Assistant/Associate/Professor of Physics - Tenure/Tenure-Track

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Physics at The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, Pennsylvania, USA) invites applications for a faculty position (tenure-track/tenured). We are conducting a broad search across all ranks (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Full Professor). The department is open to candidates from all subfields of physics, with a particular interest in the subfields of biological physics and particle-astrophysics. Required duties will combine research, teaching and service to the university and broader research community.

The biological physics research in the department benefits from partnerships with Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.  The Huck Institutes supports interdisciplinary life science research through 11 core facilities, 6 interdisciplinary graduate training programs, and several Centers and Institutes, including the National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences.

The department offers state-of-the-art infrastructure for particle-astrophysics research, including access to Penn State's high-performance computing resources associated with the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences. Additionally, our faculty and students in particle-astrophysics will benefit from the high bay facility to be located in the newly constructed Osmond north wing, which provides specialized space for experimental instrumentation. These resources, plus those of the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos (IGC), offer an exceptional platform for innovative research and development.

Competitive applicants for the rank of Assistant Professor will hold a Ph.D. in physics or closely related field before beginning employment at Penn State; will demonstrate potential for developing an innovative, externally funded and collaborative research program; and will demonstrate the potential to contribute to the department’s and college’s teaching and service missions.

Candidates seeking the rank of Associate Professor should have the same qualifications as the rank of Assistant Professor, as well as a strong track record of scholarly achievement, external funding, and demonstrated success in teaching and service.

Candidates for Full Professor should have the same qualifications as the rank of Associate Professor, as well as a track record of research publications, funding, teaching, and service that distinguishes them internationally.

Applications must comprise:

• A cover letter (maximum of 2 pages) that includes:
  • An overview of the goals/vision of your research program in the context of our department and institution
  • Your most significant scientific accomplishments
  • A summary of experiences and qualifications that position you to achieve your goals
• Curriculum vitae
• Detailed statement of research accomplishments and future plans (maximum of 4 pages)
• Statement of teaching philosophy and interests (1 page)
• For applicants for Assistant Professor: Four reference letters must be uploaded to Academic Jobs Online.
• For applicants for Associate or Full Professor: A list of six references must be named in the application. Candidates are encouraged, but not required, to arrange for reference letters to be submitted to Academic Jobs Online.

PSU system limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit.

Application Portals:

• Candidates for Assistant Professor should apply here: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32889
• Candidates for Associate/Full Professor should apply here: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32892

In addition to the Academic Jobs Online application, Penn State requires all applicants to register and complete the application form at the Penn State employment website.

Completed applications received by November 22, 2026 are assured of full consideration; later applications may be considered until the position is filled.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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