Applications are invited for an Assistant Teaching Professor position in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The ideal candidate will be able to teach introductory physics and astronomy courses, as well as a range of upper-level physics courses. Candidates with experience teaching engineering courses or in machining/fabrication will also be highly considered. A typical teaching load will consist of preparing two distinct courses each semester and will not exceed three distinct course preparations. This position has no scholarship/research obligations but does include service duties to the department, College, or University in addition to teaching 12 credits each semester.

The University is committed to the success of teaching faculty through opportunities for promotion and professional development to support long-term success and flourishing at the University.

This position is a two-year, ten-month, non-tenure track (NTT) appointment, with eligibility for reappointment and promotion based on established NTT procedures.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at 麻豆传媒在线 was formed in 2018 and consists of 5 faculty members and well over 100 physics majors. Our students represent a diverse population and include many first-generation college students. In addition to a major and minor in Physics, we also offer a concentration in astronomy and several dual-degree options, including a 3+2 BS + masters in mechanical engineering with Stevens Institute of Technology. Additional degree options in engineering are under active consideration. Multiple teacher certification pathways are also available. Along with a commitment to effective teaching, research excellence and student involvement in research are key components of our department鈥檚 culture. Our faculty are active and internationally recognized in the disciplines of gravitational-wave physics, astrophysics, optics, and nuclear physics. Current facilities include two introductory teaching labs, a dedicated lab for upper-level physics courses, a machining/fabrication shop, and dedicated research labs focusing on optics and low-energy nuclear physics. A new interdisciplinary science building (expected to open in 2028) will further expand our teaching and research spaces. The department strives to create an atmosphere of collegiality, inclusion, and the promotion of excellence. Additional information about our Department can be found online at montclair.edu/physics-astronomy/ .

QUALIFICATIONS
-A PhD in Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, or closely related fields.
-A track record of successful teaching experience in the fields of physics, engineering, and/or astronomy that readily translates to the 麻豆传媒在线 student body.
STARTING DATE: August 28, 2026

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
-Cover letter that briefly summarizes your qualifications and explains your interest in joining our Department.
-Complete curriculum vitae.
-Teaching statement of 3 to 5 pages that addresses the following: (i) your experience teaching courses relevant to this position; (ii) components of your prior teaching that contribute to its effectiveness; (iii) courses that you envision teaching at 麻豆传媒在线; (iv) strategies you would use for teaching a student population with diverse backgrounds and levels of preparation.
-Have at least three reference letters submitted by the writer to physics-search@montclair.edu. The candidate鈥檚 name should be in the subject line.

The above materials should be assembled into a single PDF document and uploaded during .

Contact Rodica Martin at physics-search@montclair.edu with any questions or requests for information.

APPLY BY:
Applications should be submitted by December 1, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Initial screening will begin shortly thereafter and be complete by the end of December. On-campus interviews are expected to take place in February 2026. The position is open until filled.

On September 14, 2015, a signal from two colliding black holes was recorded by the twin Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatories (LIGO). This was the first time gravitational-waves were detected, confirming聽a 100-year-old prediction of Albert Einstein and providing definitive proof of the existence of black holes. Join us for a discussion of this historic scientific discovery and what we have learned in the 10 years since then about black holes and the nature of gravity.

Date/time/location

Monday, September 15, 2025 at 5:30pm in CELS (Center for Environmental and Life Sciences), room 120, on the 麻豆传媒在线 campus. Reception preceding at 4:45pm in the CELS聽Atrium.

Speakers include LIGO Scientific Collaboration members and 麻豆传媒在线 faculty, Professors Marc Favata, Shaon Ghosh, and Rodica Martin.

This event is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the College of Science and Mathematics and the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Initially drawn to 麻豆传媒在线 for its affordability and proximity to his home in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Quinn-Vitabile enrolled as a聽Computer Science聽major. Like many Computer Science majors, he set about finding a software engineering internship, thinking that he might work at a tech company after graduation. Though he ended up getting that internship at Johnson & Johnson last spring, he also happened to choose Physics for his elective science course that semester.

I really had a great time in physics. I thought that it was much more interesting than anything I had done yet in computer science. I wanted to continue studying physics, and I saw there was a lot of opportunity to use skills from computation and software to work in physics, whether research or other applications.鈥�

Quinn-Vitabile decided to add the minor in聽Physics聽as it would only be a few extra classes. He could continue studying it, meet more people, and get involved in research. And that鈥檚 what he did that following summer.聽鈥淚t all happened pretty quickly after that,鈥� he says.

Read the Full Article on University News

This year’s graduates include seven physics majors (Sarah Estupinan Jimenez, Renzo Herrera, Jared Kure, Shaun Montoya, Stephanie Montoya, Eric Swanson, and Katerina Zoes) and three physics minors (CJ Szafranski in Chemistry, Elton Ago, Jan. 2025 in Computer Science; and Vlad Nita, Jan. 2025 in Mathematics).

The outing began with a discussion on fusion energy, followed by a tour of the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U). NSTX-U will attempt to contain a plasma of hydrogen using strong magnetic fields, eventually heating the plasma to temperatures sufficient to begin fusion reactions. This is the latest in a sequence of experiments at the PPPL to explore the potential of magnetically confined plasmas as a source of fusion energy. (See .)

A special thanks to Dr. Zwicker and Britt Albucker for hosting us at PPPL.

The next partial solar eclipses viewable from New Jersey will be on August 12, 2026 and August 12, 20245. On May 1, 2079, New Jersey will experience its next total solar eclipse. See you then!

For more photos of the eclipse event at 麻豆传媒在线, check out (courtesy of John LaRosa, University Photographer) and the University’s news story on this event.

Senator Zwicker spoke to a group of about 20 physics majors. Faculty members and President Koppell were also in attendance. Students asked a range of questions—from plasma physics to the Senator’s experiences in politics. Senator Zwicker provided insights into the range of issues that he tackles as a legislator, including issues relevant to supporting higher education.

This year’s graduates include five physics majors (Ivanusca Bailon, Michael Giarratana, Bill Klos, Dave Montoya, and Kevin Vargas) and two physics minors (Stephen Conte with major in Mathematics and Vanessa Glaser with major in Earth and Environmental Science). Two students (Robert Onoz and Rashmi Rajshekhar) received their Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a certification to teach physics or physical science.

Newark, NJ USA – MAY 23: 麻豆传媒在线 holds its 2023 Commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center.
Photo by Aristide Economopoulos)

Graduation was held at the Prudential Center on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 and is discussed further in this University news story. See also and a .

Physics majors Michael Giarratana (left) and Bill Klos (right) at the 2023 University Commencement.

Prof. Marc Favata (left) and Master of Arts in Teaching graduate Robert Onoz (BS Physics, 2022).

This fourth observing run, known as O4, promises to take gravitational-wave astronomy to the next level. It follows three prior observing runs, the first beginning in September 2015. Those runs have detected more than 80 black hole mergers, two probable neutron star mergers, and a few events that were most likely black holes merging with neutron stars.

O4 will begin on May 24th and last 20 months, including up to two months of commissioning breaks where the detectors will be further improved. It will be the most sensitive search yet for gravitational waves. LIGO will resume operations on May 24th, while the Virgo detector (near Pisa, Italy) will join later in the year. KAGRA鈥攖he newest detector and located under a mountain in Japan鈥攚ill join for one month, beginning May 24th, rejoining later in the observing run after some upgrades. During O4, researchers expect to observe even more energetic cosmic events and gain new insights into the nature of the universe.

鈥淲e are in for a flood of gravitational wave events that will dwarf all the previous observing runs,鈥� said Shaon Ghosh, an Assistant Professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department. 鈥淢uch of the development work over the past few years has been addressing this anticipated high volume of detections, and now we are ready for the show.鈥�

With the detectors鈥� increased sensitivity, O4 will observe a larger fraction of the universe than previous observing runs. The LIGO detectors will begin O4 approximately 30% more sensitive than before. This increased sensitivity will result in a higher rate of observed gravitational-wave signals, resulting in a detection of a merger every 2 or 3 days. Additionally, the increased sensitivity will allow us to extract more physical information (including unique astrophysical and cosmological information) from the data. It will also improve scientists鈥� ability to test Einstein鈥檚 theory of general relativity and infer the true population of dead stars in the local Universe.

As co-leader of a working group within the LSC, Prof. Ghosh helped spearhead the effort to send automated alerts on detected gravitational-wave signals. These software generated alerts are produced within 60 seconds of a signal detection, and are sent out to astronomers and telescope facilities around the world and orbiting in space. The alerts contain information about the possible sky position of a gravitational-wave event, allowing telescopes or space-based detectors to look for an electromagnetic signal from collisions involving neutron stars. These alerts also inform astronomers if neutron stars are involved in the coalescence and if the star鈥檚 structure is disrupted; these are crucial requirements for the emission of light following the stellar merger.

Along with undergraduate student Michael Camilo, Prof. Ghosh is also investigating how multiple detections of neutron star collisions can help constrain the interior properties of those extremely dense stars.聽 The properties of nuclear matter at these high densities are uncertain and impossible to replicate in Earth-based laboratories; they can only be probed using neutron stars. 鈥淥ur work will pave the way to systematically combine information from multiple detections and contribute to a state-of-the-art understanding of neutron star matter,鈥� says Ghosh.

The LIGO detectors themselves underwent several upgrades since the previous observing period. Among those upgrades were improvements to various optical components that enter the LIGO detectors. 聽Rodica Martin, an Associate Professor in the Physics & Astronomy Department, contributed to those improvements by increasing the performance of devices called Faraday isolators. These devices use magnetic fields to control the polarization of light and help constrain the path of LIGO鈥檚 powerful laser.

鈥淭he first three observing periods hinted at the enormous potential for gravitational-wave observations to probe astrophysical processes in our Universe,鈥� says Prof. Favata, PI of the 麻豆传媒在线 LIGO group and chairperson of the Physics & Astronomy Department. 鈥淭he significant expected increase in detected events in O4 and future observing runs will help us realize that potential.鈥�

Gravitational-wave observatories

LIGO is funded by the NSF, and operated by Caltech and MIT, which conceived and built the project. Financial support for the Advanced LIGO project was led by NSF with Germany (Max Planck Society), the U.K. (Science and Technology Facilities Council) and Australia (Australian Research Council) making significant commitments and contributions to the project. More than 1,500 scientists from around the world participate in the effort through the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, which includes the GEO Collaboration. Additional partners are listed at http://ligo.org/partners.php .

The Virgo Collaboration is currently composed of approximately 850 members from 143 institutions in 15 different (mainly European) countries. The European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) hosts the Virgo detector near Pisa in Italy, and is funded by Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France, the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) in Italy, and the National Institute for Subatomic Physics (Nikhef) in the Netherlands. A list of the Virgo Collaboration groups can be found at http://public.virgo-gw.eu/the-virgo-collaboration/. More information is available on the Virgo website at https://www.virgo-gw.eu.

KAGRA is the laser interferometer with 3 km arm-length in Kamioka, Gifu, Japan. The host institute is Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR), the University of Tokyo, and the project is co-hosted by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). KAGRA collaboration is composed of over 480 members from 115 institutes in 17 countries/regions. KAGRA’s information for general is at the website https://gwcenter.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/. Resources for researchers are accessible from http://gwwiki.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp/JGWwiki/KAGRA.

[This article is based on the .]