It is UTRGV’s Vision “To be one of the nation’s leaders in higher education, its premier Hispanic-serving institution, and a highly engaged bilingual university, with exceptional educational, research, and creative opportunities that serve as catalysts for transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.” As such, UTRGV is committed to building a diverse faculty that can contribute to an enriching learning environment that strives for more equitable outcomes for student success.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students.

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s diverse student body as Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invites applications for a Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics beginning September 1, 2021. This hiring initiative focuses on the areas of quantum optics, single-photon optics, and quantum information science (e.g., qubits). Candidates for this position are expected to strengthen and complement our current research program in experimental and theoretical AMO Physics. They will establish independent research programs that successfully attract extramural funding, actively contribute to departmental development, and engage in innovative teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The position offers excellent start-up funds, salary, and laboratory space in a dynamic and highly interactive research environment.

Researchers in the Department of Physics and Astronomy maintain state-of-the-art facilities in AMO Physics. A Pioneer-Two electron beam lithography and scanning electron microscope, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy system, physical property measurement system, cryogenic testing, RF measurement and design facilities, laser and optics laboratories, and metal, ABS and resin 3D printers are among the facilities open for collaboration.

UTRGV is the newest member of the University of Texas System with major campuses in Brownsville, Edinburg, and Harlingen. The Department of Physics and Astronomy currently has 23 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and several lecturers, graduate students, and post-doctoral scholars. The department has strong research programs in gravitational wave, radio and optical astronomy, applied optics and lasers, nanoscience, nanotechnology and nano photonics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, computational physics, nuclear/high energy theory, and physics education. There are six state-of-the-art laboratories funded by the NSF, NASA, DoD, US Air Force, and NIH. The department offers B.S. and M.S. degrees, as well as PhDs in collaboration with other UT institutions. Additionally, the department is anticipating launching its own Physics Ph.D. program which is currently at the final stages of approval.

As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, UTRGV is committed to preparing its students to succeed, contribute and excel in an increasingly diverse, global, and interconnected world, and seeks faculty who are prepared to help in this goal.

A Ph.D. in Physics or related field and postdoctoral experience are required. Successful candidates will demonstrate potential for forming interdisciplinary collaborations and the ability to involve both undergraduate and graduate students in research activities.

Applicants should provide evidence of strong productivity and leadership in research. Externally funded research and teaching experience are considered a plus.

This hiring initiative focuses on the areas of quantum optics, single-photon optics, and quantum information science (e.g., qubits). Candidates for this position are expected to strengthen and complement our current research program in experimental and theoretical AMO Physics.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. UTRGV promotes and ensures equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. Our University is committed to complying with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in our education programs and activities, including employment.

An eligible veteran, surviving spouse of a veteran or an orphan of a veteran is entitled to preference in the selection process over other applicants who do not have greater qualifications. Further, we grant an employment preference to former foster youth who were in the permanent managing conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on the day preceding the individual’s 18th birthday over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification.

We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Department of Physics and Astronomy website: www.utrgv.edu/physics/

Dear Applicant,
Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:
*Date of Birth
*Social Security Number
*Gender
*Ethnicity/Race

Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission.

Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application.

Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

The expected starting date of the position is September 1, 2021. Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, and the names & contact information of at least three references. In addition, applicants should submit a detailed research plan, including major equipment and start-up funding required for an operational laboratory. Letters of references will be requested from short-listed candidates. Diversity statement describing how he/she would promote an environment of diversity and inclusion through his/her different activities.Complete applications should be submitted online at http://careers.utrgv.edu. Electronic inquiries may be directed to Andreas.Hanke@utrgv.edu. Applications should be received by January 24, 2021 to receive full consideration. Evaluations of the applicants will begin on January 25, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.

Please Note Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.