Assistant Professor in Physics (experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical-AMO)

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley • Edinburg, TX

53d

About The Position

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics and Quantum Information (e.g., qubits) of the Department of Physics and Astronomy beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. Responsibilities of the position include delivering instruction in physics at the undergraduate, Master's, and Ph.D. levels, conducting research, attracting extramural funding, and participating in service activities within the department, college, university, and community. About UTRGV: UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service. Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website. Department/CollegeBackground The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invites applications for a Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics beginning Fall 2026. This hiring initiative focuses on the areas of quantum optics, single-photon optics, and quantum information science (e.g., qubits). Candidates for this position are expected to strengthen and complement our current AMO Physics research program. They will establish independent research programs that successfully attract extramural funding, actively contribute to departmental development, and engage in innovative teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The position offers excellent start-up funds, salary, and laboratory space in a dynamic and highly interactive research environment. Researchers in the Department of Physics and Astronomy maintain state-of-the-art facilities in AMO Physics. A Pioneer-Two electron beam lithography and scanning electron microscope, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy system, physical property measurement system, cryogenic testing, RF measurement and design facilities, laser and optics laboratories, and metal, ABS and resin 3D printers are among the facilities open for collaboration. UTRGV is the newest member of the University of Texas System with major campuses in Brownsville, Edinburg, and Harlingen. The Department of Physics and Astronomy currently has 30 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and 16 professional-track faculty, 29 graduate students, and 3 post-doctoral scholars. The department has strong research programs in gravitational waves, radio and optical astronomy, applied optics and lasers, nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanophotonics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, computational physics, nuclear/high energy theory, and physics education. Six state-of-the-art laboratories are funded by the NSF, NASA, DoD, US Air Force, and NIH. The department offers B.S. and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, UTRGV is committed to preparing its students to succeed, contribute, and excel in an increasingly diverse, global, and interconnected world, and seeks faculty who are prepared to help in this goal.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Physics or a related field and postdoctoral experience are required.
• Successful candidates will demonstrate potential for forming interdisciplinary collaborations and the ability to involve both undergraduate and graduate students in research activities.
• Applicants should provide evidence of strong productivity and leadership in research related to experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics.

Nice To Haves

• This hiring initiative focuses on the areas of experimental quantum optics, single-photon optics, and quantum information science (e.g., qubits).
• Candidates for this position are expected to strengthen and complement our current research program in experimental AMO Physics
• Externally funded research and teaching experience are considered a plus.

Responsibilities

• delivering instruction in physics at the undergraduate, Master's, and Ph.D. levels
• conducting research
• attracting extramural funding
• participating in service activities within the department, college, university, and community
• establish independent research programs
• actively contribute to departmental development
• engage in innovative teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees