Assistant Professor in Physics with a focus on Experimental Ultrafast Quantum Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The department of Physics at Lund University, Faculty of Engineering invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor in Physics with a focus on Experimental Ultrafast Quantum Physics.

Description of the workplace
The Division of Atomic Physics at the Physics Department, Faculty of Engineering (LTH), Lund University has a staff of about 50 researchers including guest researchers and graduate students. The research at the division is mainly based on the use of lasers, ranging from diode lasers to terawatt lasers at the High-Power Laser Facility. Research areas include interactions between intense laser fields and matter, attosecond science, quantum information, solid-state X-ray spectroscopy, laser applications in medicine and biology, and industrial applications. More information can be found at www.atomic.physics.lu.se.

The position is linked to the Attosecond Science Group at the division. The research of the group includes ultrafast optics and lasers, attosecond pulse generation, and applications to the study of ultrafast phenomena in different elements. The research of the Assistant Professor is expected to explore an emerging topic at the frontier of attosecond science and quantum information, where fundamental quantum properties are explored on an ultrashort timescale. 

The position is supported by the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT). WACQT is a 12-year initiative with a volume of more than 100 M€. Its purpose is to advance Swedish academia and industry to the forefront of quantum technology and to build a Swedish quantum computer. WACQT is committed to promoting career development, diversity, and gender equality through networking and supporting activities.

In addition to salary for the holder, WACQT provides funding for a 4-year PhD position, a 2-year postdoc position, and 6 million Swedish kronor for experimental equipment.

The position includes teaching, typically 20 % of a full-time position averaged over the entire period of employment.

Subject
Physics with a focus on Experimental Ultrafast Quantum Physics

Subject description
The topic lies at the frontier of attosecond physics and quantum information. With the help of ultrashort pulses, quantum properties of matter can be investigated on a very short time scale. The research plan should have a focus on the interaction between light and matter on ultrashort time scales, especially quantum state measurements and quantum control. 

Work duties
Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education. 

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Development of methods and experiments relevant to the research topic.
• Teaching in the first, second, and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of master and doctoral students.
• Seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and interaction with society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements 
Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence. 

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within five years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria
For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability. 

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented experience of research relevant to the job's subject description.
• As part of their application, the applicant must submit a research plan that describes the research that will be conducted during the employment within the topic "Experimental ultrafast quantum physics", and how this complements and reinforces the research at the physics department.  The research plan should also contain information about possible collaborations within Lund University, within WACQT and with other universities and research institutes. The quality of the research plan is important for the assessment of the application. The research plan should mention which existing research infrastructure (at Lund University and/or at facilities with an open application procedure) will be used and whether there is a need for new research infrastructure.
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

Other qualifications

• Significant documented research experience (e.g. from doctoral or postdoctoral studies) or other relevant experience from industry/public sector.
• Documented project management experience.
• Documented experience in supervising bachelor's or master's projects.
• Documented experience in supervising doctoral students.
• Documented teaching experience.
   

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

We offer 
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.  Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee, Work at Lund University .

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:
http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in  Physics with a focus on Experimental Ultrafast Quantum Physics 

During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has: 

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise. 
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means. 

Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
• Progression in scientific and teaching expertise.
• Ability to actively, independently, and successfully seek external funding.
• Ability to contribute to the renewal and development of the activity.