Assistant Professor in Biological Physics (tenure-track)

About the role

The position is a joint appointment between the Department and the Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology. The tenure home of the person holding this position is in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the faculty member will report to the Chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department. During the academic year the faculty member may be asked to give seminars on their work and is expected to present their research at national and/or international conferences. The faculty member will teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and will be expected to encourage, and as appropriate participate in, the research and mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral associates. The faculty member will participate in departmental, university and professional service. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program characterized by originality and long-term vision, while also contributing to excellence in teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The new hire is expected to actively participate in the Department's expanding Biological Physics program, including being a mentor in the Department's Biological Physics PhD concentration, and also collaborate closely with members of the Laufer Center. The Laufer Center has strong research programs in molecular biophysics, cell biology, network biology, synthetic biology, drug discovery and the application of AI in biophysics. In addition, there are opportunities to collaborate with the departments of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Applied Math & Statistics, Neurobiology & Behavior and Chemistry, as well as the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP), the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics (SCGP), and major facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory. These connections offer rich opportunities for joint initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Give seminars on their work
• Present research at national and/or international conferences
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in the Department of Physics and Astronomy
• Encourage and participate in the research and mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral associates
• Participate in departmental, university and professional service
• Establish a vigorous, externally funded research program characterized by originality and long-term vision
• Contribute to excellence in teaching and mentoring at undergraduate and graduate levels
• Actively participate in the Department's expanding Biological Physics program, including mentoring in the Biological Physics PhD concentration
• Collaborate closely with members of the Laufer Center
• Collaborate with the departments of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Applied Math & Statistics, Neurobiology & Behavior and Chemistry, as well as the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, and major facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Biophysics, Chemical Physics or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent research
• Demonstrated track record of publication of research in high quality peer-reviewed journals and delivery of presentations at major conferences
• Clear and concise oral and written communication and interpersonal and analytical skills

Skills

• Expert knowledge in relevant theoretical or computational physics, biophysics or mathematical modeling of biological systems on the cell or molecular level
• Research expertise in a field that complements and enhances existing strengths in the department
• Previous mentoring and teaching experience
• Experience working with a broad student population and the ability to foster academic excellence, collaboration, and a respectful learning environment
• Experience supporting students from varied backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to advancing teaching, research, and service in ways that strengthen the academic community