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Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (Physics)

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR, USA

Posted on Oct 3, 2025

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Position Information

Department	Physics (SPH)
Position Title	Professor
Job Title	Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (Physics)
Appointment Type	Academic Faculty
Job Location	Corvallis
Benefits Eligible	Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Job Summary	The Department of Physics at Oregon State University (OSU) is seeking an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 9-month, tenure/tenure-track faculty position. Any hiring at the rank of Associate Professor/Professor with indefinite tenure will be subject to a successful out-of-cycle tenure review process: https://facultyaffairs.oregonstate.edu/out-cycle-tenure-review-procedure. The Department of Physics at Oregon State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in condensed matter theory. The appointment is expected to be at the Assistant Professor level, but Associate or Full professor level appointments may be made for exceptional applicants. Candidates from all subfields of condensed matter theory, including those that utilize machine learning and AI in their research, are encouraged to apply, but preference will be given to applicants that have strong interest in collaborating with experimentalists in condensed matter physics or materials science. OSU is a public R1 research university and the largest university in the state of Oregon, with an enrollment of nearly 38,000 students and sponsored-project research expenditures of over 420 million dollars in 2024. Our department has research groups in the areas of astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics, optical physics, physics education, and quantum cosmology. OSU has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, inclusive excellence, and community. We actively engage in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and student body that includes members of historically underrepresented groups. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming and supportive campus environment. OSU provides leadership opportunities for people interested in promoting and enhancing diversity, nurturing creativity, and building community. All employees are responsible for helping to maintain and enhance OSU’s collaborative and inclusive community that strives for equity and equal opportunity. OSU is located in the city of Corvallis, one hour drive from the Oregon Coast and one and a half hours from Portland as well as the Cascade mountains. Corvallis is ranked as one of the safest, greenest, and best college towns in the US. The city offers year-round cultural and outdoor activities for all ages. The incumbent will engage in theoretical and/or computational work that expands or complements our current materials research areas including advanced optical spectroscopy, nanoelectronics, and device physics of 2D materials, metal oxides, and organic solids. There are additional collaborative opportunities with materials science researchers at other departments in the College of Science and the College of Engineering and access to the nation’s most powerful new-generation NVIDIA GPU supercomputers in the Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex on campus to launch in 2026. The Physics Department is also nationally recognized for its innovative undergraduate programs and use of research-informed teaching methods. Faculty work together to design and offer high-impact courses in a supportive environment. The primary responsibilities of this position are to establish and sustain an independent research program through external funding; publish original research in peer-reviewed journals; teach and mentor graduate students, undergraduate students, and postdocs; and provide institutional and professional service.
Why OSU?	Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all. FACTS: • Top 1.4% university in the world • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined • 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S. • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone • 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates • 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color • 217k+ alumni worldwide • For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about Locations: Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances. Total Rewards Package: Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents. • Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources. • Retirement savings paid by the university. • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave. • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities. • Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program. • Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life. Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities	The primary responsibilities of this position are to establish and sustain an independent research program through external funding; publish original research in peer-reviewed journals; teach and mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and possibly postdocs; and provide institutional and professional service. Successful candidates will also demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Teaching, Advising, and Other Instructional Assignments: 45% Teaching regular credit courses as assigned, in keeping with the highest professional standards and following best practices for diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion. This may include classroom preparation, lecture presentations, course assessment, TA supervision, timely grading of homework, timely grading of exams, making class information available through the web, and holding regular office hours. It may also include training faculty, graduate TAs, and undergraduate LAs in best teaching practices. The total number of regular courses per year in this position is 3 (one course in the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms). Curricular development (single course improvement without dissemination). Supervision of seminars (Research, Communications, Teaching, etc.). Directing undergraduate senior theses; service on master and doctoral committees; mentoring of undergraduate and graduate student on instructional matters. General advising of students. Scholarship and Creative Activity: 45% Pursue scholarly activities through research in the field of Condensed Matter Theory. Results should be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented in professional meetings, symposia, and conferences. Mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students in scholarly activities. Obtain grant and contract support for the research to support research assistants, travel, summer salary, publication expenses, research equipment, computer equipment, and other costs of operating a research program. Other activities in this category are publication of non-refereed papers, web publications, social media activity, public outreach, publication of books and book chapters, patent awards, and inventions. Fulfill legal compliance requirements appropriate to the research topic, e.g., human subjects safety, chemical safety, radiation safety, information technology safety. Service: 10% Service to the department, college, and university as assigned. Mentoring of faculty, as assigned. Participate in training and professional development to maintain a current knowledge of best practices in teaching, mentoring, interacting with students and be a supportive member of the physics community. Serve in department, college, and university level committees and programs with the goal of improving access and inclusion. Service to the profession: this includes involvement with professional associations/societies, holding offices, participation in research advisory or review panels, review manuscripts for journals, organization of conferences, chairing conference sessions, workshops and teaching in developing countries, write external promotion letters, and similar activities.
What You Will Need	PhD in Physics or a closely related field Demonstrated ability to contribute to scholarly activities through refereed publications and conference presentations relevant to theoretical/computational condensed matter or materials physics Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment for faculty, staff, and students Additional qualifications to be considered at the Associate Professor level: Significant potential to obtain external research funding Demonstrated potential for physics teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level Additional qualifications to be considered at the Full Professor level: Demonstrated ability to obtain external research funding Demonstrated excellence for physics teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level
What We Would Like You to Have	Strong interest (or evidence, at the Associate or Full Professor level) in collaborating with experimentalists in condensed matter physics or materials science Relevant postdoctoral experience in the field of condensed matter physics or materials science Experience with a variety of teaching methods and/or curricular perspectives Research focus that is complementary to the existing research strengths of the department Successful mentoring of graduate and/or undergraduate students
Working Conditions / Work Schedule	This position is located onsite in Corvallis, OR.
Pay Method	Salary
Pay Period	1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date	Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range	Salary is commensurate with skills, education, and experience.
Link to Position Description	https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/173254

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number	P09474UF
Number of Vacancies	1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date	09/01/2026
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date	09/30/2025
Full Consideration Date	11/05/2025
Closing Date	02/03/2026
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search	Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants	To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by November 5, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants. When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents: 1) A resume/CV including a complete list of publications and conference presentations, fellowships or other funding, and teaching and mentoring experience; 2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position and are aligned with the required and preferred qualifications; 3) A statement of current and proposed research interests (up to 6 pages describing both the research you have done and your vision for research you would do at OSU. Additional pages can be used to list citations. See below for further guidance). (Upload as Statement of Research); and 4) A statement of teaching philosophy, experience and interest (up to 3 pages describing your teaching and mentoring experience, skills, and philosophy in the context of the required and preferred teaching qualifications. See below for further guidance). (Upload as Statement of Teaching). Further guidance for the research statement: consider including the following details: The methods, results, and impact of research you have done; For previous collaborative research, specify your contributions to the team; The research questions that you expect to study in your first few years at OSU, and the research methods you would employ; Goals for where you would like your research and your research group to be in five years, i.e. at the time of your tenure decision; How you would include graduate and undergraduate research students in your work, and any previous experience mentoring students in research; Existing and aspirational collaborations with experimentalists in condensed matter physics or materials science, including at OSU; Possible funding sources for your work at OSU and any prior experience with obtaining funding; How your future research plans build on your current experience (both in academia and outside of it); and How you expect your skills and experience to develop in your future career at OSU. Further guidance for the teaching statement: consider including the following details, where applicable: What courses you would be excited to teach and/or develop and why; Your teaching practices in large and small class settings; Any previous experience mentoring teaching assistants; How you have helped inclusivity and access in your previous work and how you envision these aspects of your work at OSU; How you expect your skills and experience will develop over time. Letters of Reference are required for this position. When applying, you will be asked to provide the email address and telephone number for 3 referees who will be sent a secure quicklink that will allow them to upload the requested letters of reference on your behalf. For additional information please contact: Oksana Ostroverkhova oksana.ostroverkhova@oregonstate.edu (541) 737-1679 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

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