Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Job Summary

The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Purdue University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of theoretical atomic, molecular, and optical physics, to begin in August 2025. Applicants with expertise in quantum optics best fit current departmental needs, but applicants in all areas of theoretical AMO will be fully considered. Faculty are expected to establish a research program supported by extramural funding. Faculty will teach physics courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. Faculty are also expected to participate in student advising as well as service to the department and university.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a PhD in physics or other closely related fields.

The Department and College

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has 60 tenured and tenure-track professors, 200 graduate students, and 280 undergraduates. The Department is engaged in research in astrophysics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, biological physics, condensed matter, high energy, nuclear physics, and physics education, as well as university-wide multidisciplinary research in data science, nanoscience, photonics, and quantum information science. The Department benefits from the resources and support in Purdue University’s Discovery Park and its interdisciplinary centers, particularly the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute (PQSEI) and Birck Nanotechnology Center (BNC). The Rosen Center for Advanced Computing manages several types of supercomputers available to faculty and students.

For more information, see https://www.physics.purdue.edu/. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is part of the College of Science, which comprises the physical, computing and life sciences at Purdue. It is the second-largest college at Purdue with over 350 faculty and more than 6000 students. With multiple commitments of significant investment and strong alignment with Purdue leadership, the College is committed to supporting existing strengths and enhancing the scope and impact of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Purdue itself is one of the nation’s leading land-grant universities, with an enrollment of over 52,000 students primarily focused on STEM subjects. For more information, https://www.purdue.edu/purduemoves/stem-leadership.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit an application electronically to https://careers.purdue.edu/job/Assistant-Professor-of-Physics-and-Astronomy/33721-en_US/ that includes (1) a cover letter, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) a statement of teaching philosophy, and (4) a statement of present and future research plans (4-page limit). Additionally, applicants should arrange for at least 3 letters of reference to be e-mailed to the Search Chair at amosearch@purdue.edu  Questions regarding the position and search may be directed to Francis Robicheaux at robichf@purdue.edu.

Applications completed by January 5, 2025 will be given full consideration, although the search will continue until the position is filled. A background check is required for employment in this position.

Purdue University is an EEO/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

About Purdue University

Physics explores the fundamental mysteries of nature...from how the universe was created, to how biological systems function, to how to create new forms of matter. The strength of Purdue's physics department is its internationally recognized research in the areas of astrophysics, high energy physics, geophysics, nanophysics, nuclear physics, sensor technology, biophysics and more. How chlorophyll and hemoglobin work, the structure of black holes, the search for fundamental particles, the precise dating of Stonehenge, and new sensors for homeland defense are a few of the topics that drive the research in our department.

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