Employment Opportunities

The Opportunity

The Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU) invites applications for two full-time continuing teaching faculty positions at the rank of Lecturer, starting as early as July 15, 2027.

Lecturers are integral members of the Faculty of Science and play an important role in advancing the University’s teaching mission. Their primary responsibilities are teaching and associated duties including curriculum development, educational leadership, and administrative and service contributions. As members of the collegial academic community, continuing Lecturers participate in departmental, Faculty, and University governance in accordance with the Collective Agreement and applicable University policies.

Lecturers may apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer and University Lecturer when requirements are met for each rank, and are eligible to apply for paid study leave to support their professional development.

About the Department of Physics and SFU

The Department of Physics offers strong undergraduate and graduate programs and has a commitment to public outreach. Its research strengths include condensed matter physics, biological physics, particle physics, cosmology, astrophysics, atomic, molecular and optical physics, and quantum information science and technology. The department values collaborative teaching and communication of physics to undergraduate students and the public. Learn more at www.sfu.ca/physics. We take pride in fostering a supportive and accommodating environment for all our members.

The Department of Physics is based at SFU’s Burnaby campus, where these positions will be primarily based, although teaching assignments may also include courses offered at the Surrey campus. 

Key Responsibilities

In the Department of Physics, the normal annual teaching workload for a full-time Lecturer is six courses or their equivalent. Teaching assignments are determined in accordance with the department’s workload policy and the SFU/SFUFA Collective Agreement.

At least one semester in nine, a Lecturer will have no teaching duties assigned. For the purposes of this entitlement, the non-teaching semester is one in which the Lecturer would normally have taught at least two regular courses or their equivalent.

The responsibilities of the successful candidates will include:

• Preparing, teaching, and updating assigned undergraduate courses, including lecture, studio, and laboratory courses;

• Supervising, training, and mentoring teaching assistants associated with assigned courses;

• Contributing to course, curriculum, and instructional laboratory development;

• Maintaining currency in physics and engaging in relevant pedagogical and professional development; 

• Pursuing educational leadership opportunities and initiatives that support effective and inclusive teaching and learning;

• Mentoring students and supervising student projects, as appropriate; and

• Undertaking service responsibilities assigned by the Chair in consultation with the Lecturer, including possible contributions to student recruitment, public outreach, and departmental, Faculty or University committees.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidates must have:

• A PhD in Physics or a closely related field by the employment start date;

• Demonstrated effectiveness and commitment to undergraduate teaching;

• Experience teaching and developing physics courses, including laboratory or studio instruction;

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to lead and manage groups in instructional settings; 

• Evidence of promise in educational leadership;

• A demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment; and

• Evidence of involvement in, or commitment to, service to the academic profession, the University, or the broader community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary physics teaching experience beyond teaching-assistant work;

• Experience with curriculum design and teaching-assistant supervision;

• Experience applying evidence-based pedagogy; 

• Experience with physics outreach and public communication; and

• For one of the two positions, the ability to teach introductory astrophysics.

How to Apply

Please submit your application as a single PDF file by email to the Physics Chair’s Assistant at physchairsec@sfu.ca. Applications should be addressed to Prof. Levon Pogosian, Chair of Physics. Informal inquiries can be directed to Prof. Pogosian at physchr@sfu.ca. A complete application file should include:

• A concise cover letter, 1-2 pages long, detailing your interest in the positions, relevant qualifications, and how your teaching aligns with the department’s goals;

• A current curriculum vitae;

• A teaching portfolio, up to 5 pages long, containing a statement of your teaching philosophy, a description of your teaching experience, your approach to effective and inclusive teaching, contributions to course or curriculum development, and experience with pedagogical innovation and/or educational leadership, plus other evidence of teaching strengths;

• Names and contact information for three referees; 

• An indication of your legal status to work in Canada.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed if the positions are still open. The anticipated start date is July 15, 2027.

We recognize that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g. parental leave, leave due to illness, disruptions due to COVID-19) can impact professional and teaching accomplishments, and we commit to ensuring that such leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how alternative paths and/or interruptions have affected their professional development and teaching contributions.

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please contact SFU’s Equity Office at edi@sfu.ca. 

About SFU’s Commitment to Diversity

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilw̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose unceded traditional territories our three campuses reside.

SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Salary and Benefits

Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role at the Lecturer rank is $98,340 - $114,241 (dependent on experience). SFU also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including pension, health, and dental benefits. For details on the benefits offered by SFU, please visit the Faculty Relations website. The successful candidate will be a member of the Simon Fraser University Faculty Association (SFUFA).

Privacy Notice

Personal information that forms part of an application is collected under the general authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, applicable University Policies, and the SFUFA/SFU Collective Agreement. For further details see the full Collection Notice.

Job Description

The Silicon Quantum Technology research group at Simon Fraser University is looking for highly skilled and motivated Postdocs to join our team in developing groundbreaking photonic quantum processor and networks.

For enquiries and details about the position, please contact Prof. Daniel Higginbottom at daniel_higginbottom@sfu.ca. Applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and the contact details of at least two references. Applications will be evaluated immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

For the latest postings, please visit https://www.sfu.ca/human-resources/prospective-employees/tssu-postings/science-postings/physics-postings.html  

Please visit SFU's central posting site for TA postings, application procedures, and related information.

PHYSICS DEPARTMENT – TEACHING ASSISTANT (TA) HIRING PRIORITIES (23 JUNE 2016)

Priority for appointment/reappointment as a Teaching Assistant is in accordance with Article XIII of the Collective Agreement with the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).

In allocating Teaching Assistant positions, the department will also take into account the following:

• Amount of financial support offered on admission to the graduate program;
• Suitability for particular courses (e.g. discipline of prior degree(s), publications, experience);
• Applicant’s preferences.

If an assignment within a priority group requires a selection between applicants, the graduate student without financial support from merit based scholarships or merit based fellowships during the semester of appointment with a value equal to at least a 5.17 appointment, will have priority for the appointment.