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Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

SOC 25-1054.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers postsecondary physics instruction from initial faculty roles through department leadership, spanning undergraduate and graduate teaching, laboratory supervision, research mentorship, curriculum design, and institutional governance at research universities and colleges.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Course syllabi and homework assignments — draft and organize under faculty mentorship for introductory undergraduate physics courses.
  2. Lecture content on foundational topics such as classical mechanics and optics — prepare and deliver with structured guidance in a supervised classroom setting.
  3. Student class work and lab reports — evaluate using provided rubrics and grading criteria under close faculty oversight.
  4. Examinations covering core physics concepts — administer and grade following departmental protocols established by senior instructors.
  5. Office hours — maintain on a scheduled basis to respond to undergraduate student questions with support from supervising faculty.
  6. Classroom discussions on introductory physics principles — facilitate using prepared prompts and structured formats in small undergraduate sections.
  7. Student attendance records and grade entries — maintain accurately in departmental learning management systems following institutional guidelines.
  8. Analytical or scientific software tools — apply to prepare course demonstrations and problem sets under direction of experienced teaching faculty.
  9. Scientific literature and textbook chapters — read and synthesize to support accurate content delivery in assigned undergraduate courses.
  10. Undergraduate laboratory sessions — assist in supervising, ensuring students follow safety protocols and proper experimental procedures.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Course materials including syllabi, problem sets, and handouts — independently design and refine for undergraduate courses across multiple physics topics.
  2. Lectures on intermediate topics such as electromagnetism and thermodynamics — prepare and deliver autonomously to undergraduate students with minimal oversight.
  3. Student assignments, examinations, and laboratory work — compile, grade, and return with substantive written feedback in a timely manner.
  4. Examinations aligned with course learning objectives — construct and administer, delegating specific grading tasks to teaching assistants as appropriate.
  5. Office hours and one-on-one advising sessions — conduct regularly to support diverse undergraduate learners navigating challenging physics concepts.
  6. Undergraduate research projects and internship activities — supervise, providing periodic structured feedback to guide student progress.
  7. Active learning strategies — integrate into physics lectures and recitation sections to increase student engagement and conceptual retention.
  8. Grade books, attendance data, and institutional reporting records — maintain with accuracy using departmental software and calendar management tools.
  9. Classroom discourse on topics such as quantum mechanics — initiate and moderate, encouraging critical questioning and evidence-based reasoning among students.
  10. Interdisciplinary connections between physics, mathematics, and engineering — draw upon and communicate clearly during course delivery to mixed-background student cohorts.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Advanced graduate-level lectures on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and statistical mechanics — design and deliver autonomously, adapting depth and pace to diverse graduate student needs.
  2. Comprehensive course curricula spanning introductory through graduate levels — develop independently, incorporating current research findings and pedagogically sound sequencing.
  3. Complex student assessments including research papers, qualifying-style problems, and laboratory projects — evaluate with expert judgment, providing detailed diagnostic feedback.
  4. Graduate student research and thesis work — supervise end-to-end, guiding experimental design, data analysis, and scholarly writing toward publication-ready outcomes.
  5. Seminar and graduate classroom discussions on non-routine theoretical and experimental physics problems — facilitate with intellectual depth, drawing out student reasoning and synthesis.
  6. Independent study plans and academic advising pathways — construct for individual graduate students, integrating departmental requirements with each student's research trajectory.
  7. Analytical and scientific software environments — employ proficiently to model physical systems, create simulations, and design data-driven course activities.
  8. Examination and assessment systems at the course level — design, administer, and continuously improve using student performance data and evidence-based assessment principles.
  9. Original physics research alongside teaching responsibilities — conduct and integrate into coursework, exposing students to current discoveries and methodological rigor.
  10. Teaching effectiveness — monitor through systematic self-assessment, peer review, and student feedback analysis, implementing targeted improvements each academic term.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Departmental physics curriculum — lead comprehensive review and redesign, aligning learning outcomes with national disciplinary standards and institutional strategic goals.
  2. Junior faculty and postdoctoral instructors — mentor in pedagogical best practices, research integration, and professional development within the postsecondary physics context.
  3. Large-scale or multi-section course reforms — direct, deploying evidence-based instructional innovations such as active learning frameworks and technology-enhanced laboratories.
  4. Graduate program admissions, qualifying examination standards, and degree requirements — establish and periodically revise to reflect evolving disciplinary and workforce demands.
  5. Externally funded research programs — lead, integrating graduate and undergraduate students as co-investigators and authoring publications in high-impact physics journals.
  6. Institutional policies on academic integrity, grade appeals, and assessment equity — shape and advocate for at faculty governance and administrative levels.
  7. Interdisciplinary collaborations with engineering, chemistry, and computer science departments — initiate and steward, creating joint courses, research initiatives, and shared laboratory resources.
  8. Departmental teaching culture and professional norms — model and reinforce through exemplary classroom practice, public scholarship on physics education, and faculty hiring decisions.
  9. Strategic vision for physics instruction and research — articulate to institutional leadership, accreditors, and external funding agencies, securing resources to advance departmental priorities.
  10. National and international professional communities in physics education — contribute to by presenting innovative findings, serving on editorial boards, and shaping disciplinary teaching standards.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted content drafting — prompts an LLM to generate first drafts of course handouts and homework problem sets, then manually reviews and corrects the physics content before distribution Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic grading support — submits short-answer student responses to an AI tool for initial feedback suggestions, then applies independent judgment to assign final grades.
Developing
  1. Lecture preparation acceleration — directs an AI assistant to synthesize background material on topics such as quantum mechanics or optics, cutting preparatory reading time substantially while retaining authority over pedagogical framing Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Examination assembly — uses an AI tool to generate candidate exam questions across difficulty levels, then curates, edits, and sequences items to match course learning objectives Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Student communication drafting — delegates the drafting of office-hour summary emails and student feedback reports to an AI assistant, reviewing for accuracy before sending.
Proficient
  1. Collaborative syllabus design — works alongside an AI tool in an iterative dialogue to structure semester-long course arcs, balancing AI-generated scaffolding with expert decisions about conceptual sequencing and prerequisite alignment Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Adaptive problem-set generation — instructs an AI to produce parameterized physics problems tailored to specific student misconceptions identified during lectures, then validates the solutions mathematically before assignment Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Lecture script refinement — produces a detailed outline independently, hands it to an AI for rhetorical and clarity improvements, and re-integrates discipline-specific precision that the AI flattens or omits WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Research literature synthesis — delegates initial summarization of journal articles to an AI tool, then critically evaluates the summaries against primary sources to construct accurate course-relevant narratives Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. AI-mediated personalized instruction design — architects a course-wide AI-assisted feedback loop in which student lab reports are pre-analyzed by an AI for common error patterns, allowing the instructor to target lecture content and office hours toward high-leverage conceptual gaps Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Autonomous task orchestration with verification — assigns an AI agent extended research-summarization and rubric-drafting tasks with minimal supervision, then applies domain expertise and pedagogical theory to audit outputs before institutional use Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Critical AI literacy modeling — teaches students to interrogate AI-generated physics explanations for conceptual errors, embedding structured AI critique into laboratory and seminar workflows as a transferable skill Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Cross-course curriculum alignment — directs AI tools to map competency coverage across multiple physics courses, identifies gaps and redundancies flagged by the analysis, and redesigns instructional sequences based on evidence-informed judgment that the AI cannot supply.
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 3175
Augment share: 95%
Time saved: 83.4%
AI autonomy: 3.03
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Instructing
Score: 57.3 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Lecture delivery — presents introductory physics concepts such as Newton's laws using prepared notes and standard terminology to undergraduate audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Syllabus communication — drafts course syllabi and homework assignment instructions with basic clarity for student comprehension O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Office hour interaction — responds to individual student questions about physics problem sets using direct verbal explanation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Conceptual explanation — translates abstract physics principles such as wave-particle duality into accessible analogies during classroom lectures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Written feedback — provides written comments on laboratory reports and problem sets that identify specific errors and suggest corrective reasoning O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Discussion facilitation — initiates structured classroom dialogue on topics such as thermodynamics by posing open-ended questions to stimulate student engagement O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-audience delivery — calibrates lecture content and vocabulary when addressing undergraduate survey courses versus graduate quantum mechanics seminars Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research communication — presents ongoing physics research findings clearly in departmental colloquia and written manuscripts for peer or student audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Active listening in advising — elicits student misconceptions about optics or particle physics through targeted questioning and reflective paraphrasing during office hours Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Public physics communication — translates complex topics such as general relativity or quantum field theory for non-specialist audiences through public lectures or science outreach events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship communication — guides graduate students in developing their own scientific writing and presentation skills through iterative, formative feedback on dissertations and conference papers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary discourse — communicates physics principles and interdisciplinary connections effectively to audiences in chemistry, engineering, or mathematics departments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Classroom authority — establishes course expectations and learning norms at the start of a physics course, creating a structured environment for student success Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assignment design leadership — takes initiative in designing homework problems that scaffold from classical mechanics to more complex applications O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Teaching supervision — provides directional guidance to undergraduate teaching assistants grading laboratory work or leading recitation sections O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Student motivation — encourages persistence in struggling physics students by reframing difficult problem-solving challenges as developmental milestones Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Course committee participation — contributes to curriculum planning discussions and advocates for physics curriculum improvements within the department O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research group leadership — directs the daily activities of an undergraduate or graduate research group, setting milestones, resolving conflicts, and maintaining momentum on physics investigations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Internship and fieldwork supervision — oversees student internship placements in physics-related industries, setting learning goals and evaluating professional development O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Departmental initiative — leads course redesign projects or assessment committees that improve physics program outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Program-level leadership — shapes the strategic direction of a physics department or graduate program by championing curriculum innovation, faculty development, and resource allocation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship pipeline — cultivates the next generation of physicists and physics educators by providing sustained, individualized developmental leadership to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Grant and research leadership — leads multi-investigator research projects, coordinating team responsibilities and communicating progress to funding agencies and institutional stakeholders O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition10 statements
Emerging
  1. Instructional self-monitoring — reflects on individual lecture clarity after class sessions and identifies moments where student confusion arose from unclear explanations of physics concepts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy awareness — recognizes which pedagogical approaches, such as worked examples versus conceptual questioning, produce different learning outcomes in introductory physics students Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Assessment calibration — reviews graded examination results to evaluate whether test items accurately measured intended physics learning objectives and adjusts future assessments accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research process reflection — monitors personal research strategies in physics investigations, identifying cognitive bottlenecks and revising experimental or theoretical approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Pedagogical adjustment — systematically evaluates mid-semester student feedback and modifies lecture pacing or problem difficulty for optics or mechanics units Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Teaching portfolio analysis — evaluates patterns across multiple semesters of student performance data to diagnose persistent instructional gaps in quantum mechanics or electromagnetic theory courses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Disciplinary self-assessment — monitors currency of personal physics knowledge against evolving literature in particle physics or condensed matter, identifying areas requiring continued learning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Metacognitive modeling — explicitly teaches graduate students and advanced undergraduates to monitor their own problem-solving strategies in theoretical and experimental physics contexts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Scholarly self-regulation — designs personal professional development plans that align research trajectories, pedagogical skill-building, and service contributions with long-term career goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Curriculum epistemology — critically examines the assumptions underlying physics curriculum sequencing and revises course structures based on evidence about how students construct physics knowledge Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Problem evaluation — identifies logical errors in student solutions to classical mechanics or electrostatics problems and distinguishes conceptual misunderstandings from arithmetic mistakes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Source assessment — evaluates the reliability of physics textbooks and journal articles selected for course reading lists O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Examination analysis — analyzes student examination responses to determine whether errors reflect procedural gaps or deeper conceptual misalignments with core physics principles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Experimental reasoning — evaluates laboratory data collected by students for systematic errors, measurement uncertainty, and validity of conclusions drawn from experimental results O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Assumption identification — guides students in identifying hidden assumptions embedded in physics problems, such as frictionless surfaces or idealized conductors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research hypothesis evaluation — rigorously assesses theoretical models and experimental designs in physics research against current evidence and competing explanations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Curriculum evidence review — applies critical analysis of physics education research literature to select instructional methods with demonstrated effectiveness for specific learning outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Peer review judgment — evaluates the logical coherence, methodological soundness, and significance of physics manuscripts or grant proposals submitted for peer review O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Paradigm critique — critically examines foundational assumptions in sub-disciplines of physics, generating research questions that challenge or extend existing theoretical frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Doctoral mentorship in reasoning — coaches doctoral students in applying rigorous critical analysis to their dissertation research, including falsifiability, alternative hypotheses, and boundary conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Interdisciplinary synthesis — integrates evidence from physics, mathematics, and adjacent sciences to construct novel, well-reasoned theoretical arguments or instructional frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration11 statements
Emerging
  1. Departmental cooperation — participates constructively in physics department faculty meetings and contributes to shared course-scheduling decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Co-instruction coordination — collaborates with laboratory teaching assistants to ensure alignment between lecture content and hands-on physics experiments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Student group facilitation — designs and moderates collaborative problem-solving activities in physics courses that distribute cognitive load and encourage peer explanation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research collaboration — contributes defined intellectual and technical responsibilities within a multi-investigator physics research team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-departmental liaison — coordinates with mathematics or engineering faculty to align prerequisite content and shared learning objectives relevant to physics students O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Grant team collaboration — negotiates roles, timelines, and authorship conventions within collaborative physics research grants involving multiple institutions or disciplines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Advisory collaboration — works jointly with student academic advisors, career services, and industry partners to connect physics students with internship and research opportunities O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Curriculum co-development — partners with physics colleagues to co-design and revise courses, sharing assessment data and pedagogical strategies to strengthen program coherence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. International research network leadership — builds and sustains productive collaborative relationships with physics research groups across institutions and countries, navigating diverse professional norms Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary team integration — leads collaborative teams spanning physics, chemistry, and computer science, aligning diverse methodological perspectives toward shared research or educational goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Community of practice facilitation — convenes faculty learning communities within the physics department to share evidence-based teaching innovations and build collective instructional capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character11 statements
Emerging
  1. Grading integrity — applies consistent, rubric-based standards when evaluating student laboratory work and examinations, avoiding bias based on student identity or prior performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Academic honesty modeling — communicates institutional academic integrity policies clearly and upholds them consistently within physics courses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Professional accountability — maintains accurate student attendance, grade, and assessment records in compliance with institutional requirements and deadlines O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ethical research conduct — adheres to responsible conduct of research standards in physics investigations, including proper data attribution, authorship, and conflict-of-interest disclosure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Equitable access — ensures office hours, course materials, and laboratory opportunities are accessible and fairly distributed across all enrolled students Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Mentorship ethics — maintains appropriate professional boundaries and transparent expectations when advising graduate students through long-term research and career development relationships Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent assessment — provides clear, documented rationale for grading decisions and responds to student grade appeals with evidence-based, professionally respectful explanations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Inclusive environment — proactively addresses exclusionary dynamics in physics classrooms and research groups, modeling respect for all students regardless of background Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional integrity advocacy — champions transparent, equitable policies in faculty hiring, curriculum review, and student evaluation processes at the departmental or college level Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional ethics leadership — serves on research ethics boards or academic integrity committees, shaping institutional standards for responsible conduct in physics research and education Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Ethical mentorship at scale — establishes departmental norms for ethical graduate advising by modeling and codifying best practices in mentorship transparency, authorship, and student advocacy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity10 statements
Emerging
  1. Analogy generation — constructs novel everyday analogies to make abstract physics concepts such as entropy or wave superposition more intuitive for introductory students Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Problem variation — modifies standard textbook physics problems to create original variations that test deeper conceptual understanding O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Demonstration design — invents or adapts physical demonstrations and simulations that make invisible physics phenomena, such as magnetic field lines or interference patterns, visually compelling Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assessment innovation — creates non-traditional assessment formats, such as concept mapping or experimental design tasks, that reveal student understanding of physics beyond standard problem sets Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research hypothesis generation — formulates original and testable hypotheses in physics research that diverge from conventional interpretations of experimental data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Curriculum redesign — reconceptualizes the structure of a physics course sequence by integrating contemporary physics applications such as quantum computing or astrophysics to increase relevance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Interdisciplinary problem framing — reframes physics research questions through the lens of adjacent disciplines, generating novel experimental or theoretical approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Pioneering research contribution — produces original physics research that opens new lines of inquiry, introduces new theoretical models, or demonstrates experimental phenomena not previously characterized Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Pedagogical innovation leadership — develops and disseminates novel physics teaching frameworks or instructional technologies adopted by other institutions or published in physics education research journals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Creative mentorship — cultivates creative scientific thinking in doctoral students by structuring research environments that reward intellectual risk-taking and unconventional problem-solving in physics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset11 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — incorporates constructive peer or chair feedback on lecture delivery and course design into subsequent instructional planning without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emerging pedagogy learning — engages with professional development workshops on physics teaching strategies and attempts new instructional techniques in lower-stakes course contexts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Persistent inquiry — sustains engagement with a difficult physics research problem through multiple failed experimental iterations, reframing setbacks as information rather than failure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Student struggle modeling — openly shares with students the process of productive struggle in physics problem-solving, normalizing difficulty as part of learning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Disciplinary currency — regularly reads current physics literature and integrates emerging findings into course content, treating ongoing learning as a professional obligation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Instructional iteration — systematically revises physics courses after each offering based on student outcome data, peer observation, and self-reflection, treating teaching as an evolving practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research resilience — persists through grant rejection, null experimental results, or failed theoretical approaches by analyzing root causes and redirecting research effort constructively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary skill-building — pursues learning in adjacent fields such as computational modeling or quantum information science to expand the scope and impact of physics research and teaching Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Growth culture creation — establishes departmental norms that celebrate intellectual risk-taking and learning from failure in both research and teaching contexts for faculty and students Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Longitudinal mastery pursuit — demonstrates a sustained career-long trajectory of expanding expertise across multiple sub-disciplines of physics and advancing pedagogical sophistication Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Challenge-seeking leadership — voluntarily takes on difficult institutional or scholarly challenges, such as launching a new graduate research program or developing a novel undergraduate laboratory curriculum, as opportunities for growth Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness10 statements
Emerging
  1. Classroom presence — maintains focused, attentive engagement with student questions and classroom dynamics during lectures rather than defaulting to scripted delivery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Workload awareness — recognizes signs of cognitive overload when managing simultaneous demands of course preparation, grading, and research, and communicates boundaries appropriately Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Student affect attunement — notices and responds to nonverbal cues of confusion, disengagement, or distress among students during physics lectures and adjusts pacing or tone accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Deliberate feedback delivery — pauses to consider tone and framing when returning graded work or delivering critical feedback on student laboratory performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Meeting intentionality — enters faculty meetings and advising sessions with a clear purpose and manages conversational attention to achieve productive outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emotionally regulated advising — maintains calm, constructive composure when advising graduate students through research setbacks, interpersonal conflicts, or academic difficulties Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intentional course facilitation — designs discussion prompts and laboratory activities with deliberate attention to pacing, cognitive demand, and student emotional readiness for complex physics content Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Focused research attention — sustains deep, uninterrupted concentration during complex theoretical or experimental physics work by managing environmental distractions and digital interruptions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindful leadership modeling — demonstrates sustained emotional self-regulation and present-moment attentiveness in high-stakes contexts such as dissertation defenses, departmental conflicts, or research crises, setting a behavioral standard for colleagues Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic attention cultivation — designs course environments, advising structures, and research group norms that actively support students' development of focused attention and reflective awareness in physics practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude11 statements
Emerging
  1. Academic pressure tolerance — maintains professional composure and instructional consistency during high-demand periods such as end-of-semester grading and examination administration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Rejection processing — receives critical peer reviewer feedback on submitted physics manuscripts without abandoning the research project, initiating revision plans Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Research persistence — continues pursuing a physics research agenda through sustained periods of null results or experimental setbacks, maintaining methodological rigor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Difficult conversation courage — addresses academic dishonesty, underperformance, or interpersonal conflict in student or faculty relationships directly and professionally Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional adversity navigation — sustains teaching quality and research output during departmental resource constraints, leadership transitions, or institutional uncertainty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Long-cycle research endurance — sustains a multi-year physics research program through funding gaps, personnel changes, and unexpected experimental failures, adapting strategy without abandoning core scientific objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Pedagogical courage — implements evidence-based but unconventional instructional approaches in physics courses, withstanding initial student resistance or peer skepticism Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Advocacy persistence — continues championing necessary departmental changes, such as curriculum reform or inclusion initiatives, through bureaucratic resistance and prolonged timelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Career-long resilience — sustains scholarly productivity and instructional excellence across an entire physics academic career, including periods of personal challenge, institutional change, and disciplinary paradigm shifts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Fortitude mentorship — prepares graduate students for the sustained adversity inherent in physics research careers by modeling resilience, framing failure constructively, and building students' capacity to persist independently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional courage — takes principled, visible stances on contested departmental or disciplinary issues, including ethical violations or inequitable practices, accepting professional risk in service of community integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors60 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Acoustics Teacher · Adjunct Instructor · Adjunct Physics Instructor · Adjunct Physics Professor · Adjunct Professor · Aerodynamics Professor · Aerodynamics Teacher · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Astrophysics Professor · Astrophysics Teacher · Atomic Physics Professor
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
InstructingScienceSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingLearning StrategiesActive ListeningWritingActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingMathematicsMonitoringTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionService OrientationManagement of Personnel Resources
Knowledge domains
MathematicsPhysicsEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsChemistryEngineering and Technology
Abilities
Oral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningSpeech ClarityProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningMathematical ReasoningNear Vision
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityDependabilityAchievement OrientationIntegrityInnovationAttention to Detail
Technology
Computer aided design CAD softwareComputer based training softwareDevelopment environment softwareObject or component oriented development softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareWord processing softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareDesktop communications softwareElectronic mail softwareAnalytical or scientific software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  2. Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  3. Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  4. Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and optics.
  5. Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  6. Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  7. Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  8. Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
CIP education codes
13.131613.132940.029940.050840.080140.080240.080440.080540.080640.080740.080840.080940.081040.089940.110151.2205

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.