Assistant Professor in Quantum Information

About the role

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Quantum Information Theory, with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027. The successful candidate will develop an innovative research program in theoretical quantum information science and quantum computing, broadly construed, and complement existing theoretical and experimental strengths at UTK and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Responsibilities

• Establish a vigorous, externally funded research program.
• Supervise graduate and undergraduate researchers.
• Contribute to the department's graduate and undergraduate teaching missions.
• Participate in the continued development of quantum information science research and education at UTK.
• Build intellectual connections across different layers of quantum science and technology.
• Link fundamental quantum information concepts to realistic devices, architectures, experiments, or applications.

Requirements

• Hold a Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated research expertise in theoretical quantum information science, broadly construed.
• Record of research accomplishments appropriate to career stage.

Qualifications

• Potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program of high quality.
• Potential for effective teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Potential for successful mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students.
• Ability to contribute effectively to a collaborative research and educational environment within the Department of Physics and Astronomy and across the broader quantum science community at UTK and ORNL.

Benefits

• Access to substantial computational resources.
• Proximity to unique research facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
• Campus located in a beautiful area with easy access to inland waterways, state and national parks.
• Diverse cultural opportunities and a blend of convenient urban and rural living settings.
• Downtown Knoxville offers restaurants, shops, indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, and hosts events such as the Knoxville Symphony, Knoxville Opera, Big Ears Music Festival, Jazz on the Square, Shakespeare on the Square, etc.
• Rich environment for quantum science with faculty across Physics and Astronomy and other departments pursuing related research.
• Extensive collaborations with ORNL, including the Quantum Science Center, and interdisciplinary collaborations across the university.
• Opportunities to develop collaborations spanning fundamental physics, computation, engineering, and emerging quantum technologies.