Assistant/Associate Professor, Quantum Materials and Quantum Information Science and Engineering

Company: Northeastern University
Location: Boston
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

About the Opportunity About Northeastern: Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experiential approach empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create impact far beyond the confines of discipline, degree, and campus. Our locations—in Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; London; Portland, Maine; Miami; San Francisco and Oakland; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Toronto; Vancouver; and the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant—are nodes in our growing global university system. Through this network, we expand opportunities for flexible, student-centered learning and collaborative, solutions-focused research. Northeastern’s comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs— in a variety of on-campus and online formats—leads to degrees through the doctorate in ten colleges and schools. Among these, we offer more than 195 multidisciplinary majors and degrees designed to prepare students for purposeful lives and careers. About the Opportunity: The College of Science and the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute at Northeastern University (Boston and Burlington Campuses) seek exceptional faculty candidates to establish transformative research programs at the frontiers of quantum materials and quantum information science and engineering. We welcome applications for the Assistant Professor and Associate Professor level ranks. The successful candidate will have a tenure home in Physics (with joint appointments with other departments in Colleges of Science and Engineering possible), beginning in academic year 2026-2027. We welcome applicants across the full spectrum of quantum science, from experimental to theoretical and computational, including research at the intersection of quantum science and AI/ML. Areas of interest include (but are not limited to) advanced quantum materials synthesis; novel qubit platforms (e.g., superconducting, topological, photonic, and spin-based); room-temperature quantum devices; spintronics, quantum sensing and metrology, including position, navigation and timing technologies; and quantum networks and communications. Also of interest are new approaches for designing and predicting quantum materials/systems/devices; error correction and fault-tolerant architectures; novel quantum algorithms for near-term and fault-tolerant quantum computing; quantum advantage demonstrations in optimization and simulation; quantum information theory; and hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. We particularly encourage candidates whose research transcends traditional boundaries between theory and experiment to harness the power of AI/ML in developing new quantum algorithms and AI-assisted quantum systems. Areas could include AI-driven quantum networks; quantum circuits and control protocols; quantum state characterization and noise mitigation; autonomous quantum experimentation for real-time discovery; quantum-inspired classical algorithms and computing; and design of quantum materials and devices. The successful candidate will join a vibrant quantum research ecosystem centered around the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute ( https://quantum.northeastern.edu ), including the Experiential Quantum Advancement Laboratories (EQUAL, https://equal.sites.northeastern.edu/ ) and other quantum laboratories. They are expected to collaborate with faculty colleagues within the QMSI and leverage a wide range of world-class laboratories and facilities, including state-of-the-art clean room synthesis, characterization, and fabrication tools; ultrafast optical spectroscopy; cryogenic measurement systems; quantum transport tools; and high-performance computing clusters. The individual will advance quantum science and technology to address practical applications in health, security, and sustainability, while actively engaging with the quantum industry and developing quantum education programs to build a quantum-literate workforce. The Department of Physics ( https://cos.northeastern.edu/physics/ ) includes 49 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 13 full-time teaching faculty; four research faculty; and one professor of the practice. Physics enrolls over 100 undergraduate physics majors, over 200 physics majors combined with other majors, and over 100 PhD students. The College of Science and Physics Department are in a vibrant expansion phase. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering ( https://ece.northeastern.edu/ ) includes 85 tenured/tenure track faculty, 15 research faculty, and 15 teaching faculty. ECE has around 950 undergraduate students, 600 master’s students and 325 Ph.D. students. The department continues to be very research active and continues to grow holistically in all areas of ECE with Quantum Engineering as one of its current focuses. Our tenure and promotion process values collaborative research and teamwork, along with individual initiative. Hires will be mentored for success, with the support of mentoring teams and group guidance. Additionally, a strong and effective faculty development strategy is integral to Northeastern’s institutional mission. The ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development works in conjunction with the Office of Research Development (ORD), the Office of Belonging, the Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research (CATLR), and University Decision Support (UDS) to provide programs and trainings to further develop and support a thriving faculty. Northeastern University is a global university system. Positions will primarily be on the Boston or Burlington campus, but may be available at any of our 14 campus locations. Opportunities to collaborate extend beyond the University. At Northeastern University, we embrace a culture of respect and inclusion, where each person is valued and empowered with equitable opportunities and access to resources. See our website for more information about the College and its Leadership Team . Responsibilities: The successful candidate will develop vigorous research programs cross-cutting physics, electrical engineering, and other science and engineering disciplines. Faculty members at Northeastern are expected to develop independent research programs that attract external funding; teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate level; supervise students and postdocs in their area of research; and participate in service to the department, university, and discipline. As a member of the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute, they will work closely with other QMSI faculty groups to develop large-scale, mission-driven research programs at the frontiers of quantum science and engineering. Because Northeastern is a global institution with locations in an array of jurisdictions, qualified candidates must be prepared to work with global student populations. Qualifications: A Ph.D. in physics, engineering, a quantum-related discipline, or a relevant interdisciplinary area is required at the employment start date. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including academia and industry. Applicants should have a strong record of scholarly accomplishment that demonstrates the ability to build a strong research program. Evidence of potential as a research scientist is expected, but postdoctoral experience is not required for appointments at the Assistant Professor level. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong record of scholarly accomplishments and the ability to build a world-class research program. Candidates seeking appointment at the Associate Professor level must have at least 5 years of experience and have an established strong trajectory of grant support and academic leadership in research and teaching. With a tenure home in physics, a joint or affiliate appointment in other departments within the University is possible, depending on research profile and expertise. Additional Information: Interested candidates should apply here with a curriculum vita that includes a list of publications, statements addressing the prompts below, and names and contact information for at least three professional references from whom letters of reference can be solicited as needed. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting December 1, 2025. We encourage applications from interested candidates at any time, as the search will remain open until the position is filled . Questions may be directed to the search committee chair, University Distinguished Professor Arun Bansil, ar.bansil@northeastern.edu . Successful faculty at Northeastern will be dynamic and innovative scholars with a record of research and teaching excellence. Please indicate how your expertise, knowledge, and skills have prepared you to contribute to this work with written statements addressing the following prompts: Research statement (no longer than 5 pages) : Please describe the focus of your research, including the questions you have identified, the funding you have received to support the work (if applicable), the results you have discovered, and the products of these efforts. Highlight any cross-disciplinary research efforts you have undertaken. Finally, please outline the research directions you foresee pursuing in the College of Science, any cross-disciplinary and collaborative aspects, and the strategies you will take to address each direction. Teaching statement (1 page): Please summarize your past instructional and mentorship experiences, your pedagogical philosophy, your plans/goals for teaching in the College of Science (including existing and proposed courses), and your strategies for teaching and mentoring global student populations. Leadership statement (1 page) : Please describe your past experiences and activities and/or your future plans detailing your leadership style, how you intend to cultivate a culture that promotes a sense of belonging, including fostering a free and open exchange of ideas and managing different perspectives to help others strengthen their practice. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Position Type Academic Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Pay Range: Assistant Professor: $104,000.00 - $122,000.00 | Associate Professor: $115,000.00 - $138,000.00 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Keywords: Northeastern University, Worcester , Assistant/Associate Professor, Quantum Materials and Quantum Information Science and Engineering, Education / Teaching , Boston, Massachusetts