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vita
• Statement of teaching interests and experience
• Statement of research interests and experience, including proposed and undergraduate research projects
• Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application but official copes will be required when the position is offered).
• Applicants will also arrange for three letters recommendation to be sent directly from the recommender to PhysicsHire@uwec.edu . Applications will not be considered complete until all three reference letters have arrived.

Please direct requests for additional information to Dr. Erik Hendrickson:  hendrije@uwec.edu.

Priority will be given to completed applications received by November 1, 2024, with applications accepted until position is filled.  The university reserves the right to contact additional references with notice given to the candidates at an appropriate time in the process.  Employment will require a background check.  Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released.  See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working.  Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is limited, the University Police want students, faculty, and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus.  The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime.  Visit Campus Security and Fire Report (2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report_UW_Eau Claire.pdf (uwec.edu).  Also visit Clearly Report and Safety Information (Clery Report and Safety Information | UW-Eau Claire (uwec.edu)).

UW-Eau Claire is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disability employer.