Available Positions
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has employment opportunities for:
Undergraduates
Undergraduate Summer Research Positions
Through its NSF funded REU Program (Research Experiences for Undergraduates), the department has summer positions available for undergraduate research assistants.
Paid summer research positions in Italy are available through a DOE-NSF/INFN student exchange program. Applicants must be US citizens who have completed at least three years of an undergraduate curriculum in physics, engineering or computing science at a US university.
Undergraduate Teaching Internship Positions
The department has positions during the academic year for undergraduate students to serve as teaching interns in introductory physics and astronomy courses. Interns typically work as teaching assistants in laboratory or recitation sections, or serve as workshop leaders. The internship program is open to all undergraduate science majors. Visit the teaching internship program page to learn more.
Graduates
Graduate Assistantships
Students admitted to the department's graduate program usually receive financial support either from the department or from external foundations.
Post-doctorates
Postdoctoral Associate: CMS Experiment at CERN
The High Energy Physics group at the University of Rochester invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position on the CMS experiment at CERN. The Rochester group is involved in electroweak, top quark and Higgs measurements, as well as in searches for dark showers; in addition, the group participates in the operation of the hadronic calorimeter, the tracker, and the High-Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) and Silicon outer-tracker upgrades for the High-Luminosity LHC.
The successful candidate is expected to engage actively in analysis of CMS data and will have considerable freedom in developing this program, as well as participating in the hadronic calorimeter operation and/or upgrade (HGCAL). The position will be primarily based at CERN. Appointments are nominally for one year with the possibility of renewal up to five years total, subject to mutual satisfaction and the availability of funds under our grant.
Applications including a curriculum vitae, a publication list to which the applicant has made direct contributions, the contact information for three letters of recommendation, and a two-page description of research experience and interests should be submitted at: https://apply.interfolio.com/174354
Salary Range: $59,000 - $63,000.
The referenced pay range represents the full base range of pay for this job.
Review of applications will begin on November 1st and continue until the position is filled.
For more information about this post, please contact: Prof. Aran Garcia-Bellido (aran@pas.rochester.edu).
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
Postdoctoral Position in Exoplanets, Brown Dwarfs, and M Dwarf Star
Deadline to apply: December 15, 2025
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Applicants are invited to apply for a postdoctoral associate position in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester, working with Professor ZJ Zhang and his research group.
Research topics for this position include spectroscopic observations of gas-giant exoplanets, brown dwarfs, and M dwarf stars; atmospheric modeling and characterization of these objects through spectroscopy; and the discovery of new exoplanets and brown dwarfs from wide-field sky surveys. Candidates with expertise in any of these areas are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will have opportunities to participate in ongoing JWST and ground- based observational programs.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has privileged access to the twin 6.5-meter Magellan Telescopes and provides a supportive, collaborative environment for research. The successful candidate has access to Magellan Telescopes, high-performance computing facilities from the Center for Integrated Research Computing (CIRC), and opportunities to mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Rochester is a welcoming city with a vibrant cultural scene and abundant year-round outdoor activities in the Finger Lakes and surrounding region.
The nominal start date is August 1, 2026, with flexibility for an earlier or later start. The applicants should have obtained a Ph.D. in Astronomy or a related field before the start date. The initial term is 1 year, renewable annually for up to 3 years, contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding.
Applicants should submit the following materials through our online application system at https://apply.interfolio.com/173163. All materials are due December 20, 2025.
- Cover Letter (1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae, including a publication list (no page limit)
- Description of current research and future research plans (5 pages max, including text,figures, and tables; references do not count against the page )
- Three letters of recommendation
For more information, please contact Prof. ZJ Zhang at zjzhang@rochester.edu.
The nominal salary range for this position is $60,000—$64,000, with the final amount commensurate with experience. The referenced pay range represents the full base range of pay for this job. Individual salaries will be determined within the job’s salary range and established based on market data, experience and expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
Post-Doctoral Position in Quantum Nanostructures
The Quantum Nanostructures group at the University of Rochester, led by John Nichol, is seeking applications for a postdoctoral research associate. We are looking for a creative, self-motivated researcher who has the ability and interest to pursue exciting and challenging problems at the boundaries of quantum information processing and many-body quantum physics. Successful candidates should
- Have completed a PhD in physics by the start of the position.
- Have experience with dilution refrigerators.
- Have experience with microfabrication, including electron beam lithography.
- Possess good oral and written communication skills.
For more information about the group, visit labsites.rochester.edu/nicholgroup. The position is initially for one year but may be extended for a second and third year, depending on performance and funding.
Salary: $58, 656 - $63,000
The referenced pay range represents the full base range of pay for this job. Individual salaries will be determined within the job’s salary range and established based on market data, experience and expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
To apply, applicants should submit their CV, a brief statement of research interests, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to John Nichol (jnich10@ur.rochester.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
Marshak Fellowship in Particle and Nuclear Physics
The Marshak Fellowship in Particle and Nuclear Physics has been established to offer young scientists the opportunity to pursue innovative research at the University of Rochester in the fields of particle and nuclear physics, plasma astrophysics, and plasma physics and controlled fusion. To learn more, visit the Marshak Fellowship page.
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Tenure-Track Faculty Positions
Assistant Professor of Physics (tenure-track)
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester invites applications for a junior (tenure-track) professorship in theoretical physics. We are particularly interested in candidates who work on the physics of complex systems and/or on quantum information science, but we will consider excellent candidates working in a broad selection of fields in theoretical physics. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics or a related field, an outstanding record of research, and a commitment to teaching and mentorship at the graduate and undergraduate levels. This position is part of a cluster of new faculty lines at the University of Rochester in Biology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics, supported by the Simons Foundation.
At the University of Rochester, our faculty lead active interdisciplinary collaborations and integrated research efforts within Physics and Astronomy, with other departments on campus, and with collaborators outside the university. We are interested in candidates who can join existing interdisciplinary efforts.
Applications should include:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications
- A statement of research accomplishments and future plans
- A statement of teaching experience and interests
- Three significant/representative publications
- Three references
- Optional: A statement discussing the way in which your experiences will shape your pursuits as a member of our faculty and help you add to the University's core values of Meliora (ever better)
Applications can be submitted at: https://apply.interfolio.com/173432
Salary Range: $105,000-120,000
The referenced pay range represents the full base range of pay for this job. Individual salaries will be determined within the job’s salary range and established based on market data, experience, and expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create –and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Positions
There are no openings at this time.
Staff
There are no staff positions available at this time.