Associate Senior Lecturer – tenure track position in Physics with a focus on Theory of Open Quantum Systems for Quantum Technology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

At the Division of Mathematical Physics research is conducted primarily in the field of quantum mechanical many-body physics, which includes theoretical nuclear structure physics, nanometre physics, quantum information, atomic theory and material modelling, with numerous partnerships both internationally and within Lund University. 

The Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) is a 12-year initiative aimed to bring Swedish academia and industry to the forefront of quantum technology. The four pillars of quantum technology are: quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum communication and quantum sensing. The centre is funded mainly by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation with additional contributions from the participating universities and industry. WACQT is committed to promoting career development, diversity and gender equality through networking and supporting activities.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, 6 years, according to chapter 4, section 12a of the Higher Education Ordinance (HEO), with the opportunity of promotion to senior lecturer. 

Job description
Employment as associate senior lecture is a career development position, where the holder is to be given the opportunity to develop his or her independence as a researcher and educator. The employment will be at the Division of Mathematical Physics. The position is supported by WACQT which, besides salary, finances one four-year doctoral student position and one two-year postdoc position.

The research area of ​​the position is the theory of open quantum systems for quantum technology concepts and applications. In particular, investigations of open quantum system dynamics, quantum coherence, entanglement and dephasing, and quantum measurements and quantum sensing, metrology and control, with a focus on interacting light-matter systems, will be emphasized.  

The defining aim of quantum technology is to harness superposition and entanglement for radical improvements, in terms of capacity, sensitivity and speed, of applications in a broad range of areas such as information processing, material science and electronics, measurements and control. Key research areas in quantum technology at the Department of Physics are world-leading activities on quantum control of light-matter interactions and rapidly growing efforts on applications in nanoscale electronic systems, supported by WACQT. A common feature for these research areas is experiments on open quantum systems with both electronic and photonic degrees of freedom. Supporting, strengthening and further connecting these research areas is of great interest to WACQT and of strategic importance to the Department of Physics. 

The tasks will mainly be to conduct and develop research within the specified research areas. The employee is also expected to contribute to teaching at the department, by teaching and being course responsible in basic and/or postgraduate education. In addition to these main tasks, the duties will consist of supervising bachelor and master thesis students as well as acting as supervisor for doctoral students and as support and collaboration partner for postdocs. The tasks will also consist of actively seeking external research funding, both independently and in collaboration with colleagues at the department, nationally and internationally.

The employment includes teaching, currently 10-30% of a full-time position, averaged over the entire period of employment. The content of the tasks, as well as the distribution and scope between research and teaching, may change over time.

Qualification requirements
A person who holds a PhD or has the corresponding research expertise shall be qualified for appointment as an associate senior lecturer. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their degree or have obtained corresponding expertise no more than five years before the last date for applications. A person who has obtained a PhD or the equivalent expertise earlier may be eligible if there are special grounds. 

For this position a PhD exam in physics (or equivalent) is required.

For academic staff at Lund University the general qualification requirements are to be suited to and having the general ability required to complete the duties of the post well.

Very good skills in English, both written and spoken, are requirements for the position.

Basis of Assessment 
A good ability to develop and carry out high-quality research activities, and teaching skill. The main selection criteria for the position are scientific and pedagogic skills, with an emphasis on scientific skills. 

When assessing the scientific competence, these requirements must be met and documented in the application:

• Research experience relevant to the position after the doctoral degree, e.g. subject-relevant postdoctoral fellowships, and a development towards an independent research career.
• Documented experience of theoretical work in open quantum systems and quantum technology.

Strong emphasis will be put on an independent research plan where it is also important to describe how the applicant's research strengthens, connects and complements the quantum technology research at the department. It is also beneficial to relate the research plan to the activities within WACQT.

A special merit is the demonstrated ability to obtain research funding from external sources.

Pedagogical skills are also an important basis for assessment. Therefore, experience in teaching at the university level, including planning and development of teaching, is considered a merit. 

Strong emphasis is also put on personal qualities and documented good collaboration ability. Desirable traits are openness, curiosity, creativity, originality, independence, and the ability to collaborate with colleagues within the academy.

It is expected that any non-Swedish speaking appointee within a three-year period will master the Swedish language well enough to be able to teach and to communicate with the university administration in Swedish.

When making the appointment, consideration will be given to the Lund University Appointment Rules. 

Promotion
An associate senior lecturer is to be promoted, on application, to employment as a senior lecturer on an indefinite-term contract if he or she has the qualifications required for the post and is assessed to be suitable in accordance with the qualification requirements and assessment criteria established by the Faculty of Science. An associate senior lecturer may only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements and assessment criteria for promotion to a permanent position as senior lecturer:

• Well documented research expertise is important for the discipline. The following criteria will be applied:

           - High national and international standing as a researcher 
           - High-quality publications in international research journals.
           - Independent research profile.
           - Qualifications corresponding to those of a reader.
           - Participation in scholarly conferences or workshops.
           - Research funding from national or international funding bodies.

• Well documented teaching expertise. The following criteria will be applied:

           - Good subject knowledge and documented experience of teaching at different levels of higher education.
           - Documented ability to develop and renew courses and teaching methods.
           - Documented ability to lead and organise education.
           - Documented ability to supervise Master´s and PhD students.
           - Five weeks´training in teaching and learning in higher education or the equivalent.

• An ability to interact with wider society and provide public information on current research and development.
  
  
• An ability to work as a leader in higher education, including leading research projects and participating in decision-making bodies at university, faculty or department level.

An application for promotion to a permanent position as senior lecturer is to be submitted to the faculty at the latest 6 months before the appointment as associate senior lecturer ends. The application for promotion is to be judged by the teacher’s appointment board after acquisition of the opinion of at least two experts on the subject.

Design and content of the application
We would recommend you to write your application in English, since it will be assessed by international experts. The application should be formulated according to the Faculty of Science’s application instructions for teaching positions.