Grainger Engineering: Professor (Open Rank) Experimental Condensed Matter and QIS - Dept of Physics

Department of Physics - Open Rank Faculty Search
Experimental Condensed Matter and Quantum Information Science

The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Physics in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for one (1) open-rank (assistant, associate, or full professor level) tenure-track, full-time faculty position in experimental quantum physics, broadly defined, including quantum information science (QIS), condensed matter physics (CMP), and atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics.

Successful candidates must be able to teach in these and other areas while also contributing to the excellence of our programs through research and service efforts. Candidates are expected to establish and maintain an active and independent research program, teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession.

Illinois Physics has broad and internationally recognized strengths in experimental and theoretical research spanning condensed matter physics (CMP), atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics, and quantum information science (QIS). Current research encompasses a wide range of topics, including strongly correlated and topological quantum matter, superconductivity, bulk, thin films, and 2D quantum materials, magnetism, non-equilibrium quantum phenomena, quantum simulation and sensing, quantum algorithms and quantum error correction, superconducting and solid-state qubits, atomic and photonic quantum systems, quantum memories, hybrid quantum networks, quantum transduction, and the development and study of novel platforms for quantum information processing.

Faculty have access to a rich campus-wide research environment and extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, including close interactions with theorists at the Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory and through the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST). IQUIST brings together QIS researchers from Physics and departments across the University, while the Illinois Seitz Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) provides a major hub for interdisciplinary materials research and state-of-the-art experimental facilities. Illinois researchers also participate in and lead major multi-institutional quantum initiatives, including the NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN), Q-NEXT, the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute, and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP).

A doctoral degree in Physics or a related field is required by the expected fall 2027 start date; however, starting date is negotiable. The budgeted salary range for the position is $115,000 to $135,000 at the Assistant Professor level, $135,000 to $160,000 at the Associate Professor level, and $160,000 to $220,000 at the Full Professor level, for a 9-month service basis paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 2, 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. Those submitted after the stated deadline may still be considered until the position is filled. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement, 4) teaching statement, 5) service statement, and 6) names and contact information for at least three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research, teaching, and service statements offer a chance to share your motivation, approach, experience, leadership, impact, and vision in each area, including how you would support the university’s land-grant mission (https://boldly.illinois.edu/), through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Stephanie Swearingen and sswearin@illinois.edu.

Faculty and students at Illinois benefit from access to world-class experimental and computational facilities across campus, including: Advanced Materials Testing and Evaluation Laboratory, the Coordinated Science Laboratory, Materials Research Laboratory, Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Lab, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

We have an active and successful Dual Career Academic Couples Program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/).

Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.

Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

---

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

---

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

---

Requisition ID: 1038510 Job Category: Faculty Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu