Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Quantum Sciences

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Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Quantum Sciences

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Department of Physics at Colorado School of Mines (Mines) has an opening for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in the area of experimental solid state quantum devices, broadly defined. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering. The Physics department offers a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics, a M.S. degree in Applied Physics, and a Ph.D. degree in Physics. The department consists of 28 full-time faculty and hosts a large and thriving research program focusing on condensed matter and materials, quantum engineering, ultrafast optical and biological, and subatomic physics. Colorado School of Mines has one of the nation’s first interdisciplinary graduate programs in Quantum Engineering–the candidate for this position is expected to play a part in this growing program.

For this position, the candidate should be an experimentalist with a background in Physics or a related field, with a research focus on solid state quantum devices and/or quantum information. The department is particularly interested in candidates with research interests in quantum sensing and metrology or qubits and quantum computing, but other areas of experimental solid state quantum information science and engineering (QISE) will also be considered. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to productively collaborate with existing faculty at Mines (both within Physics and the broader campus community, particularly those affiliated with the Quantum Engineering program), have the strong potential to build a successful, externally funded research program, and have a clear passion for higher education. This position will support Mines being a top-of-mind university for students who are interested in both quantum engineering and fundamental physics. The appointment is expected to be at the tenure track Assistant Professor level, however exceptionally strong candidates at higher ranks will be considered.

Review of applications will begin on October 16, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. The desired start date is August 2024. For more information, please contact the search committee chair, Dr Eliot Kapit, at ekapit@mines.edu .

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain a successful and externally funded research program that will produce scholarly publications.
  
  
• Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
  
  
• Develop and deliver high-quality undergraduate and graduate physics courses with an emphasis on experimental laboratory courses and quantum science and engineering-related courses.
  
  
• Contribute to the Department, University, and professional communities through active service.
  
  
• Promote and contribute to an inclusive and diverse Mines community.
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. from an accredited program in Physics or a closely related field by the time the appointment begins.
  
  
• Record of publication at top-tier international conferences and/or journals in one or more of the search areas.
  
  
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
  
  
• Demonstrated understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in higher education and a commitment to addressing these issues through concrete action.
  
  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  
  
• Assistant Professor candidates must demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
  
  
• Associate and Full Professor candidates must have an established and currently funded research program with clear potential for continuance.In addition, Full Professor candidates should have an established international reputation.
  
  
• A proven track record of success in teaching is required for an appointment with tenure.
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Postdoctoral research experience
  
  
• Prior experience mentoring students in research.
  
  
• Demonstrated teaching ability at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
  
  
• Commitment to innovation in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
  
  
• Experience working with industry and/or national labs in QISE research.
  
  

ABOUT MINES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Colorado School of Mines, Colorado's oldest public university, premier engineering university, and an R1 institution, is located in Golden, Colorado: a historic gold rush-era town nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, 13 miles west of Denver and 21 miles south of Boulder. Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines has about 5600 undergraduate students and 1600 graduate students in a broad range of applied science and engineering disciplines. Mines maintains high-quality, well-funded research programs (~$88M in awards for fiscal year 2023) with strong participation from both graduate and undergraduate students. The 2023 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best National Universities ranks Mines as the top-ranked university in Colorado, and 38th in the category of Top Public Schools. In addition, in 2022 Mines was ranked 3rd on the list of best engineering colleges by Money Magazine. Mines has the highest admissions standards of any public university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the U.S. The School’s proximity to Denver and Boulder provides opportunities for significant collaboration with government labs (including NREL, NIST, NCAR, and NOAA), industry, and other universities. The Department of Physics is housed in the new CoorsTek Center for Applied Science and Engineering building, which is at the center of campus and has several new classrooms that are available to apply interactive and innovative teaching techniques. The Physics faculty are extremely research-active with national and international reputation.

More information can be found at http://physics.mines.edu , and at http://quantum.mines.edu .

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

COMPENSATION

Mines is offering an academic year salary rate in the below ranges. This salary may be further supplemented during summer and winter research periods, using funds drawn from external grants or other sources.

Assistant Professor: $93,565 - $101,500
Associate Professor: $107,000 - $116,900
Professor: $124,800 - $159,400

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

TOTAL REWARDS

Mines is proud to provide exceptional benefits that include pay, health & wellness and work/life balance offerings. Our portfolio of benefits includes fully paid medical and dental premiums, as well as vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Additionally, Mines employees are eligible for tuition benefits (for employees and dependents), generous paid holidays and leaves and discount programs. Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. Additionally, Mines’ leadership and innovation brings proximity and access to several research centers, consortia, agencies, labs and leading-edge technology. For more information, visit Mines benefits .

HOW TO APPLY

Review of applications will begin on October 16, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration apply by December 15th. The desired start date is August 2024.

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, and veteran status). References will not be collected or contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before contact is made. Applications must specify in the application package to which rank they are applying. Applicants will notice on the application form, there is only one location to upload all required materials. Further, once submitted, the applicant will not be able to edit their application. Applicants may submit their application as one combined document or as separate documents.

The application must include:

• a cover letter describing interest in the position,
  
  
• a curriculum vitae, a statement of research (up to 3 pages),
  
  
• a statement of teaching philosophy (up to 3 pages),
  
  
• a statement of contributions to diversity and inclusion (up to 3 pages),
  
  
• and a list of at least three references.
  
  

Research Statement:

Candidates should describe how their research relates to and complements research activities and expertise at Mines. The statement should cover both the candidate's past history of successful research as well as plans for future research at Mines, and plans for obtaining external funding for that future research. Candidates should also be sure to describe any transdisciplinary aspects of their research. (For more information, visit https://www.mines.edu/president/planning/ and https://research.mines.edu/ ).

Teaching Statement:

Mines is committed to high quality, hands-on and project-based learning. Additionally, Mines is growing its online MS non-thesis degree programs. Candidates should cover their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement:

Candidates should submit a statement on Contributions to Diversity and Inclusion. Mines is committed to access, inclusion, and diversity and is actively developing a strategic plan to advance Diversity, Inclusion and Access (for more information visit https://www.mines.edu/about/diversity ). The diversity and inclusion statement should describe your experience and proposed activities to advance access, inclusion, and diversity at Mines.

Please contact Kathleen Feighny, in Human Resources, at kfeighny@mines.edu with any questions.

Background Investigation Required: Yes

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