Assistant Professor of Experimental Physics (with research expertise in optics/quantum optics)

California State University, Fullerton; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Startup funds and laboratory space

Job summary

California State University, Fullerton invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in experimental physics with expertise in optics/quantum optics, to begin Fall 2027.

CSUF faculty are teacher-scholars who engage undergraduates and graduate students in research and education, with responsibilities to teach introductory and core courses and develop courses in their area of specialization; startup funds and laboratory space are provided.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, with expertise in experimental research.
• Research expertise in optics, quantum optics, or a related field.
• demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching
• a strong record of scholarly accomplishments
• ability to establish a self-supporting, active experimentalresearch program that will produce peer-reviewed publications and substantically include student co-authors
• ability to balance excellent teaching, scholarship, andservice
• demonstrated potential for effective integration of technologyinto instruction
• demonstrated commitment to working effectively with studentsfrom intersecting marginalized social groups

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach introductory and core courses in the discipline.
• Develop courses in their area of specialization.
• Produce research outputs commensurate with tenure, in particular involving undergraduate and master's students.
• Contribute to the life and development of the department, and participate in broader university and disciplinary communities.

Skills

Experimental physics

Optics

Quantum optics

Undergraduate teaching

Scholarly publications

Research program development

Technology in instruction

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Ph.D. in Physics

Job description

Assistant Professor of Experimental Physics (with research expertise in optics/quantum optics)

Department of Physics
College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Assistant Professor
Fall 2027

The Department of Physics at California State University,Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track AssistantProfessor position in experimental physics with expertise inoptics/quantum optics with an appointment to begin Fall 2027.

Optics and quantum opticsencompass the study and application of light and its interactionswith matter, ranging from classical optical phenomena to effectsthat require a quantum-mechanical description. Research in thesebroadly defined fields may include the generation, manipulation,propagation, detection, and characterization of light; light–matterinteractions; lasers and photonics; spectroscopy and imaging;nonlinear and ultrafast optics; optical materials and devices; andquantum phenomena involving photons, atoms, molecules, orsolid-state systems. Work may span fundamental investigations ofthe physical properties of light and matter through the developmentof new experimental techniques, optical technologies, sensors,communication and information-processing methods, and otherapplications enabled by classical or quantum opticalphenomena.

CSUF faculty are committed teacher/scholars who bring researchand creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs,research groups, and individually mentored projects. They teachbroadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, andserve on departmental and university-wide committees. The primaryresponsibilities of the person in this position will include thedevelopment and teaching of introductory and core courses in thediscipline and the development of courses in their area(s) ofspecialization. This person will also be responsible for producingresearch outputs commensurate with the requirements for tenure, inparticular involving undergraduate and master's students. Thesuccessful candidate will also be expected to contribute to thelife and development of the department, and participate in broaderuniversity and disciplinary communities.

This position includes a competitive salary package, startupresearch funds and laboratory space.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, with expertise in experimental research.
• Research expertise in optics, quantum optics, or a relatedfield.
• demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduateteaching
• a strong record of scholarly accomplishments
• ability to establish a self-supporting, active experimentalresearch program that will produce peer-reviewed publications and substantically include student co-authors
• ability to balance excellent teaching, scholarship, andservice
• demonstrated potential for effective integration of technologyinto instruction
• demonstrated commitment to working effectively with studentsfrom intersecting marginalized social groups

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the above minimum requirements, candidates should highlight evidence of their potential to excel in the department's three key areas of teaching, research, and service/outreach. Possible examples of potential include:

Teaching

• Prior teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduatelevel, including TA experience.
• Familiarity with current, research-based physicspedagogies.
• Experience implementing innovative teaching practices.

Research

• Postdoctoral experience, or other professional researchexperience, in a physics-related discipline with evidence ofpositive outcomes.
• Experience working with undergraduate students in a researchenvironment.
• Strong record of research accomplishments resulting inpeer-reviewed research outputs.
• Receipt of sponsored fellowships or other external funds.

Service

• Record of academic mentorship or other peer mentoring.
• Professional outreach activities.
• Active participation in professional societies.

Application Deadline

To be assured full consideration, all application materials must be received by November 1, 2026. The anticipated appointment dateis August 2027.

The College and Department

The College ofNatural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM; http://www.fullerton.edu/nsm/) is dedicated to the principle that teaching and research are intricately mixed and that undergraduate and M.S. graduation research, when properly approached, are an integral part of teaching. This fine balance between teaching and research is NSM's greatest strength.

Faculty in the Physics Department have a history of successful externally funded research programs centered around undergraduateresearch. The department is home to gravitational wave astronomy, several soft-matter physicists, atomic and molecular physics, physics education and quantum information researchers.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to allregardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws,California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) provides equalopportunity in education and employment without unlawfuldiscrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color,ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunitymeans ensuring that every student and employee has access to theresources and support they need to thrive and succeed in auniversity environment and in their communities. CSUF complies withTitle VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the EducationAmendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity inHigher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state andfederal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's NondiscriminationPolicy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and allforms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in alluniversity programs, policies, and practices.

In addition, California State University, Fullerton is a leadingpublic university known for its strong academic programs andcommitment to student success. As one of the largest campuses in the CSU system, Cal State Fullerton fosters innovation,collaboration, and professional growth. The university valuesteaching, research, and service, creating an environment wherestudents, staff, and faculty can thrive. Cal State Fullerton is andesigned Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American andNative American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. Theuniversity also received the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2021and 2024 from Excelencia in Education, the nation's leadingauthority on Latinx student success. Cal State Fullerton is anequal opportunity employer with a diverse student population ofover 45,000 and a faculty and staff population of 4,000. Cal StateFullerton is firmly committed to helping students achieve academicexcellence, career success, and economic mobility.

CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has establishedaffinity groups you can join to support your success.

Compensation

The Assistant Professor(Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipatedhiring range is $7,277 to $7,423 per month.

Salary offered is commensurate with experience andqualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibitsemployers from paying its employees less than those of the oppositesex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm).

Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and areduced teaching load may be available.

CSUF Benefits

An excellent comprehensivebenefits package includes health/vision/dental plans; spouse,domestic partner, and dependent fee‑waiver; access to campuschild‑care; and a defined‑benefit retirement through the statesystem and optional tax‑sheltering opportunities. For a detaileddescription of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017, are subject to a10-year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Additional Information

Multiple positionsmay be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of theapplicant pool.

International Candidates

For tenure-trackfaculty positions, California State University, Fullerton iscurrently not sponsoring H-1B applicants subjectto the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation:Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Individuals in the U.S. who hold a valid lawfulnonimmigrant status visa can have a petition filed on their behalfto change their status to H-1B without being subjected to the fee. For example, the fee does not apply to an H-1B petition filed by anindividual presently in the U.S. who is an F-1, J-1, or O-1 statusholder.

CSU Policies

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the CaliforniaChild Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with therequirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must becompleted satisfactorily before any candidate can be formallyoffered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily completethe background check may affect the application status ofapplicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees whoapply for the position.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualifiedapplicants with disabilities who self‐disclose.

Notice ofNon-Discrimination based on Gender or Sex and Contact Informationfor Title IX Coordinator.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU)Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whosebusiness operations reside within the State of California. Itrequires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within theState of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campusinstruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. The CSUalso prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanentlyfrom a business location outside of the United States.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they havereceived a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within thelast 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet theminimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer ofemployment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages ofthe application process must also sign a release form thatauthorizes the release of information by the applicant's currentand/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiatedallegations of misconduct.