The Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy at Queen’s University invites applications for a Tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor with specialization in theoretical quantum optics or/and condensed matter physics, in research areas that complement the existing and growing strengths in the department. The preferred starting date is July 1, 2023. 

Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent degree completed at the start date of the appointment. The main criteria for selection are academic and teaching excellence. The successful candidate will provide evidence of high-quality scholarly output that demonstrates potential for independent research leading to peer assessed publications and the securing of external research funding, as well as strong potential for outstanding teaching contributions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and an ongoing commitment to academic and pedagogical excellence in support of the department’s programs and in support of promoting equity and diversity in physics. Candidates must provide evidence of an ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and student-centred environment. The successful candidate will also be expected to make contributions through service to the department, the Faculty, the University, and/or the broader community. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

People from across Canada and around the world come to learn, teach, and carry out research at Queen’s University. Faculty and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including prescription drug coverage, vision care, dental care, long term disability insurance, life insurance and access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program. You will also participate in a pension plan. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying employees, their spouses, and dependent children.   We recognize that recruiting and retaining faculty may involve considerations of spouses and domestic partners. To that end, the university provides assistance for partners seeking employment through the Faculty Recruitment and Support Program and where possible will attempt to accommodate the needs of partners of members of the faculty. Queen’s values families and is pleased to provide a ‘top up’ to government parental leave benefits for eligible employees on maternity/parental leave.  In addition, Queen’s provides partial reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for employees with dependent children in daycare. Details are set out in the Queen’s-QUFA Collective Agreement. For more information on employee benefits, see Queen’s Human Resources.

Additional information about Queen’s University can be found on the Faculty Recruitment and Support website. The University is situated on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe, in historic Kingston on the shores of Lake Ontario. Kingston’s residents enjoy an outstanding quality of life with a wide range of cultural, recreational, and creative opportunities. Visit Inclusive Queen’s for information on equity, diversity and inclusion resources and initiatives.

Queen's University is one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities. The Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy at Queen's University has 33 full-time Faculty working in the areas of condensed matter physics and optics, engineering and applied physics, astronomy and astrophysics, and particle astrophysics.

The successful candidate for this position will be a theoretical or computational physicist with a research program that complements and extends the existing research activities of the Queen’s quantum optics and condensed matter physics group.  Condensed matter physics and optics (CMPO) deals with fundamental questions about how matter is organized and how it interacts with light. CMPO explores deep fundamental physics questions, while providing new platforms for emerging technologies such as nanophotonic cavities, semiconductor devices, quantum dots, topological systems and research areas of relevance to the emerging second quantum revolution.  The successful candidate will amplify Queen’s strengths in quantum research.  Researchers at Queen’s perform pure and applied research, with core research strength in quantum and nonlinear optics, waveguide QED, quantum sensing, nanophotonics, neuromorphic computing, soft condensed matter, surface science, two-dimensional materials, laser machining, organic and inorganic opto-electronic devices, spintronics, and scanning probe microscopy. Faculty have ready access to major shared infrastructure at Queen's, including the Centre for Advanced Computing, Nanofabrication Kingston, and collaborations with members of the Nanophotonic Research Centre, funded through a CFI Innovation Grant. The candidate is expected to contribute to major quantum science initiatives happening worldwide and in Canada through National Quantum Strategy, under which the federal government has committed $360M in funds.

Providing opportunities for junior faculty to develop a strong teaching and research profile and maintaining an environment where all faculty can thrive is our top priority. Support for course development and delivery is provided by the Department, the Queen’s Centre for Teaching and Learning, and the ‘First day to First Sabbatical’ program of the Faculty of Arts and Science. Support of junior faculty to develop strong research programs includes a significant Research Initiation Grant, grant writing workshops and review services, funding support for graduate students through the Queen’s Graduate Award program, and one-to-one mentorship from senior faculty members.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized/visible minority and Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

To comply with federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information as to how many applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens / permanent residents of Canada.  Applicants need not identify their country of origin or citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”; OR, “I am not a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”. Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.

In addition, the impact of certain circumstances that may legitimately affect a nominee’s record of research achievement will be given careful consideration when assessing the nominee’s research productivity. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

A complete application consists of:

• a cover letter (including one of the two statements regarding Canadian citizenship / permanent resident status specified in the previous paragraph);
• a current Curriculum Vitae (including a list of publications);
• a short statement of research interests, which should discuss potential research plans, collaborations and impact;
• a short statement of teaching interests, experience and vision which could include a discussion of mentorship;
• an equity, diversity, and inclusion statement that details how the candidate’s past and/or future contributions to diversity and inclusion will advance the University's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization (EDII). e recommend reviewing best practices for EDII in research as laid out by Canadian funding agencies here https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/nfrf-fnfr/edi-eng.aspx.
• Three letters of reference to be sent directly to Prof. Rob Knobel, physhead@queensu.ca

The first review of applications will begin on December 10, 2022 and will continue until a successful candidate is found.

Applicants are encouraged to send all documents in their application packages electronically in PDF format to Prof. Robert Knobel at physhead@queensu.ca , although hard copy applications may be submitted to:

Prof. Robert Knobel, Head,

The Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy

Stirling Hall

64 Bader Lane

Queen’s University

Kingston, Ontario

CANADA K7L 3N6 

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs.  If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Melissa Balson in The Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy, at 4mjb5@queensu.ca.

Academic staff at Queen’s University are governed by a Collective Agreement between the University and the Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA).

About Queen's University - Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy

Queen's University is one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities. The Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy at Queen's University has 33 full-time Faculty working in the areas of condensed matter physics and optics, engineering and applied physics, astronomy and astrophysics, and particle astrophysics.

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