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.