Assistant or Associate Professor - Physics

Job Summary The Physics Department at Southern Connecticut State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level specializing in Quantum Materials, Quantum Optics, Quantum Systems Engineering, or closely related fields. Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus-wide commitment to social justice. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of approximately 9,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, a city rich and vibrant with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston. The Physics Department is at the forefront of research excellence at this Carnegie-designated research-intensive R2 University and its faculty run the CSCU Center for Quantum and Nanotechnology, maintaining strong active collaborations with major research entities including Yale University, the University of Connecticut, and the public/private QuantumCT. The Physics Department is in the process of developing a new undergraduate program in Quantum Physics Engineering. The successful candidate will leverage existing facilities to build a robust, student-inclusive research program that contributes significantly to the development of the new major and amplifies Southern’s impact in developing a quantum workforce for the State of Connecticut.Example of Duties

The successful candidate will:

• Fulfill a nominal 12 credit-hour teaching load per semester (typically: 4 courses, where a lecture+lab section counts as 2 courses, and there are opportunities for research-focused reassigned time). Duties include teaching introductory physics lectures and labs as well as advanced undergraduate physics courses and graduate courses in specialized topics in quantum mechanics, quantum materials, or quantum optics.
• Establish an active research agenda focusing on quantum materials synthesis, emergent quantum phenomena, or experimental or theoretical quantum optics. Faculty must actively involve undergraduate and graduate students in their research.
• Assist in the development of Southern’s first engineering program, focused primarily on quantum engineering.
• Pursue external funding opportunities (such as NSF, DOE, or private foundations) to support lab infrastructure, instrumentation, and student stipends.
• Participate in academic advising for physics majors and contribute to departmental and university-wide committee service.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Education: A Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Materials Science, a Doctor of Engineering, or a Ph. D. in a closely related field is required at the time of appointment.
• Teaching and Mentoring: Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level, utilizing modern pedagogy and active learning strategies.
• Research Record: A strong record of peer-reviewed publications that include engineering aspects of quantum information science, condensed matter, photonics, quantum optics, or a closely-related field.

Preferred Strengths:

• Experience working with instrumentation common to nanotechnology or advanced optics (e.g., modern optics benches, thin-film deposition, characterization tools, high-frequency RF electronics).
• A clear plan to utilize and enhance the existing capabilities of the CSCU Center for Quantum and Nanotechnology and to grow that infrastructure in the future.
• Postdoctoral experience in the field and/or professional engineering experience.
• Strong commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the physics community

Supplemental Information The hiring range for this position:Assistant Professor: $81,150 – $94,675 Associate Professor: $100,044 – 116,718 An offer of employment, if made, will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s skill and experience, as determined by the University.

To apply: Complete the SCSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Cover Letter detailing interest and fit for SCSU.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Statement of Teaching and Mentoring Philosophy highlighting experience with individuals having diverse backgrounds.
• Research Plan (max 3 pages) specifically detailing how undergraduate and M.S.-level students will be integrated into quantum materials/optics projects.
• Names and contact information for three professional references.

For best consideration, complete applications should be received by January 12, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

Benefits

Southern Connecticut State University is a higher education agency of faculty, staff, and administrators within the State of Connecticut. As a State of Connecticut employee, a host of benefits are available but also may be portable should your career bring you to other avenues of state service. From paid holidays to accruing vacation time, being a State of Connecticut employee not only gives you the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, but the time to enjoy your own. Listed below are just some of the benefits the State of Connecticut offers depending on the position you hold:

• Health & Dental Insurance
• Accrued Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave
• Educational Benefits for Employees
• Retirement Plan
• Group Life Insurance
• Supplemental Benefits
• Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care Program, Medical Flexible Spending, and Qualified Transportation)
• Supplemental Benefits Programs (Auto and Home Insurance, plus Short and Long Term Disability)
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs (Free, Confidential Assessments and Short-Term Counseling)

Visit the SCSU HR Employee Benefits page for more details.