More jobs, less security

Academic jobs in physics and astronomy in the US are proliferating but, reflecting a wider trend in academia, the bulk of the growth is in non-tenure-track positions. So says a recent report by the American Institute of Physics.

From 1994 to 2004, the number of faculty positions in physics and astronomy grew by about 1% a year, from 8200 to 9000 total, with the largest chunk in PhD-granting departments. In 2000, 11% of faculty positions in PhD departments were non-tenure track or temporary; in 2004, that percentage was 18%.

The numbers of African American and Hispanic faculty members are up, but their percentages remain tiny. African Americans make up 2% of physics faculty and 5% of faculty across all fields. Hispanics make up 3% of faculty in physics and across all fields. By contrast, some 10% of physics faculty members are Asian American, more than the 6% that group represents across all disciplines.

In 2004, women were hired into tenure-track or tenured positions at rates at least as high as past degree production, but even more were hired into instructor and adjunct positions.

These and related data may be found in 2004 Physics & Astronomy Academic Workforce. The report is on the Web at http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/facultytrends.html . Single copies may be obtained free of charge from AIP, Statistical Research Center, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740; e-mail stats@aip.org .