Associate/Full Professor (Tenure)

The Wyant College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona is world-renowned for the breadth and depth of its research and education programs. The college’s Optical Engineering program is one of four major research areas and the core of our undergraduate program with a broad scope of activity and interests.

These range from innovations in broad areas of optical engineering (e.g. precision optical fabrication techniques, optical system design methods, optical metrology, opto-mechanical engineering), novel design of high-performance imaging and non-imaging systems, optical materials and metamaterials, biomedical optics and instrumentation, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies, optics for astronomy and space exploration, infrared systems, hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing and lidar.

The position is not limited to these areas and applicants in other fields of optical engineering are encouraged to apply. The Wyant College of Optical Sciences has also been fortunate to receive philanthropic support to create 14 Endowed Chairs in Optical Science positions in the college. The William F. and Helen M. Reynolds Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences is one of three remaining endowed chairs to be filled with an inaugural recipient.

The successful candidate will develop their own independent research program to broaden the capabilities of the College but also find synergy with current Wyant College of Optical Sciences research programs and benefit from the vibrant cross-disciplinary research culture at the University of Arizona. The Optical Engineering group enjoys particularly strong linkages with Astronomy, Space Optical Systems, Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences. Joint appointments in the various departments across multiple colleges are also possible.

Experience in private-sector enterprises can be a valuable candidate asset. The Wyant College of Optical Sciences, and the Optical Engineering group in particular, enjoy strong engagement with private-sector stakeholders addressing previously unknown challenges and intellectual opportunities encountered while advancing cutting edge technologies to the market.

Duties and Responsibilities

Candidates for this tenure/tenure-track position should demonstrate a commitment to excellence both in research in their field and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Duties include

• Cultivating a world-renowned research program.
• Establishing a strong record of student mentorship and teaching.
• Participating in both undergraduate and graduate education.
• Participating in service and outreach for the College.
• For private sector or government laboratory applicants, lack of a proven teaching or extramural research funding record could be addressed with other related credentials that demonstrate strong communications skills and a demonstrated history of technical depth and leadership.
• We seek an individual who is able to work with and attract various undergraduate and graduate students and colleagues.
• Development of novel courses pertaining to the candidate’s area of expertise, as well as exceptional teaching of our core curriculum, is expected.