Associate Professor of Physics (Quantum Technology)

Associate Professor of Physics (Quantum Technology)

University of Oxford - Department of Physics

Oxford, United Kingdom

Overview of the post

The Department of Physics and Balliol College are recruiting an Associate Professor (or Professor) of Atomic and Laser Physics (Experimental Quantum Science and Technology). This post will be held in the Department of Physics, together with a Tutorial Fellowship at Balliol College.

This is an opportunity to develop a world-leading research programme in experimental quantum science and technology with atoms, ions, molecules, photons, or similar quantum systems. The successful candidate will also teach at undergraduate and graduate level and participate in administration of both Balliol College and the Department of Physics.

Duties of the post

The Associate Professor will develop a world-leading research programme in experimental quantum science and technology with atoms, ions, molecules, photons, or similar quantum systems. We aim for a person who can engage strongly with a significant proportion of the ongoing quantum-technology related activities in Oxford. This includes the prospect for collaborations with numerous research groups in atomic and laser physics and condensed matter physics, possible associations with the QCI3 quantum Hub, the NQCC in Harwell, and the new Oxford Quantum Institute. The post is well aligned with Oxford’s overall strategy in quantum information, quantum computing, quantum simulation and quantum optics.

State-of-the-art laboratories are available in the Beecroft building. The successful candidate is expected to complement the expertise of existing faculty members (Cavalleri, Daley, Ekert, Foot, Jaksch, Jones, Kuhn, Lucas, Lvovsky, Smith, Steane, Vedral, Walmsley), to direct a thriving world-leading research programme, and to fully engage in running a highly successful department.

Besides teaching for the undergraduate course and the delivery of tutorials at the Collegiate level, a strong engagement and contribution to our new Master’s course in Quantum Technologies is expected.

The post holder will teach at undergraduate and graduate level and participate in administration. On behalf of the College, they will have responsibility for admission, teaching of undergraduates and support of graduates, and pastoral care of students reading degrees in Physics. They will play a role in the running of the College as a trustee and a member of its Governing Body.

The successful candidate will hold a doctorate in physics or a related subject and will have a proven record of internationally leading research in experimental quantum science and technology. They will be an excellent teacher at undergraduate and graduate level and have excellent written and spoken English and the interpersonal skills necessary to engage with students and colleagues at all levels.

The main duties of the post are as follows:

Research

• Establish/maintain your own research group in the field of experimental quantum science and technology with atoms, ions, molecules, photons, or similar quantum systems. Foster a collaborative, inclusive and supportive research environment among all staff and students;
• Develop and submit competitive grant proposals to support your own research and contribute to the growth of distinctive areas of expertise in the Department and the wider University. This includes interdisciplinary research within the QCI3 quantum hub, the OQI, and possible collaborations with the NQCC and related industrial partners;
• Maintain a successful publication record (appropriate to the stage of career, and accounting for career breaks) and disseminate your group’s research through participation in international conferences and seminars, and other media;
• Engage in activities to enable your research to have wider impact beyond academia, using innovative methods and collaborating with external stakeholders (which could include other educational organisations, governments, NGOs or civil society).

Teaching and Supervision

• Contribute to the ongoing development, improvement and diversification of the undergraduate curriculum within the department; deliver lectures, undertake laboratory demonstrating; supervise 4th-year undergraduate and doctoral students, and participate in examining, marking and assessment as appropriate;
• Supervise graduate students and Post-doctoral researchers, and take responsibility for the pastoral care of undergraduate and graduate students studying Physics within the department;
• Contribute to the delivery of the graduate classes in Physics;
• Contribute to the delivery of taught master courses, such as the Master Course in Quantum Technologies (MQTech).

General duties

• Embed the principles of mutual respect, equality, diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of your work and in interactions with colleagues; undertake training as and when asked to do so;
• Ensure all lab, field and office work is undertaken safely and that your team has a proactive approach to safety and to mental and physical health;
• Engage positively with the Department and play an active role in the administration and governance of the Department;
• Take part in the University examining as and when requested to do so.

For the College, the post-holder will be expected to:

• Engage in advanced study and research;
• Take responsibility (shared with other Tutors) for the selection and teaching of undergraduates in Physics at the College;
• At the College, teach undergraduates, in tutorials or small groups, averaging six contact hours per week over three eight-week terms, a range of courses in Years 1-3 of the Oxford Physics degrees. The successful candidate can expect to be required to teach current courses in Quantum and Atomic & Laser physics. Tutorials consist of an hour of academic discussion between tutor and students, and tutors are expected to mark written work as part of each tutorial;
• Coordinate, set and mark College termly exams (Collections), monitoring student progress, and writing termly reports on students’ work, and organising, where necessary, teaching by specialist colleagues in other colleges;
• Have responsibility for the pastoral care of students studying Physics within the College (alongside the College Welfare Team) and act as College Advisor to a small number of graduate students at the College;
• Engage in undergraduate admissions, and help to promote the college to prospective applicants, particularly from under-represented groups;
• Participate in access initiatives and Open Days;
• Assess and select a limited number of graduate applications for college graduate places at Balliol;
• Serve as a Trustee of Balliol College (an educational charity), participate fully in the administrative work of the College, including attendance at Governing Body, service on College committees, and potentially taking on College offices.

Qualifications and Research

• Essential: A doctorate in an area relevant to experimental quantum science and technology;
• Essential: An internationally recognised academic and research record within the field of experimental quantum science and technology or on the trajectory to achieve this;
• Essential: A publication record that demonstrates impact within the field appropriate to your career stage, and accounting for career breaks or personal circumstances;
• Essential: The ability to develop an independent programme of research and attract and manage research funding;
• Essential: Excellent written and spoken English;
• Desirable: Excellent track record of obtaining research grants;
• Desirable: Experience of research collaborations at national and international level.

Teaching

• Essential: Commitment to teaching and ability to educate and inspire high-achieving students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, and covering a wide range of topics within the field of physics;
• Desirable: A creative approach to teaching;
• Desirable: Experience of supervising research students;
• Desirable: Experience of classroom or tutorial teaching.

Personal effectiveness

• Essential: The ability to support and guide a research group of post-doctoral staff and research students, and help them to develop into successful independent researchers;
• Essential: Communication and interpersonal skills enabling the formation of good working relationships with colleagues, students and collaborators;
• Essential: Ability and commitment to provide pastoral and academic support for students and researchers at all stages in their university career;
• Essential: Good citizenship and a willingness to undertake administrative duties (within reason) to support the smooth running of the Department and the College. A commitment to advocating for equality, diversity and inclusion in research, teaching and/or the broader community;
• Desirable: Achievement of impact of research beyond academia and a readiness to communicate to a wider public the central interest and importance of the field.