Description

The Department of Physics at San Diego State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Condensed Matter Theory, starting Fall 2025. The department seeks a theorist with a strong record of research accomplishment in first-principles theoretical/computational methods, including density functional theory. The research focus can be in several areas of current interest, including but not restricted to quantum and topological materials, novel electronic, magnetic and optical behaviors, exotic phases, strongly correlated systems, and quantum information. The Department offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physics and a Ph.D. in computational science jointly with the University of California at Irvine.

The minimum salary for this position is based on the current CSU salary schedule for Assistant Professors and may be revised based on contract collective bargaining. The anticipated salary range is from $94,000 to $97,000. Salary placement will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, and a salary higher than the published maximum may be offered in limited circumstances. San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For benefits information, click here.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in physics or related field and postdoctoral experience. A strong record of scholarly publications is expected. The successful candidate is expected to pursue vigorously external funding to support his/her research with both undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and be comfortable with all aspects of teaching our physics curriculum. Information on the Department and its various programs can be found at https://physics.sdsu.edu.

The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to the ongoing departmental research and teaching efforts in quantum information science (QIS), such as the newly planned 4+1 BS-MS Program.

We are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Candidates must satisfy three or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please indicate in a separate diversity statement how you meet at least three (3) of these criteria. As examples, mentoring students from underrepresented populations, involvement with campus committees that advance underrepresented populations, reflections on how one's own experience as a member of an underrepresented community has impacted one's teaching or research, use of inclusive pedagogical methods as described in the teaching statement, and application of ideas learned in relevant professional learning workshops are possible ways to satisfy some of these criteria.

SDSU is the oldest institution of higher education in the San Diego region, with a campus in San Diego serving 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students and additional locations in Southern California’s Imperial Valley and Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia. SDSU is included in the Carnegie Foundation’s Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity category. Established in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor degrees in 97 areas, masters in 84 and doctorates in 23. See http://www.sdsu.edu for more information. SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university, an Asian-Native American-Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all.

Application Instructions

Apply via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/157466 .

Candidates should submit (a) a cover letter, (b) curriculum vitae, (c) research plan, (d) a statement of teaching interests, (e) copies of up to 5 recent publications, (f) a detailed description of the anticipated startup funds, (e) a diversity statement, and (f) a list of three references who will upload letters of reference to Interfolio.

Review of applications will begin on December 31, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Questions should be directed to physics@sdsu.edu.

As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.