Two Tenure-Track Faculty Positions in Quantum Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy - UT

Description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of

Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) invites applications for two

tenure-track faculty positions in Physics to help build a new

interdisciplinary PhD and undergraduate program in Quantum

Information Science and Engineering. The positions will be at the

Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level, pre-tenure,

beginning January 1 or August 1, 2027. One of the tenure-track

positions requires a strong experimental background with particular

emphasis on quantum sensing and networking, while the

other is open to any area of Quantum Information Science that

aligns with the needs of the Physics Department (theoretical or

experimental).

Senior candidates are encouraged to apply for our Governor’s Chair

position (separate search). UTC is also in the process of hiring

Research Faculty to support our Quantum Center. The UTCQC is an

integral part of the rapidly emerging quantum techno-economic

ecosystem in Chattanooga that includes the Chattanooga Quantum

Collaborative (CQC). UTC’s focus is on use-inspired R&D in

QISE and on offering QISE educational programs at all levels.

Qualifications

Tenure-Track Position Description:

• Educational Requirement: A Ph.D. in Physics or a closely

related field, completed by the start date.

• Research Experience: Postdoctoral research experience is

strongly preferred.

• Teaching Experience: Prior teaching experience is

advantageous.

• Assistant or Associate: level at hire is negotiable, based on

experience.

• Teaching: Deliver a broad range of QISE and general physics

courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.

• Research: Establish and maintain a productive research program

involving both undergraduate and graduate students. Opportunities

for collaboration exist within the campus community, including the

UTC Quantum

Center , and with external institutions such as Oak Ridge

National Laboratory and the CQC.

• Instructional Modalities: Engage in various teaching methods,

including online instruction, to support UTC's strategic

goals.

Application Instructions

Application Process:

Applicants must submit a single PDF file electronically through the

UTC Faculty Career Site. The PDF file should be named in the format

"First name Last name Application" (e.g., Jane Smith Application)

and must include:

• A letter of interest.

• Current curriculum vitae (include names, titles, and email

addresses for three professional references on the last page).

• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

• A one-page statement of teaching philosophy.

• A description of research interests, including research

opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students (no more than

three pages).

Application Deadlines:

Complete applications received by September 8, 2026, will

receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue

until the positions are filled.

Department Highlights:

• Faculty Composition: The department comprises 8 faculty members

and 3 staff.

• Student Body: Approximately 30 physics majors enrolled across

four academic tracks (Physics, Biophysics, Quantum, and STEM

Education ).

• Experiential Learning: Renowned for high-quality undergraduate

education and research opportunities and a nationally-recognized

chapter in the Society of Physics Students.

• Quantum Network Infrastructure: UTC is distinguished as the

first university globally to have a permanent node on a commercial

fiber-optic metro-scale quantum network infrastructure in downtown

Chattanooga.

For more information about the department and its programs, please

visit the

Department of Physics and Astronomy | University of Tennessee at

Chattanooga .

For inquiries regarding the position, please contact the department

at CHPH@utc.edu .

About the University and the City of Chattanooga :

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one

of Tennessee’s largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model

for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many

regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment

with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree

programs and 55 graduate programs—at both the master's and doctoral

levels. UTC and Chattanooga—nationally recognized for its downtown

redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation—are inextricably

linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic

development efforts of the region and the state.

Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer

Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; Nursing; and

the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs

from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran

Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research

and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC

is the first and only university in the country with access to a

managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are

introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving

entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the

region.

From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national

reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as

a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and

partnerships create real impact.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section

504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and

employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will

receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and

will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color,

national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual

orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability,

or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color,

national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA

(disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status

should be directed to the

Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at (423)

425-5824. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be

directed to the ADA Coordinator in the

Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at (423)

425-5760.