Research Associate or Full Professor; Yu Yuen Kit; YYK Professor

Research Associate or Full Professor (Yu Yuen Kit (YYK) Professor)

Department: College of Science

Classification: 12-month Research Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students, and 70 graduate students. Faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions such as the Applied Research Lab, Argonne National Laboratory, CERN, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the US Naval Observatory.

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George Mason University 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 and offers easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.

The College of Science is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. We value cultivating a culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility, and we prioritize cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement.

The Yu Yuen Kit (YYK) Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy will be held by an eminent scholar in physics and/or astronomy. The first holder 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 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 faculty to pursue center-level funding.

• Develop and maintain an active, externally funded research program.
• Publish in high-quality peer‑reviewed journals and present at professional conferences.
• Supervise research staff, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives within the department and university.

• Teach 1‑2 courses per year or as assigned at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Advise and mentor students in coursework, research, and professional development.
• Contribute to instructional innovation.

• Serve on departmental, college, or university committees as assigned.
• Participate in professional service (e.g., reviewing for journals, serving on grant panels).
• Contribute to outreach, engagement, and initiatives that support the mission of the university.

• PhD in Physics or a related field.
• Rank of Associate Professor (or equivalent) or higher.
• Experience in quantum physics, including quantum information science, quantum devices, quantum materials, and quantum sensing.
• Success in securing external research funding.
• Strong record of scholarly production.
• Deep discipline‑specific expertise and knowledge of advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge in the researcher’s field.
• Advanced research design, grant writing, and knowledge of funding opportunities with federal agencies (NSF, NIH, DoD), foundations, and industry.
• Experience with research ethics, IRB protocols, and compliance requirements.
• Lab, project, or center management; project management and multi‑team coordination.
• Strong scholarly writing and publication record in top journals and conferences.
• Mentoring and supervision of graduate students and postdocs.
• Collaboration and interdisciplinary communication skills.
• Presentation and scientific communication for diverse audiences (academic, community, industry, funders).
• A…