Assistant Professor of Physics (Two Open Positions)

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is hiring two tenure-track Assistant Professors of Physics as part of a materials science and engineering cluster hire coordinated by the Arkansas Materials Institute. The Physics positions focus on molecular beam epitaxy and scanning tunneling microscopy, and on quantum materials and devices. The cluster is part of a university investment in materials research areas that include artificial intelligence, quantum materials, energy, biosystems, electronics, and photonics. The positions are expected to begin in Fall 2027.

New faculty will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Physics and Materials Science, conduct research, and contribute academic service. They will have access to Arkansas Materials Institute shared facilities, including a cleanroom, electron microscopy, an x-ray facility, and electrical and optical characterization resources; the MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry and its expert staff; NSF MRI proposal support; national laboratory user facilities; and industry partnerships. Each hire will join the Arkansas Materials Institute Early-Career Faculty Cohort, which offers professional development and connections with mentors and collaborators across two colleges, complementing departmental mentoring.

The Department of Physics has research strengths in nanoscience and quantum materials, condensed matter physics, computational physics, quantum optics and quantum information, astrophysics, and biophysics, including neuro-physics. Faculty mentor graduate and undergraduate students. The appointment’s stated duty allocation is 40% teaching or professional performance, 40% research/scholarly or creative activities, and 20% academic service. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a designated research position regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025; additional background information and review may be required before an employment offer is issued.

Requirements

• Terminal degree in Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education, conferred by the date of initial appointment.
• Demonstrated potential for outstanding teaching and mentoring at the graduate and/or undergraduate level.
• Demonstrated potential for research excellence, or evidence of an active research agenda and scholarly activity, focused on molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), or quantum devices.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and/or cross-campus collaborations.
• Strong record of successful publications and a record or experience in external funding in the position’s thematic and/or methodological areas.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective undergraduate and graduate classes that complement the current course catalog.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in independent research.
• Evidence of the ability to be an active, involved, and collegial member of a collaborative faculty team on campus and in relevant national service organizations.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Physics and Materials Science.
• Conduct research and scholarly or creative activities focused on molecular beam epitaxy and scanning tunneling microscopy, or quantum devices.
• Perform academic service activities.
• Mentor students; the department notes that almost all faculty mentor both graduate and undergraduate students.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5% to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

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