Brandeis University, Physics Department

Position ID:

Brandeis-PHYS-PHYSENGRTT [#30965]

Position Title:

Assistant Professor of Computational Soft Materials Science and Engineering

Position Type:

Tenured/Tenure-track faculty

Position Location:

Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, United States of America

Subject Area:

Physics / Engineering

Starting Date:

2026/07/01

Appl Deadline:

2025/11/30 11:59PM help popup

(posted 2025/10/23, listed until 2026/04/22)

Position Description:

About Brandeis: Brandeis University combines the best traditions of a research-intensive (R1) university with a strong emphasis on teaching, characteristic of a liberal arts college. Our suburban campus in Waltham, MA is part of the dynamic academic science & technology environment of the greater Boston area. As part of our ongoing commitment to interdisciplinary excellence, we are launching a new Engineering program that will embed Engineering faculty within our world-class Science departments, fostering research, education, collaboration and innovation at the intersection of engineering, the sciences, and the liberal arts.

Position Description: We are seeking applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Computational Soft Materials Science and Engineering at the Assistant Professor level to hold the Karin '59 and Burt '57 Meyers Endowed Professor of Engineering. We are looking for individuals excited to contribute to the development of a groundbreaking program that integrates engineering into the sciences, breaking free from traditional disciplinary boundaries. We are particularly interested in candidates who will establish an independent research program using modern computational approaches to tackle problems in the areas of biomaterials (bioinspired and/or living matter), soft materials (polymers, liquid crystals, colloids), soft robotics, or biomolecular engineering (design, self-assembly, and/or engineering of biomolecules and biomolecular machines), with an eye to innovative applications that address societal challenges. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about collaborating with our outstanding scientists with world-class strengths in biomaterials, biophysics, molecular engineering, self-assembly, active matter, colloids, polymers, and liquid crystals. The successful candidate will have an appointment in the Physics department, but their teaching will be devoted to the Engineering program. They will have the opportunity to participate in our NSF-funded Brandeis Bioinspired Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC; https://www.brandeis.edu/mrsec/), and to recruit students from multiple Ph.D. programs, including Physics, Applied Math, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Life Sciences.

The successful candidate will join our growing team of engineers in teaching in an innovative and inclusive undergraduate Engineering Science major that is truly integrated in the sciences and liberal arts, and prepares students for graduate studies or diverse careers in engineering and professional fi elds. The role involves teaching core Engineering courses, upper-level courses in the candidate’s area of expertise, collaborating extensively with faculty across the University to enhance the curriculum, and participating in ABET certification: https://www.brandeis.edu/arts-sciences/new-initiatives/engineering/index.html

Qualifications: Candidates should possess a Ph.D. in Engineering or significant Engineering teaching experience, with a demonstrated record of research productivity. We expect the successful candidate to establish a robust, externally-funded research program, participate in interdisciplinary collaborations, and engage in scholarly publication. The candidate should be passionate about inclusive undergraduate engineering teaching in collaboration with the sciences and liberal arts.

Opportunity and Impact:

At Brandeis, we believe that collaboration between engineers and scientists is vital for driving innovation. Engineers bring technical expertise to translate scientific discoveries into practical technologies, while scientists provide visionary insights that inspire cutting-edge engineering solutions. Together, we can accelerate research breakthroughs and expand the boundaries of possibility. This position offers a distinctive opportunity to shape the future of research and teaching at Brandeis, contributing engineering thinking and tools to our creative and interactive scientific community.

Brandeis University is committed to creating equitable access and opportunities for applicants to all employment positions. We value and are seeking candidates with a variety of social identities who possess skills that spark innovation, and who, through their scholarly pursuits, teaching, and/or service experiences, bring expertise in building, engaging and sustaining a pluralistic, unified, and just campus community.

Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").

Application Process: First consideration will be given to applications received by November 30th, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. The position will start on July 1, 2026, or on a mutually agreeable date thereafter, pending budget approval. Applicants should submit a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching interests, a research plan, a statement of the broader impacts of their engineering research, teaching, and advising, and contact information for three referees to AcademicJobsOnline at: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30965.

The broader impacts statement should briefly summarize the social impact of the applicant's research, teaching, and advising, their perspective on the responsibilities of engineering programs in the 21st century, and ideas for how to broaden the community of engineers at Brandeis and beyond

Equal Opportunity Statement Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Research statement
Teaching statement
a statement of the broader impacts of their engineering research, teaching, and advising
Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )

And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/physics/

Search Committee Chair
Department of Physics - MS 057
Brandeis University
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453