Assistant Professor of Physics

Job description

Special Instruction to Applicants: You will be asked to upload electronic versions of the items we require, which are: (1) a cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a teaching statement, and (4) an outline of plans for your research program.

In the cover letter, applicants should describe how they will embrace the college’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community.


You will also be asked to provide the email addresses of three referees from whom we may obtain confidential letters of recommendation (please double-check the accuracy of the email addresses of the referees you name to ensure that you have the most up-to-date email addresses for each one).


After you have submitted all of the required documents, you will see a confirmation number.

At that point, each of your referees whose email addresses you have provided will receive an automatically-generated email requesting that they submit a letter of reference for you.


Position Details: The Physics Department at Wesleyan University is seeking to fill a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level to begin July 1, 2026.

We invite applications from candidates with promise for developing an independent, funded research program in applied physics with an experimental component that involves both graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Research areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to, materials science, photonics, complex systems, and quantum information.

Implementation of emerging machine-learning and neural network-based methods is desirable, as appropriate.

Candidates should consider how their research could create synergy with existing research in the physics department and in other programs on campus.

Candidates should be able to teach at all levels of the physics curriculum.


Wesleyan offers a unique opportunity to thrive in a PhD-granting department at a leading liberal arts university, providing significant institutional support in the form of start-up funds, renovated lab space, and graduate research assistants.

Substantial machine shop, analytical instrumentation, and computational resources are available.

Collegial faculty interaction includes significant career mentoring, participation in pedagogical innovation, and a shared commitment to the promotion of a welcoming community within physics and the University at large.

Duties encompass carrying on a program of research, teaching in-person one course per semester plus complementary seminars, advising and mentoring students, and participating in faculty governance at the departmental and university level.


Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field in hand by the time of appointment to be hired as an Assistant Professor; a successful candidate may be hired as an Instructor if the candidate does not have a Ph.D. in hand at the time of appointment, but will complete the Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field within one year of hire.


Special consideration will be given to candidates with postdoctoral research experience or equivalent, and to those with teaching experience, which may include teaching as a graduate student.


Additional Information: Review of applications will begin October 20, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

Please contact Dana Gordon-Gannuscio at dgordongannu@wesleyan.edu if you have questions about the application process.

Note for Interfolio users: We gladly accept letters of recommendation from Interfolio.

From your Interfolio account, please use the “web delivery” method to upload your letters directly to our online application.

Please apply at: https://wesleyan.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/careers.






Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening (https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/pdfs/Wesleyan%20University%20Background%20Check%20Policy_.pdf) to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.


Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record.

We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups.

Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.


Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies.

Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html .


Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers.

For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html


Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.




Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html .

We welcome your interest in Wesleyan’s diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work.


In this open-minded and inclusive environment, our faculty and staff foster a liberal arts experience characterized by boldness, rigor, and practical idealism.
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If you are currently employed at WES, you must apply for positions through Job Hubs in your Workday (http://workday.wesleyan.edu/) portal.

There you will find an abbreviated application form making this process much easier for you!

Required Skill Profession

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