Assistant or Associate Professor - Advanced and Quantum Sensing for Geoscience and Energy Systems

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston System invites applications for a Presidential Frontier Faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank in Advanced and Quantum Sensing for Geoscience and Energy Systems. This interdisciplinary role aims to translate sensing technologies into impactful geoscience and energy applications.

Applicants should demonstrate potential for an externally funded program, collaboration within UH, and contributions to energy research, subsurface monitoring, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in geosciences, physics, engineering, or related field by appointment

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain a nationally competitive research program with externally funded grants
• Publish in peer‑reviewed journals and mentor graduate and undergraduate students
• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses integrating theory with practical applications
• Collaborate across UH and external partners in energy, subsurface monitoring, and interdisciplinary sensing initiatives

Job description

Department: Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Salary: Commensurate with experience

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) at the University of Houston invites applications for a Presidential Frontier Faculty (PFF) position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank in Advanced and Quantum Sensing for Geoscience and Energy Systems. The Presidential Frontier Faculty program is a university-wide interdisciplinary hiring campaign aimed at enhancing the UH research enterprise by integrating the strengths of existing faculty and infrastructure with strong early career new faculty hires.

This interdisciplinary position is intended to translate emerging sensing technologies into high-impact geoscience, environmental, infrastructure, and/or energy applications. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, quantum-based or advanced sensing technologies applied to wellbores, surface, subsurface, airborne, spaceborne, laboratory, or infrastructure environments.

Preferred candidates will have experience in the application of AI and machine learning methods for processing and interpreting these sensing data to solve challenging geoscience problems in mineral exploration, hydrocarbon and geothermal energy, groundwater systems, environmental monitoring and geological carbon storage, natural and induced seismicity, fracture and fault-zone monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, planetary mission payloads, rock and fluid characterization, and other subsurface energy systems. Candidates are not required to specialize in quantum-device fabrication but should demonstrate the ability to connect advanced or quantum-enabled sensing methods with significant geoscience and energy problems. The hire will join a growing campus-wide quantum effort, including two other concurrent quantum science-themed searches in the Departments of Physics and Computer Science.

The successful candidate will be expected to build active collaborations within and beyond the University, develop and sustain a nationally competitive, externally funded research program, publish research results in peer-reviewed literature, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and teach graduate and undergraduate courses that connect foundational theory with practical applications. The candidate will contribute to the University of Houston's growing strengths in energy research, subsurface monitoring, geophysics, advanced sensing, and interdisciplinary research.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in geosciences, physics, engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Evidence of research excellence and the potential to develop a high-impact, collaborative program in advanced and quantum sensing for geoscience and energy systems is required. The anticipated start date is Fall 2027. Rank will be commensurate with experience.

EAS welcomes candidates whose records in research, teaching, mentoring, and professional or community engagement demonstrate the potential to contribute to the Department and College's commitment to excellence. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate across colleges and departments of University of Houston.

More information about the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is available at https://www.uh.edu/nsm/earth-atmospheric/.

Employees are expected to have a home address in the state of Texas for the duration of their appointments.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions.