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

About the Department:

The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students (BS), and 70 graduate students (MS and PhD). Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions, including 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. For more information on the department, see http://physics.gmu.edu.

George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, 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 offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.

The George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values

include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

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 of this endowed position 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 will 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 George Mason faculty in research and pursuit of center-level funding. The YYK Professor will complement the expertise of existing physics faculty members while also launching new research areas.

Responsibilities:

Research:

• Develops and maintains an active, externally funded research program;
• Publishes in high-quality peer reviewed journals and presents at professional conferences;
• Supervises research staff, graduate students, and/or postdoctoral fellows; and
• Contributes to interdisciplinary research initiatives within the department and university.

Teaching:

• Teaches 1–2 courses per year or as assigned at the undergraduate and/or graduate level;
• Advises and mentors students in coursework, research, and professional development; and
• Contributes to instructional innovation.

Service:

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

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Physics or a related field.
• Rank of Associate Professor (or equivalent) or higher.
• Experience in quantum physics to include, but not limited to, quantum information science, quantum devices, quantum materials, and quantum sensing.
• Success in securing external research funding.
• Strong record of scholarly production.
• Knowledge – Deep, discipline‑specific expertise, plus knowledge of the academic research enterprise to include advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge in the researcher’s field; Cutting‑edge qualitative and/or quantitative research design; Grant writing and knowledge of the funding landscape including federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH, DoD), foundations, and industry; Research ethics, IRB protocols, and compliance requirements; Lab, project, or center management; Scholarly communication norms, including publishing, peer review, and conference dissemination.
• Skills – Practical, demonstrable skills necessary for research leadership; Research design and execution, including experimental, computational, or theoretical methods; Data analysis, often including statistical modeling, programming, or discipline‑specific analytic tools; Grant writing and proposal development; Scholarly writing, with a strong record of publication in top journals and/or conferences; Project management and multi‑team coordination; Mentoring and supervision of graduate students and postdocs; Collaboration and interdisciplinary communication; Presentation and scientific communication for diverse audiences (academic, community, industry, funders).
• Abilities – Enduring capabilities that support successful research leadership, including the ability to conceptualize and lead a sustained research agenda; Secure external funding independently and repeatedly; Manage large, complex research projects or labs; Supervise research staff and trainees effectively; Work independently with minimal oversight; Form and maintain interdisciplinary collaborations; Build partnerships with government, industry, and internal communities; Translate complex ideas into grant proposals and publications; Maintain high ethical and professional standards in research conduct; In addition, the ability to teach and design undergraduate and graduate classes.
• Other Attributes – Personal attributes, professional dispositions, and qualifications commonly expected of such a position, including strong professional integrity and research accountability; Publication record appropriate for the discipline and rank; History of obtaining external funding; Persistence, resilience, and adaptability in competitive research environments; Professional reputation and visibility including involvement in such activities as national and international conferences, editorial boards, and leadership in professional societies; Strong motivation to contribute to the university and the colleges' research mission, as often demonstrated through leadership in research initiatives and building partnerships with government, industry, or internal communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Research Associate or Full Professor (Yu Yuen Kit (YYK) Professor) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter, CV, philosophy of teaching, transcript, and three letters of recommendation.

Posting Open Date: July 20, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: October 31, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

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