Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor of Optics & Photonics, AI Initiative

The Opportunity

CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month associate professor or professor (tenured) or an assistant professor (tenure-earning) faculty position in the interdisciplinary area spanning Artificial Intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) and optics & photonics. Candidates with a strong background in any areas of optics and photonics that can contribute to AI for Optics and/or Optics for AI will be considered. Expertise that complements those of existing faculty within CREOL and UCF at large are of particular interest. They include but are not limited to 1) innovative use of AI/ML for designing and optimizing photonic materials, devices, and systems, 2) enabling photonic technologies for AI computing and artificial neural networks, 3) AI/ML-enhanced photonics applications including communication, imaging and sensing. It is also expected that the successful candidate will contribute to efforts to incorporate AI into our undergraduate and graduate curricula. This position is assigned to the main Orlando campus with a projected start date of Fall 2025.

CREOL is one of the world’s foremost institutions for research and education in optical and photonic science and engineering. The college offers MS and PhD degrees in optics and photonics, and a BS degree in photonic science and engineering. The faculty engages 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. 

UCF, Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University, is undergoing rapid growth in the size of external research funding, academic stature, and student and faculty diversity. Recently, UCF established the Artificial Intelligence Initiative (Aii) through its Strategic Investment Program. UCF supports and benefits from economic growth in Central Florida, which is emerging as a major hub for technology development. The university is located in the metropolitan Orlando area, which offers a vibrant lifestyle and a variety of cultural and recreational activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in electrical engineering, physics or related fields.

• An established record of research.

• Experience in optics and photonics.

• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in graduate and undergraduate education.

To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor or professor 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 in CREOL.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Highly recognized contributions in optics and photonics.

• Strong publications records in selective conferences and journals.

• Effective teaching skills, and ability to effectively communicate with students in both large and small audiences.

• Strong records or potential to initiate and maintain funding for the research programs.

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, candidates should upload:

• a cover letter,

• a current curriculum vitae,

• a research statement,

• a teaching statement,

• a list with 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 simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to:  Dr. Guifang Li, Search Committee Chair at li@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

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, Flexible Spending, and 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, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

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 education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.