SME- Physics - Grades 9 to 12

Role Summary :

The Physics Subject Matter Expert will provide academic leadership for the development, review, and enhancement of the Physics curriculum for Grades 9–12 , aligned with the CBSE framework and the academic objectives of the school.

The role requires deep disciplinary expertise and a strong understanding of how students progressively develop conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, scientific inquiry, experimentation, and problem-solving from the secondary to senior secondary stage.

Responsibilities:

Curriculum Architecture:

• Lead the design and review of Physics curriculum, learning outcomes, scope and sequence, and progression for Grades 9–12.
• Establish a rigorous progression from foundational scientific concepts in the secondary years to advanced Physics in Classes XI–XII.
• Ensure alignment with CBSE curriculum expectations, competencies, learning outcomes, practical requirements, and assessment patterns.
• Build strong conceptual and mathematical foundations for senior secondary Physics and future academic pathways.
• Ensure appropriate balance between breadth, depth, conceptual understanding, application, and problem-solving.

Academic & Disciplinary Rigor :

• Ensure high levels of conceptual accuracy, mathematical rigour, scientific reasoning, and disciplinary depth.
• Develop students' ability to interpret physical phenomena through models, laws, principles, mathematical representations, and evidence.
• Identify and address common misconceptions and conceptual difficulties across Grades 9–12.
• Create meaningful connections between theoretical Physics, experimental evidence, technology, engineering, and contemporary scientific developments.

Pedagogy & Learning Design:

• Develop intellectually demanding learning experiences based on inquiry, investigation, modelling, experimentation, and problem-solving.
• Move students beyond formulaic learning towards conceptual reasoning, application, analysis, and transfer.
• Design learning experiences that progressively develop quantitative reasoning and mathematical fluency.
• Integrate simulations, demonstrations, laboratory investigations, data interpretation, and real-world applications where pedagogically appropriate.

Assessment & Academic Standards:

• Design and review competency-based assessments, examinations, question banks, investigative tasks, practical assessments, and marking schemes.
• Ensure alignment with CBSE assessment expectations while maintaining high academic standards.
• Assess conceptual understanding, numerical reasoning, application, scientific interpretation, experimental thinking, and higher-order cognitive skills.
• Establish appropriate levels of cognitive demand and academic progression from Grade 9 through Grade 12.
• Analyse assessment evidence to identify misconceptions, learning gaps, and opportunities for curriculum improvement.

Content & Resource Development :

• Develop and academically review student resources, teacher guides, problem sets, laboratory tasks, enrichment materials, simulations, and assessment resources.
• Ensure all content is scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, conceptually coherent, and aligned with CBSE expectations.
• Develop extension and enrichment opportunities for students aspiring towards competitive examinations and advanced study in STEM, where appropriate.

Teacher Academic Development:

• Provide subject-specific academic leadership and mentoring to Physics teachers.
• Design professional learning around conceptual pedagogy, misconceptions, mathematical reasoning, practical Physics, assessment, and CBSE expectations.
• Support teachers in translating curriculum intent into rigorous and engaging classroom practice.

Academic Benchmarking & Innovation:

• Stay current with CBSE curriculum developments, assessment reforms, Physics education research, and emerging STEM practices.
• Benchmark the curriculum against academically rigorous national and international programmes.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen scientific literacy, computational thinking, interdisciplinary connections, and higher-order problem-solving.

Candidate profile:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong academic understanding of Physics across the secondary and senior secondary levels.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, academic content, teaching, assessment, or subject leadership.
• Strong familiarity with the CBSE Physics curriculum and assessment framework for Classes IX–XII.

Knowledge & Skills:

Deep Subject Expertise, Curriculum Expertise, CBSE Acumen, Pedagogical Depth, Assessment Expertise, Academic Orientation, Analytical & Critical, Academic Leadership, Intellectual Curiosity.