Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Physics

San José State University • San Jose, CA

5d • $105,000 - $108,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at San José State University invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in quantum information science beginning in August 2027. Applicants must demonstrate the potential for developing an active research program, seeking external funding, and engaging in meaningful mentorship and engagement of undergraduate and masters students in their research. Applicants should also be committed to teaching lower division, upper division and graduate classes in physics and quantum information science.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is a team of dedicated teacher-scholars recognized for our commitment to excellent teaching, to engaging students in research projects, and to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in physics and in STEM disciplines more broadly. Our department grants bachelor’s degrees in physics, bachelor’s degrees in physics for teacher preparation, masters degrees in physics, and master's degrees in Quantum Technology (MSQT). Learn more about us at our website: https://www.sjsu.edu/physics/

The Department of Physics and Astronomy and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. We strive to provide an equitable, professional environment where we respectfully engage each other with empathy and compassion. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in physics or a related field.
• Candidates should demonstrate quantum information science (QIS) research experience that complements existing departmental experimental and theoretical expertise.
• Candidates should be familiar with a variety of contemporary, research-based teaching practices and be committed to teaching lower-division, upper-division, and graduate classes in physics and quantum information science.
• Candidates should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Nice To Haves

• Post-doctoral experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in writing grants for external funding, or demonstrated skills and preparation relevant to writing successful grant applications
• Demonstrate the potential for meaningful engagement of undergraduate and masters students in their proposed research.
• Documentation of excellent teaching at the university level.
• Experience with and commitment to service in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion in physics and/or STEM in general.
• Applicants should demonstrate that they are prepared for and enthusiastic about teaching a breadth of classes, which can include: upper-division labs, quantum mechanics, quantum information, quantum algorithms, statistical mechanics, and mathematical methods in physics.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses at the BS/BA and MS level, including upper division and graduate courses related to quantum information science.
• Engage undergraduate and graduate students in physics research, and to develop an externally funded research program that provides support and mentorship for these students.
• Participate in shared governance, usually on department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity—in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and academic preparation—through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.
• All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• Some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.
• Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety).
• The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Benefits

• Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule.
• Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $105,000- $108,000
• Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.
• Excellent benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree