Assistant Professor of Physics

Middletown, CT (Main Campus)

Full time

R101237

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS

Special Instructions to Applicants: You will be asked to upload electronic versions of the following items: (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a teaching statement, and (4) a research statement outlining how your research will operate at Wesleyan. In the cover letter, applicants should describe how they will embrace the college’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community.

You will also be asked to provide the email addresses of three referees from whom we may obtain confidential letters of recommendation (please double-check the accuracy of the email addresses of the referees you name to ensure that we have the most up-to-date email addresses for each).

After applying, you will receive an email from Workday asking you to provide the contact information for your referees. At that point, each of your referees whose email addresses you have provided will receive an automatically generated email requesting that they submit a letter of reference for you.

Position Details: The Physics Department at Wesleyan University is seeking to fill a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level to begin on July 1, 2027. We invite applications from candidates who show promise in developing an independent, funded research program in quantum physics or the development and application of AI methods to physics, with research involving both graduate and undergraduate students. Research areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to, photonics, quantum information, quantum sensing, quantum optics, quantum materials, AI-enabled materials discovery and optimization, physical computing, and developing AI-driven solutions for physics applications. Candidates should consider how their research could create synergies with existing work in the physics department and other programs on campus. Candidates should be committed to a physics teaching philosophy that embraces modern pedagogy at all levels.

Wesleyan offers a unique opportunity to thrive in a PhD-granting department at a leading liberal arts university, providing significant institutional support in the form of start-up funds, renovated lab space, and graduate research assistants. Substantial machine shop, analytical instrumentation, and computational resources are available. Collegial faculty interaction includes career mentoring, participation in pedagogical innovation, and a shared commitment to promoting a welcoming community within physics and the University at large. The duties of this position encompass conducting an active research program, teaching one in-person course per semester, organizing a small seminar, advising and mentoring students, and participating in faculty governance at the departmental and university levels.

Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field in hand by the time of appointment to be hired as an Assistant Professor; a successful candidate may be hired as an Instructor if the candidate does not have a Ph.D. in hand at the time of appointment, but will complete the Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field within one year of hire.

Special consideration will be given to candidates with postdoctoral research experience or equivalent, and to those with teaching experience, which may include teaching as a graduate student.

Additional Information: Review of applications will begin on October 9, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Please contact Dana Gordon-Gannuscio at [email protected] if you have questions about the application.

The salary range for this position is between $93,500 and $98,500.

Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening (https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/pdfs/Wesleyan%20University%20Background%20Check%20Policy\_.pdf) to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html .

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html .

At Wesleyan, the work you do contributes to something larger. Our faculty and staff bring their creativity, expertise, curiosity, and diverse perspectives to a community committed to transformative education, discovery, creativity, and meaningful impact.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute their ideas, grow professionally, collaborate across disciplines and departments, and help shape an inclusive and dynamic university community. Whether you’re beginning your career or bringing years of experience, Wesleyan offers opportunities to do meaningful work alongside colleagues who value bold thinking, collaboration, and practical idealism.

Explore what it means to work (https://www.wesleyan.edu/about/directory/human-resources/why-work.html) at Wesleyan, discover the benefits (https://www.wesleyan.edu/about/directory/human-resources/benefits.html) , additional resources (https://wesleyan0.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/HumanResources-PublicResources/IgBSnnBoAiTPR5T6TloL6Yt2AfZ28YmwssygPcJ\_dfOJLlU?e=4kYmKZ) , and find an opportunity that’s right for you.

Already part of the Wesleyan community? Current employees should apply for open positions through Job Hubs in the Workday (http://workday.wesleyan.edu/) portal. There you’ll find a streamlined application designed specifically for internal applicants.