The Opportunity

The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month, full-time faculty position at the rank of assistant professor (tenure-earning), or associate professor or professor (tenured) in the area of space photonics.  Topics of interest include but are not limited to: astrophotonics; space domain awareness; remote sensing; space-based quantum sensors; space-to-ground and space-to-space communications; and space-based photonic devices. This search is tied to a substantial investment by UCF in its Space and Planetary Instrumentation, Commercialization, and Exploration (SPICE) initiative, in collaboration with the Florida Space Institute, Department of Physics, and other UCF units. This includes the establishment of a dedicated Space Photonics Research Laboratory, a related Space Photonics Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory, and a planned lecturer hire (in addition to this current tenure track search).

The successful candidate will be expected to establish a top-quality, vigorous, highly visible research program, teach and mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and contribute to service in the institution and profession.

CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, is one of the world’s foremost institutions for research and education in optical and photonic science and engineering. The college offers Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in optics and photonics, and a B.S. degree in photonic science and engineering. The faculty engage in fundamental and applied research and education in lasers, optical fibers, semiconductor and integrated photonic devices, nonlinear and quantum optics, and imaging, sensing, and displays. The college is now home to the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE), the Townes Laser Institute (TLI), and the Institute for the Frontier of Attosecond Science and Technology (iFAST). In addition, the College of Medicine, which includes the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, provides rich opportunities for collaboration.  For more information visit www.creol.ucf.edu.

Located in Orlando, Florida, UCF is classified as a Very High Research Activity (R1) university by the Carnegie Foundation. With a diverse student body of more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country. The university offers more than 230-degree programs.  UCF is committed to diversity and was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2019.  For the fifth consecutive year, UCF has been recognized among the nation’s most innovative universities according to U.S. News & World Report, while Kiplinger’s and The Princeton Review have ranked UCF as one of the nation’s best values for a college education. For more information, visit https://www.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. from an accredited institution in optics or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment.  Applicants must demonstrate strong research experience with a high record of scholarly publications.

To obtain tenure upon hire, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience in photonic instrumentation and research, particularly related to space applications and high record of funding.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.  In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching plans, and names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search may be directed to Professor Stephen Eikenberry at Stephen.Eikenberry@ucf.edu.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers: 

• Benefit packages including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program.

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options.

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment.

• And more…For more benefits information, go to ‘Prospective Employees’ on the UCF Human Resources website (https://hr.ucf.edu/)

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins. 

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of higher education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to employment in research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty positions (including employed visiting positions), graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral scholar positions, and undergraduate positions.