Assistant – Associate - Colleges of Science and Engineering, Quantum Science and Technology

About the Opportunity

About Northeastern:

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experiential approach empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create impact far beyond the confines of discipline, degree, and campus.

Our locations—in Arlington; Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; London; Miami; New York City; Oakland; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Toronto; Vancouver; and the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant—are nodes in our growing global university system. Through this network, we expand opportunities for flexible, student-centered learning and collaborative, solutions-focused research.

Northeastern’s comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs—in a variety of on-campus and online formats—lead to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Among these, we offer more than 195 multi-discipline majors and degrees designed to prepare students for purposeful lives and careers.

The College of Science comprises six departments: Biology, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Marine and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. The Department of Physics (https://cos.northeastern.edu/physics/) includes 51 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 14 full-time teaching faculty; four research faculty; and one professor of the practice. Physics enrolls over 100 undergraduate physics majors, over 200 physics majors combined with other majors, and over 100 PhD students.

The College of Engineering comprises six departments: Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Software Engineering and Information Systems. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (https://ece.northeastern.edu/) includes 89 tenured/tenure track faculty, 8 research faculty, and 14 teaching faculty. ECE has around 950 undergraduate students, 600 master’s students and 325 Ph.D. students.

About the Opportunity:

Northeastern University seeks exceptional faculty candidates to establish transformative research programs at the frontiers of quantum science and technology with appointments in the College of Science (https://cos.northeastern.edu/) and/or the College of Engineering (https://coe.northeastern.edu/), and becoming a core member of Northeastern’s Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute (https://quantum.northeastern.edu/).

We welcome applicants across the full spectrum of quantum science and technology encompassing experimental, theoretical, and computational areas, including research at the intersection of quantum science and AI/ML, at all ranks (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor) to fill up to three positions. Successful candidates will have tenure homes in Physics or Electrical and Computer Engineering beginning in academic year 2027-2028, with the possibility of joint appointments with other departments. Areas of interest include (but are not limited to):

1. Quantum networking and communication: Theory of coherent quantum information transfer across physical platforms, spanning quantum communication and networking protocols, light-matter interactions, quantum optical frameworks for photon generation and entanglement in excitonic and photonic systems, and Hamiltonian engineering for materials-level quantum phenomena. Areas of expertise include condensed matter systems, quantum optics, quantum information theory, topology, group theory, quantum field theory, photonic integrated circuit design, microwave quantum engineering, signal processing, AI/ML-guided design, and materials platforms that underpin photon coherence and control.

2. Quantum sensing, navigation and precision timing: Experiments on quantum-coherent systems, including spin qubits, topological electron states, and entangled photon fields as precision probes of quantum matter.  Investigation of atomic-scale electromagnetic fields using Berry curvature-enhanced orbital responses, and of macroscopic inertial forces using quantum entanglement and matter-wave interferometry, to achieve sensitivities inaccessible to classical instrumentation. Areas of expertise include quantum measurement platforms, condensed matter, atomic and optical physics, precision instrumentation, microwave and RF systems, sensor design, quantum materials and heterostructures, and AI/ML-guided materials discovery.

3. Next-Generation Quantum Computing: Quantum Algorithms and Intelligent Computing Systems: Topics span quantum computing, quantum computer architecture, quantum computer engineering, broadly defined. We welcome researchers advancing quantum algorithms and systems, quantum processors and architectures, hardware–software co-design, scalable computing platforms, AI-assisted quantum systems, heterogeneous architectures, intelligent computing infrastructure, and scalable computing platforms. Candidates with interdisciplinary expertise spanning computing systems, AI, robotics, quantum technologies, and emerging hardware platforms are especially encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates will join the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute https://quantum.northeastern.edu/), and leverage the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation (https://nanosi.northeastern.edu/), the Kostas Research Institute (https://kostas.northeastern.edu/), our world-class laboratories such as the Experiential Quantum Advancement Laboratories (EQUAL, https://equal.sites.northeastern.edu/) and other quantum laboratories and facilities including state-of-the-art clean room synthesis, characterization, and fabrication tools, ultrafast optical spectroscopy, cryogenic measurement systems, quantum transport tools, and high-performance computing clusters. Selected candidates will advance quantum science and technology in support of Northeastern’s broader strategic vision of use-inspired research in health, security, and sustainability, active industry engagement, and the development of quantum education and workforce programs.

Our tenure and promotion process values collaborative research and teamwork. Hires will be mentored for success, with mentoring teams and group guidance. In addition, a strong and effective faculty development strategy is part of the Northeastern institutional mission. The ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development office works in conjunction with the Office of Research Development (ORD), the Office of Belonging, the Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research (CATLR), and University Decision Support (UDS) to provide programs and trainings to further develop and support a thriving faculty.

Responsibilities:

Successful candidates will develop vigorous, independent research programs cutting across physics, electrical engineering, and other science and engineering disciplines, and attract external funding. Faculty at Northeastern are expected to teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, supervise students and postdocs in their areas of research, and participate in service to the department, university, and discipline. Candidates joining the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute will collaborate on multi-faculty, mission-driven research programs at the frontiers of quantum science and engineering.

These positions will be based in Boston, Massachusetts and/or Burlington, Massachusetts. Because Northeastern has many campuses spread across the globe beyond its main campus in Boston, qualified candidates must be prepared to work with our worldwide student population.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D., or equivalent, in physics, engineering, a quantum-related discipline, or a relevant interdisciplinary area is required by the employment start date. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including academia and industry. Applicants must demonstrate a strong record of scholarly accomplishments and the potential to establish a world-class, externally funded research program. Postdoctoral experience is not required for appointment at the Assistant Professor level. Candidates seeking appointment at the Associate Professor level should have at least 4 years of experience and at the Full Professor level of at least 8 years of academic or equivalent experience (e.g. industry research) with strong track record of external grant support and academic leadership.

Additional Information:

How to apply: Interested candidates should apply using the Northeastern University website. Applicants should indicate their area(s) of interest in the cover letter, including interest in joint appointments with other departments or colleges.

Applications must include the following:

(1) a cover letter;

(2) a curriculum vita that includes a full list of publications;

(3) statements addressing the prompts below; and

(4) names and contact information for at least three professional references from whom letters of reference may be solicited.

Successful faculty at Northeastern will be dynamic and innovative scholars with a record of research and teaching excellence and a commitment to fostering belonging in the university community. Thus, strong candidates for this faculty position will have the expertise, knowledge, and skills to build their research, pedagogy, and curriculum in ways that reflect and enhance this commitment.

Please indicate how your expertise, knowledge, and skills have prepared you to contribute to this work with written statements addressing the following prompts:

Research statement (no longer than 5 pages):

Describe the focus area(s) of your research, including the major scientific questions you have addressed, the funding you have received to support the work (if applicable), and the major discoveries you have made. Highlight any cross-disciplinary research efforts you have undertaken. Also comment on any research you have undertaken with students and/or with the external community.   Finally, provide an overview of the research directions you foresee pursuing at Northeastern, including cross-disciplinary and collaborative aspects of your research.

Teaching statement (1 page):

Summarize your past instructional and mentorship experience, pedagogical philosophy, plans/goals for teaching in the College of Science or the College of Engineering (including existing and proposed courses), and your strategies for teaching and mentoring Northeastern’s global student populations as appropriate.

Leadership statement (1 page):

Describe your past experience and activities, if appropriate, and future plans  your leadership style, how you intend to cultivate a culture that promotes a sense of belonging, including fostering a free and open exchange of ideas and managing different perspectives to help others strengthen their practice.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as they are received. The review will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries should be directed to Professor Arun Bansil ([email protected]), Search Committee Chair.

Position Type

Academic

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay Range:

Assistant Professor: $111,000.00 - $137,000.00 | Associate Professor: $116,000.00 - $168,000.00 | Professor: $132,000.00 - $271,000.00

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.