Klein Distinguished Professor in Optical Science - University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
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The University of North Carolina at Charlotte seeks a Klein Distinguished Professor in Optical Science
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/UNC_Charlotte_Prof_OpticalSci_Profile.pdf
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
The Position:
The Department of Physics and Optical Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for the endowed Klein Distinguished Professor in Optical Science. This position is for an internationally recognized researcher with a demonstrated record of scholarship and leadership in applied optics. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in physics, optics or a closely related field. The position is available at either the associate professor rank (“Distinguished Scholar”) or the full professor rank (“Distinguished Professor”).
The selected candidate will establish and lead a cutting-edge research program in applied optics, fostering collaboration within the department and across the Klein College of Science and beyond in alignment with key UNC Charlotte research areas, including optics and optoelectronics, advanced manufacturing and metrology, and nanoscale science and materials. The department has active research programs in nanoscale device fabrication, metamaterials, advanced microscopy, low-dimensional materials, freeform optics, materials for high-energy-laser applications, optoelectronics, optical coherence and interferometry, and biomedical optics. We especially seek candidates who will build on the department’s existing strengths and lead expansions into emerging areas in applied optics and photonics. Candidates are encouraged to elaborate their vision.
To Apply:
For full consideration, apply by January 4, 2027. A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. Please submit a Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Interest that addresses your reasons for interest and related qualifications/experience. References and additional materials will be sought later for those who advance in the process. Refer to our blog on strengthening application materials and letters of interest here.
Note that the anticipated start date is August 11, 2027. The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of their highest earned degree and submit to a criminal background check. More details about the department are available at physics.charlotte.edu.
This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate’s or the university’s eligibility for federal funding.
Please Note: Any interested candidates should contact Summit Search Solutions directly. Contacting the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will only delay consideration of your qualifications.
To make inquiries or nominations, contact:
Andrea Martinez, M.Ed.
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
919-357-8766
amartinez@summitsearchsolutions.com
The University of North Carolina is committed to equality of educational and employment opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on any protected status.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte seeks a Klein Distinguished Professor in Optical Science
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/UNC_Charlotte_Prof_OpticalSci_Profile.pdf
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
The Position:
The Department of Physics and Optical Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for the endowed Klein Distinguished Professor in Optical Science. This position is for an internationally recognized researcher with a demonstrated record of scholarship and leadership in applied optics. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in physics, optics or a closely related field. The position is available at either the associate professor rank (“Distinguished Scholar”) or the full professor rank (“Distinguished Professor”).
The selected candidate will establish and lead a cutting-edge research program in applied optics, fostering collaboration within the department and across the Klein College of Science and beyond in alignment with key UNC Charlotte research areas, including optics and optoelectronics, advanced manufacturing and metrology, and nanoscale science and materials. The department has active research programs in nanoscale device fabrication, metamaterials, advanced microscopy, low-dimensional materials, freeform optics, materials for high-energy-laser applications, optoelectronics, optical coherence and interferometry, and biomedical optics. We especially seek candidates who will build on the department’s existing strengths and lead expansions into emerging areas in applied optics and photonics. Candidates are encouraged to elaborate their vision.
To Apply:
For full consideration, apply by January 4, 2027. A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. Please submit a Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Interest that addresses your reasons for interest and related qualifications/experience. References and additional materials will be sought later for those who advance in the process. Refer to our blog on strengthening application materials and letters of interest here.
Note that the anticipated start date is August 11, 2027. The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of their highest earned degree and submit to a criminal background check. More details about the department are available at physics.charlotte.edu.
This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate’s or the university’s eligibility for federal funding.
Please Note: Any interested candidates should contact Summit Search Solutions directly. Contacting the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will only delay consideration of your qualifications.
To make inquiries or nominations, contact:
Andrea Martinez, M.Ed.
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
919-357-8766
amartinez@summitsearchsolutions.com
The University of North Carolina is committed to equality of educational and employment opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on any protected status.
Institution: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
This is a full time position
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