About the role
Department: College of Science
Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty
Job Category: Instructional Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: N/A - I/R Faculty
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Restricted: Yes
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department
The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students (BS), and 70 graduate students (MS and PhD). Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions, including the Applied Research Lab, Argonne National Laboratory, CERN, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Institute for Quantum Matter, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the US Naval Observatory. For more information on the department, see http://physics.gmu.edu.
George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is Virginia's largest university with more than 39,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation's capital.
Statement on Building an Inclusive Culture: George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.
About the Position
The Yu Yuen Kit (YYK) Associate or Full Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy will be held by an eminent scholar in physics. The first holder of this endowed position will be an expert in theoretical and/or computational quantum science who will relocate their program to George Mason University and collaborate across departments and fields. Responsibilities will include establishing and maintaining an externally funded research group, training graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and collaborating with other George Mason faculty in research and pursuit of center-level funding. The YYK Professor will complement the expertise of existing physics faculty members while also launching new research areas.
Responsibilities
Research
- Develops and maintains an active, externally funded research program;
- Publishes in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and presents at professional conferences;
- Supervises research staff, graduate students, and/or postdoctoral fellows; and
- Contributes to interdisciplinary research initiatives within the department and university.
Teaching
- May teach up to two (2) courses per year or as assigned at the undergraduate and/or graduate level;
- Advises and mentors students in coursework, research, and professional development; and
- Contributes to instructional innovation.
Service
- Serves on departmental, college, or university committees as assigned;
- Participates in professional service (e.g., reviewing for journals, serving on grant panels); and
- Contributes to outreach, engagement, and initiatives that support the mission of the university.
Required Qualifications
- Terminal degree/PhD in Physics or a related field;
- Experience in quantum physics which includes, but is not limited to, quantum information science, quantum devices, quantum materials, and quantum sensing;
- Rank of Associate Professor (or equivalent) or higher;
- Success in securing external research funding;
- Strong record of scholarly production;
- Knowledge of theoretical and/or computational quantum science at a depth demonstrated by a sustained, internationally recognized record of peer-reviewed scholarship;
- Knowledge of the physics curriculum sufficient to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels;
- Knowledge of federal and non-federal research funding mechanisms, including center-level and multi-investigator programs;
- Skill in preparing competitive research proposals to federal agencies and other external sponsors;
- Skill in mentoring and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral scholars;
- Skill in scientific writing, oral presentation, and classroom instruction;
- Ability to establish and maintain an externally funded research group;
- Ability to collaborate across departments and disciplines, including in the pursuit of center-level funding;
- Ability to launch new research directions that complement existing departmental expertise;
- A record of research, teaching, and service supporting appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor with tenure; and
- Standing as an eminent scholar in physics evidenced by honors, fellowships, editorial or advisory roles, or comparable external recognition.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Yu Yuen Kit (YYK) Associate or Full Professor of Physics - Quantum at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent, CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement and please provide the names, affiliations, and emails of 3 individuals who can write a letter of recommendation.
Posting Open Date: September 17, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 15, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes