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Associate/Full Professor (Tenure)

University of Arizona
life insurance, vision insurance, sick time
United States, Arizona, Tucson
Oct 15, 2026
Associate/Full Professor (Tenure)
Posting Number req27272
Department James C Wyant Coll Optical Sci
Department Website Link Wyant College of Optical Sciences
Medical Sub-Speciality
Location Tucson Campus
Address Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights

The Wyant College of Optical Sciences (OSC) at the University of Arizona invites applications from exceptional scientists and engineers for the William F. and Helen M. Reynolds Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences, a tenure/tenure-track faculty position in the general area of Optical Engineering. We envision hiring at the full or associate professor rank for this endowed chair position. Applicants may also be considered for a non-chaired tenure-track assistant professor position.

We encourage applications from researchers whose expertise and interests will complement or strengthen current efforts at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences and across the University of Arizona. The Wyant College of Optical Sciences seeks to create a supportive environment for all faculty, staff, and students. We welcome and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Wyant
College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona is world-renowned for
the breadth and depth of its research and education programs. The college's
Optical Engineering program is one of four major research areas and the core of
our undergraduate program with a broad scope of activity and interests.
These range from innovations in broad areas of optical engineering (e.g.
precision optical fabrication techniques, optical system design methods,
optical metrology, opto-mechanical engineering), novel design of
high-performance imaging and non-imaging systems, optical materials and
metamaterials, biomedical optics and instrumentation, augmented and virtual
reality (AR/VR) technologies, optics for astronomy and space exploration,
infrared systems, hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing and lidar. The position
is not limited to these areas and applicants in other fields of optical
engineering are encouraged to apply.

The Wyant
College of Optical Sciences has also been fortunate to receive philanthropic
support to create 14 Endowed Chairs in Optical Science positions in the
college. The William F. and Helen M. Reynolds Endowed Chair in Optical
Sciences is one of three remaining endowed chairs to be filled with an
inaugural recipient.

The
successful candidate will develop their own independent research program to
broaden the capabilities of the College but also find synergy with current
Wyant College of Optical Sciences research programs and benefit from the
vibrant cross-disciplinary research culture at the University of Arizona. The
Optical Engineering group enjoys particularly strong linkages with Astronomy,
Space Optical Systems, Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences. Joint appointments in the various departments across multiple colleges
are also possible.
Experience in
private-sector enterprises can be a valuable candidate asset. The Wyant College
of Optical Sciences, and the Optical Engineering group in particular, enjoy
strong engagement with private-sector stakeholders addressing previously
unknown challenges and intellectual opportunities encountered while advancing
cutting edge technologies to the market.

Duties and
Responsibilities:

Candidates
for this tenure/tenure-track position should demonstrate a commitment to
excellence both in research in their field and teaching at the undergraduate
and graduate levels. Duties include:

  • Cultivating a world-renowned
    research program.
  • Establishing a strong record of
    student mentorship and teaching.
  • Participating in both
    undergraduate and graduate education.
  • Participating in service and
    outreach for the College.

For
private sector or government laboratory applicants, lack of a proven teaching
or extramural research funding record could be addressed with other related
credentials that demonstrate strong communications skills and a demonstrated
history of technical depth and leadership. We seek an individual who is
able to work with and attract various undergraduate and graduate students and
colleagues. Development of novel courses pertaining to the candidate's
area of expertise, as well as exceptional teaching of our core curriculum, is
expected.

Minimum Qualifications
  • The applicant must hold a Ph.D.
    (or an equivalent doctorate degree) in Optics, Physical Sciences,
    Engineering or related fields.
  • Candidates with all levels of expertise beyond
    the Ph.D. may apply.
Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience and demonstrated leadership roles in post-doctorate research, and teaching and industrial experience in optics is desirable.
  • Experience in private-sector enterprises can be a valuable candidate asset.
Rank To be Determined
Tenure Information Tenure Track (T/TE)
FLSA Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week 40
Job FTE 1.0
Work Calendar Academic
Job Category Faculty
Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay DOE
Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies 1
Target Hire Date 8/16/2027
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates Dr. Ron Driggers,

rdriggers@arizona.edu
Open Date 10/8/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Documents Needed to Apply Resume, Cover Letter, and Three Additional Documents
Special Instructions to Applicant

Please upload the following documents with your application:



  1. Cover Letter
  2. Curriculum Vitae which includes list of publications, and the names and contact information for three references as the final page
  3. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
  4. Statement of Research Interests
  5. Statement or portfolio of teaching experience

Documents 3-5 may be uploaded into the additional document sections.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
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