What does a physics instructor do?
Physics instructor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real physics instructor resumes:
- Manage courses via online Moodle2 platform, including recording lectures and uploading PowerPoint notes.
- Develop lesson plans and teaching strategies for math classes to improve student performance.
- Develop and teach 1st and 2nd semester calculus and non-calculus base general physics and the associated lab courses.
- Develop and modify FORTRAN codes for many complex calculations.
- Prepare the lectures, assignments, labs, and examine material.
- Work with the local schools and area residents to implement youth volleyball and basketball leagues
- Teach basic statics and dynamics principles of physics, focus on industrial design program.
- Include the use of various technology tools and math lab environments to enhance learning.
- Used FORTRAN language to solve the RMS radius of the charge density distribution of atomic nuclei.
- Learned, examine, and evaluate data management, physics, and mathematics to secondary school students.
- Advance algebraic principles, factoring, exponents, solving simultaneous equations, graphing linear and non-linear functions, and algebraic applications.
- Tutor engineering students in physics and chemistry.
- Train students to use basic chemistry instrumentation.
- Tutor individuals and groups in undergraduate mathematics and physical sciences.
- Perform reassessments to identify mask injuries and adjust fitness plans to address rehabilitation.
Physics instructor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Physics Instructors are proficient in MCAT, Mathematics, and Syllabus. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Physics Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- MCAT, 20%
Prepared and delivered lectures in organic chemistry for students preparing for the MCAT exam.
- Mathematics, 12%
Tutored individuals and groups in undergraduate mathematics and physical sciences.
- Syllabus, 10%
Developed a syllabus and curriculum for a Summer Enrichment Program for pre-medical students in the area of physiological applications of Physics.
- Lab Experiments, 7%
Combined electronic simulations and lab experiments in astronomy.
- Chemistry, 7%
Tutored engineering students in physics and chemistry.
- Physical Therapy, 6%
Presented research on service learning and self-efficacy at 2005 annual meeting of American Physical Therapy Association.
Most physics instructors use their skills in "mcat," "mathematics," and "syllabus" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential physics instructor responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a physics instructor to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." Additionally, a physics instructor resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "facilitated the recitation portion of the introduction course of communication studies and interpersonal communication. "
Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform physics instructor duties is speaking skills. Physics instructors responsibilities require that "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." Physics instructors also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "presented programs in physical science and astronomy for primary and secondary students as part of a college outreach program. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of physics instructors is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday physics instructor duties, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assist student with reading, writing, grammar, and math ensuring they stay focused and on task. "
The three companies that hire the most physics instructors are:
- State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia3 physics instructors jobs
- Harvard University2 physics instructors jobs
- University of Virginia2 physics instructors jobs
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Compare different physics instructors
Physics instructor vs. Astronomy teacher
An Assistant Professor of Physics conducts college-level courses in the field of physics. They examine and give students feedback about their academic activity.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a physics instructor are more likely to require skills like "mcat," "mathematics," "syllabus," and "lab experiments." On the other hand, a job as an astronomy teacher requires skills like "student learning," "science standards," "research projects," and "pre-assessments." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, astronomy teachers reach similar levels of education than physics instructors. Astronomy teachers are 2.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Physics instructor vs. Assistant professor of physics
Each career also uses different skills, according to real physics instructor resumes. While physics instructor responsibilities can utilize skills like "mcat," "syllabus," "lab experiments," and "chemistry," assistant professors of physics use skills like "patients," "research projects," "physics courses," and "patient care."
Assistant professors of physics may earn a higher salary than physics instructors, but assistant professors of physics earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $70,119. On the other hand, physics instructors receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,976.assistant professors of physics earn lower levels of education than physics instructors in general. They're 8.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Physics instructor vs. Associate professor of physics
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from physics instructor resumes include skills like "mcat," "mathematics," "syllabus," and "lab experiments," whereas an associate professor of physics is more likely to list skills in "astronomy," "physical medicine," "pharmacology," and "physics majors. "
Associate professors of physics earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $85,792. Physics instructors earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $69,976.Most associate professors of physics achieve a similar degree level compared to physics instructors. For example, they're 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 11.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Physics instructor vs. Medical physics teacher
Even though a few skill sets overlap between physics instructors and medical physics teachers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a physics instructor might have more use for skills like "mcat," "syllabus," "lab experiments," and "chemistry." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of medical physics teachers require skills like "biomedical," "medical terminology," "physiology," and "pre-k."
In general, medical physics teachers hold lower degree levels compared to physics instructors. Medical physics teachers are 14.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of physics instructor
Updated January 8, 2025
