Assistant Professor, Quantum Condensed Matter Theory & Machine Learning

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

Location - North campus. This role is in person

Working for the University of Alberta 

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department summary

The Department of Physics has approximately 48 faculty with research interests in condensed matter physics, astrophysics, biophysics, geophysics and subatomic physics. Our condensed matter theory group currently focuses on superconductivity, topological quantum materials, computational physics, and quantum simulation. Our experimental condensed matter group is well equipped with labs for ultrafast laser spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, low-temperature physics, cavity optomechanics, and ultracold atoms. The National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT), located next door to the physics building, also houses a number of condensed matter labs. Access to high-performance computing resources is available through the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (www.alliancecan.ca). Initiatives by the Governments of Alberta and Canada provide exceptional opportunities for additional funding to establish new research programs at the University of Alberta.

Position summary

The Department of Physics, University of Alberta (www.physics.ualberta.ca) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in theoretical condensed matter physics and machine learning. We are primarily seeking an emerging scholar to hire at the Assistant Professor level who is committed to excellence in teaching and research, but highly qualified candidates at a more senior level will be considered. Applicants must possess a PhD in physics and have the potential to develop an innovative and externally-funded research program in quantum condensed matter theory and machine learning. The successful candidate will be expected to build a strong independent research program, supervise graduate students and teach physics at the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Successful candidates will be nominated for a Canada CIFAR Artificial Intelligence (CCAI) Chair by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). Amii is one of three institutes named in the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy and represents more than 35 artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML) researchers at the University of Alberta, as well as CCAI Chairs at post-secondary institutions across Western Canada. The CCAI Chair includes research funding for at least five (5) years. This position is part of a University of Alberta cluster hire in the areas of research strength that include Health, Energy and Indigenous Initiatives in health and humanities, among others. The University of Alberta is world-renowned for its strength in AI; this cohort will bring together and foster the next generation of scientists leading the development of machine learning for societal benefit, fulfilling Amii's mandate of AI for good and all.

Candidates must also demonstrate how they will work to expand the diversity of the Department through a statement about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). In the EDI statement, candidates should describe how they plan to incorporate these considerations into their teaching, research, and service to the scientific community. Candidates are also encouraged to describe how they will contribute to increasing the diversification of ideas within the Department of Physics

A CV, list of publications, statement of research interests, summary of teaching interests and an EDI statement are required. At least 3 confidential reference letters should be submitted electronically. Please ask referees to address their letters to:

The Selection Committee

Department of Physics

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1

Referees should email their letters directly

To: Suzette Chan <suzette.chan@ualberta.ca>

Subject: Quantum CMT & Machine Learning Competition #XXXXX

To assist the University in complying with mandatory reporting requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (R203(3) (e)), please include the first digit of your Canadian Social Insurance Number in your application. If you do not have a Canadian Social Insurance Number, please indicate this in your application.

The application deadline is February 28, 2023. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2023

Duties

• Build a strong independent research program
• Supervise graduate students
• Teach physics at the undergraduate and graduate level

Minimum Qualification

• PhD in physics
• Applicants should have a strong record of peer-reviewed publications in theoretical condensed matter physics or related fields

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.