Assistant or Associate Professor - Applied Quantum Computing - (497145 )

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

Job summary

The University of Houston invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Applied Quantum Computing, Communication, Cybersecurity, and Quantum-Safe AI within the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Rank: Assistant or Associate Professor; Fall 2027 start, Houston campus.

The successful candidate will build a cross-disciplinary research program bridging quantum technologies, AI, cybersecurity, and industry partnerships, with potential collaboration across multiple UH units

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in a related field at appointment time.
• Evidence of potential for externally funded, internationally recognized research.
• Ability to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels; mentor students.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead externally funded research programs across quantum topics.
• Collaborate across UH departments and external partners.
• Contribute to teaching, mentoring, and service within ECE and UH.

Skills

External funding

Teaching

Mentoring

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Quantum computing knowledge

Education

PhD in EE/CE/CS/Physics/Applied Math/Financial Eng

Job description

Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering Salary: Commensurate withexperience/education

Description:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Houston (UH) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Applied Quantum Computing, Communication, Cybersecurity, and Quantum-Safe Artificial Intelligence at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. The successful candidate will be appointed at the Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenure-eligible) rank, based on experience and qualifications. The tenure home will be in ECE, with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with the Department of Computer Science in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the C. T. Bauer College of Business, the HPE DataScience Institute, and other relevant programs across UH.

Quantum computing is rapidly transitioning from a predominantly laboratory-based research area into a cloud-accessible technology platform through investments by Amazon, Google, Microsoft, IBM, NVIDIA, and other technology leaders. While substantial advances have been made in quantum hardware and algorithms, an important gap remains between emerging quantum capabilities and their practical deployment in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, financial engineering, retail, logistics, and enterprise computing. The successful candidate will develop an application-driven research program that bridges foundational quantum technologies and real-world users, integrating quantum algorithms, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, communications, optimization, and financial engineering. The position is intended to create a bridge between leading technology providers and application-driven users in industry, including retail, logistics, Texas industries requiring advanced cybersecurity and secure computing, and financial and quantitative trading organizations.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish an internationally recognized, externally funded research program; develop collaborations spanning Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Data Science; pursue major multi-investigator and center-scale funding opportunities; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; mentor graduate and undergraduate students; and contribute to the educational and research missions of UH. This strategic hire will also support workforce development through the UH Katy expansion, the CEA Financial Engineering minor, and future development of a Financial Engineering track within the ECE M.S. program.

Relevant research areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Quantum computing and quantum algorithms
• Quantum machine learning and quantum-enhanced AI
• Quantum communications and networking
• Quantum-safe cybersecurity and post-quantum cryptography
• Secure and trustworthy AI
• Privacy-preserving computing
• Cloud quantum computing
• Quantum optimization and decision systems
• Financial engineering and quantitative finance
• Portfolio optimization and risk modeling
• Algorithmic trading and financial forecasting
• Supply-chain and logistics optimization
• High-performance and heterogeneous computing

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university located in one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. ECE maintains a strong and growing research portfolio, extensive interdisciplinary collaborations, and a strong record of graduate education, research translation, and industry engagement.

UH is located in Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, with access to a major industrial base, the Texas Medical Center, NASA, and a broad technology and innovation ecosystem. Houston offers exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, commercialization, and workforce development.

The department seeks outstanding candidates with the potential for exceptional research, excellence in teaching, and effective mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualifications:

Applicants must possess an earned doctorate in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, financial engineering, or another closely related field at the time of appointment.

Candidates should demonstrate strong potential for developing an externally funded, internationally recognized research program at the intersection of quantum technologies, AI, cybersecurity, communications, or application-driven quantum computing.

For appointment at the Associate Professor level, candidates should have a demonstrated record of research excellence, external funding, scholarly impact, teaching, and professional leadership commensurate with appointment at that rank.

Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated research support or significant engagement with NSF Quantum Information Science programs, DOE quantum initiatives, DARPA, NIST cybersecurity programs, or industry-supported quantum computing, cybersecurity, AI, or financial technology initiatives.

Anticipated Start Date:

Fall 2027, or as negotiated.

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 EqualOpportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.