Associate Senior Lecturer in Physics, with focus on condensed matter theory - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Engineering announces a position as an associate senior lecturer in physics, with focus on condensed matter theory, and with placement at the Department of Engineering and Physics. The department has extensive activities in the fields of physics, electrical engineering, and mechanical and materials engineering, which includes both research and teaching. Currently, the institution has approximately 60 employees.

The physics subject has a strong research profile in theoretical materials research, from fundamental questions in condensed matter physics to applied materials physics. The current research group, where the associate senior lecturer will be active, focuses on fundamental questions within condensed matter theory and has a wide national and international network.

The appointment as assistant lecturer aims to attract ambitious and qualified researchers in the field who are at the beginning of their career, with the main aim of gaining merit in the field.

Duties

The purpose of this appointment is to provide the candidate with the opportunity to increase your status as an independent researcher, as well as to acquire further research and teaching qualifications in order to meet the requirements for a permanent position as senior lecturer.

Main duties consist of research in condensed matter theory, with a focus on theoretical models for quantum transport, more specifically for anyons with applications in quantum computing. The tasks involve contributing to the development of the department by conducting high-quality research and strengthening its international network. You are expected to attract research grants from national and international funders and/or industry. Research is included in the employment to an extent of at least 75%.

The duties also include teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels. Teaching tasks can, for an associate senior lecturer, amount to a maximum of 25% of full time. The teaching is primarily within the subject of physics and may contain experimental tasks. The duties may also include administrative tasks and assignments within the university. You are also expected to contribute to the development of research and education at the department.

You are expected to collaborate with the wider community for a mutual exchange, as well as work towards ensuring that the knowledge and expertise available at the university is of benefit to society.

To contribute to a positive work environment and further the department’s activities, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of associate senior lecturer, applicants are required to hold a PhD or equivalent academic competence in physics with focus on condensed matter theory. The position is primarily intended for applicants who have completed their PhD, or acquired equivalent qualifications, no longer than five years before the application deadline. If an applicant completed their PhD or acquired equivalent qualifications more than five years ago, this requirement may, in special circumstances, be waived.

Pursuant to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure, teachers must have the personal qualities required to perform the duties involved, as well as a completed course in higher education pedagogy. Candidates who have not completed a course in higher education pedagogy may still be hired, provided that they use the time allotted to continual professional development to do so within two years of employment, or that they apply for validation of prior learning.

Good skills in English, oral and written, are required. The position also requires proficiency in Swedish.  If there is a lack of knowledge of Swedish, employment can still take place, provided the candidate has the ability and interest to actively acquire it.  

Assessment criteria

Priority is given according to the range and depth of an applicant’s academic competence, the scope of the research, and quality of the academic output, and the ability and desire to follow an academic career and potential to contribute to the future development of both research and education.

Special weight will be given to:

• Documented experience in theoretical studies of anyons with applications in quantum computing.
• Documented pedagogical skills regarding education at undergraduate and/or graduate level, documented skills in planning, executing and evaluating courses at undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Scientific production of high quality, peer-reviewed publications in reputable, international journals, as well as experience in participating in conferences and symposia.
• The applicant's ability to bring new skills and experience to the research group in theoretical physics, focusing on condensed matter theory, and to the physics research community.

Considerable weight will be given to:

• International research experience through work as a postdoctoral fellow or international stays.
• Experience in research within theoretical models for quantum transport
• Documented ability to successfully formulate research projects and apply for and obtain external research funds.
• Personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate, taking initiatives, result-oriented, taking responsibility, dedication, and a positive attitude towards colleagues and students.

Weight will be given to:

• Experience of positions of trust within the academy.
• Up-to-date experience of collaboration with the surrounding society, including research collaborations between academia and industry, and of communicating research and development work outside academia.
• Ability to teach in Swedish.
• Teaching awards

For other eligibility requirements, refer to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure https://www.kau.se/files/2023-12/Anstallningsordningen Kau_eng_20220928.pdf

Terms

Fixed-term employment with a duration of 4 years. Full-time, with a preliminary start date of 1 August 2024, or as agreed upon by both parties. 

The position requires that the applicant brings his/her own external research funds that correspond to the research part of the position, i.e. 75 % of full time.

Terms for promotion to senior lecturer

Upon applying, an associate senior lecturer should be promoted to senior lecturer provided he or she is qualified for the position (Higher Education Ordinance chap. 4, sect. 4) and is deemed suitable following an assessment (Higher Education Ordinance chap. 4, sect. 4a). It is also required that the associate senior lecturer, during the time as associate senior lecturer, has contributed to the university's research to a considerable extent and with high quality. The applicant must have completed a prerequisite course in higher education pedagogy.

Eligibility for permanent employment at Karlstad University usually includes proficiency in Swedish and English.

A candidate who does not meet this requirement may still be hired provided they are able to actively acquire these language skills.

For other eligibility requirements, refer to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, and Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure https://www.kau.se/files/2023-12/Anstallningsordningen Kau_eng_20220928.pdf

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. For advice on how to draft your application, refer to “What should be included with my application?”
Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• CV
• cover letter
• an in-depth account of research experience
• an in-depth account of teaching experience
• certificate to verify a completed course in higher education pedagogy, if such is completed or an account of equivalent skills
• an account of other relevant experiences
• managerial, collaborative, and administrative experience
• plans for future work
• an account of collaborations, experience in international networks etc.
• list of publications (in publications with multiple authors, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• Language skills certificates
• copies of course transcripts, degree certificates, and other certificates
• no more than 10 scientific publications and no more than 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, such as textbooks, computer programmes for teaching, or popular science articles
• two references, at least one of which is a current or former manager

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically, such as books or publications, should be sent in triplicate to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
Hanna Ljungdahl
651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: December 31, 2023                             

State the reference no: REK2023/273

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact