We are seeking expressions of interest for course instructors. Openings for these positions may occur on short notice, ranging from days to months in advance. Please submit an application if you would like to be considered for these positions.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Calendar for the most up-to-date calendar descriptions for Physics courses.
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (AMO), Photonics or Biophysics, Department of Physics & Astronomy
Date posted: October 24, 2025
The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (AMO), Photonics, or Biophysics at the Assistant Professor level. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2026. In the case of exceptional candidates, an appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor will be considered.
A Ph.D. degree in Physics or a related discipline and evidence of exceptional promise in research and teaching is required. Successful applicants are expected to develop and maintain a research program of outstanding quality and impact, to attract and supervise graduate students, to obtain external funding at the level required to maintain a thriving research group, and to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The salary range is $115,000 to $130,000, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates. Further information about the Department can be found on our web page: https://uwaterloo.ca/physics-astronomy/
Candidates should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, an outline of research accomplishments, a research plan, and a statement of teaching philosophy and goals. The names and full contact information for at least three references should be provided. All application material, including the names of referees, should be uploaded to https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca/. Applications received by January 3, 2026 will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Dr. David Hawthorn, Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo; E-mail: physics@uwaterloo.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents of Canada will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Quantum Materials, Department of Physics & Astronomy
Date posted: October 24, 2025
The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Quantum Materials at the Assistant Professor level. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2026. In the case of exceptional candidates, an appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor will be considered.
A Ph.D. degree in Physics or a related discipline and evidence of exceptional promise in research and teaching is required. Successful applicants are expected to develop and maintain a research program of outstanding quality and impact, to attract and supervise graduate students, to obtain external funding at the level required to maintain a thriving research group, and to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The salary range is $115,000 to $130,000, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates. Further information about the Department can be found on our web page: https://uwaterloo.ca/physics-astronomy/
Candidates should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, an outline of research accomplishments, a research plan, and a statement of teaching philosophy and goals. The names and full contact information for at least three references should be provided. All application material, including the names of referees, should be uploaded to https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca/. Applications received by January 3, 2026 will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Dr. David Hawthorn, Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo; E-mail: physics@uwaterloo.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents of Canada will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.
Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), Associate or Full Professor in Neutron Sciences
Date posted: August 27th, 2025
Located in the heart of Waterloo Region, the University of Waterloo is at the forefront of innovation and home to world-class research and inspired teaching. The Faculty of Science is seeking exceptional scholars and researchers to take up a position as a Canada Excellence Research Chair https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx (CERC) in Neutron Sciences. The CERC program was established to offer Chairs valued at $500,000 or $1,000,000 per year, for a total of $4,000,000 or $8,000,000 over eight years. The University of Waterloo is proceeding with nominations at the $500,000 level, with funds allocated towards the Chair’s salary and research expenses.
The search is focused on an outstanding experimentalist with exceptional research accomplishments and potential in next generation neutron instrumentation, neutron source development, and interdisciplinary neutron applications. It is expected that the candidate will be an exceptional leader in neutron science and technology with an established and bold vision aligned to the national need for next-generation neutron infrastructure for materials characterization, nuclear medicine and radiobiology. The successful candidate is expected to establish a nationally visible research program that leverages neutron technologies for innovation in both fundamental and applied sciences with a particular focus on neutron applications in soft matter, biology and health. The candidate must also demonstrate a clear vision of incorporating growing research and industrial sectors in the region.
Candidates will have a PhD or equivalent with relevant professional designation or licensure, a requirement of the University of Waterloo. A global research leader with evidence of an exceptional research program that has made a major societal impact, the candidate will propose an innovative program of high-quality research that includes collaboration with researchers in closely related fields and supervision of graduate students. They will also teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels (a reduced teaching assignment will be in place during the term of the Chair) and provide service to the unit. Applicants whose research aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan https://uwaterloo.ca/strategic-plan/ and Research Strategic Plan https://uwaterloo.ca/research-strategic-plan/ and Government of Canada priorities https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx#4 are preferred.
The role includes appointment to a full-time tenured or tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor within the Faculty of Science. All CERC appointments are subject to review and contingent upon approval by the CERC Secretariat https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx (results expected January 2027). The salary range for the position will depend upon the rank (i.e., Associate Professor, Professor).
Eligibility
Candidates should be at the rank of Full Professor or be an Associate Professor who is expected to be promoted to the rank of Full Professor within one to two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. The CERC program imposes no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence. Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at another Canadian institution are eligible, but should they be nominated the University will be required to demonstrate the net benefit to Canada in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another.
At Waterloo, it’s recognized that career interruptions can have an impact on research achievements. Applicants are encouraged to explain further how this may affect them in their application; this information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Contact the Office of Research (mail to: cerc@uwaterloo.ca) for full CERC information including further details on eligibility criteria.
How to apply
Applications received by October 1, 2025 will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Apply in confidence with a curriculum vitae, cover letter, research statement, teaching dossier, and up to five sample research outputs. Three letters of reference will be requested for applicants invited for an interview. If applicable, applicants are also invited to submit an optional letter or oral statement of support from the individual’s community that describes the individual’s involvement/role within the community, or a statement of lived experience. Send application packages to: Dr. Chris Houser, at chouser@uwaterloo.ca.
All applicants to this CERC opportunity are required to self-identify using the self-identification applicant survey at https://uwaterloo.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08RcdJzz6YAh4TX. The CERC program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants to assess the diversity of its candidate pool. Information disclosed by applicants will be kept strictly confidential.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Karen Parkinson (Occupational Health, occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca) who will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while ensuring that the information is safe-guarded and confidentiality is maintained. If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Dr. Chris Houser, Dean of Science, chouser@uwaterloo.ca.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.
Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), Associate or Full Professor in QUANTUM INFORMATION
Date posted: August 27th, 2025
Located in the heart of Waterloo Region, the University of Waterloo is at the forefront of innovation and home to world-class research and inspired teaching. The Institute for Quantum Computing, in collaboration with the Faculties of Mathematics and Science, is seeking exceptional scholars and researchers to take up a position as a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in the strategic priority area of Quantum Information. The CERC program was established to offer Chairs valued at $500,000 or $1,000,000 per year, for a total of $4,000,000 or $8,000,000 over eight years. The University of Waterloo is proceeding with nominations at the $500,000 level, with funds allocated towards the Chair’s salary and research expenses.
Candidates will have a PhD or equivalent with a relevant professional designation or licensure, a requirement of the University of Waterloo. A global research leader with evidence of an exceptional research program that has made a major societal impact, the candidate will propose an innovative program of high-quality research that includes collaboration with researchers in closely related fields and supervision of graduate students. They will also teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels (a reduced teaching assignment will be in place during the term of the Chair) and provide service to the unit. Applicants whose research aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan and Research Strategic Plan and the Government of Canada prioritiesare preferred. The search is open to all areas of quantum information related to the goals and ongoing research at IQC. We are especially interested in candidates working in:
- Quantum Error Correction,
- Quantum Networking,
- Interface Theory/Experiment,
- Applied Quantum Algorithms, and
- Quantum Materials/Devices.
The role includes appointment to a full-time tenured or tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor within the Faculty of Science or Mathematics, along with membership in IQC. Specifically, this position can be held in any of the following departments and schools connected to IQC: Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Combinatorics and Optimization, Computer Science, Chemistry, and Physics & Astronomy. IQC membership is renewable and comes with research space and a stipend. Information about research at IQC can be found at https://uwaterloo.ca/institute-for-quantum-computing/research. All CERC appointments are subject to review and contingent upon approval by the CERC Secretariat (results expected January 2027). The salary range for the position will depend upon the rank (i.e., Associate Professor, Professor).
Eligibility
Candidates should be at the rank of Full Professor or be an Associate Professor who is expected to be promoted to the rank of Full Professor within one to two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. The CERC program imposes no restrictions on nominees regarding nationality or country of residence. Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at another Canadian institution are eligible, but should they be nominated, the University will be required to demonstrate the net benefit to Canada in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another.
At Waterloo, it’s recognized that career interruptions can have an impact on research achievements. Applicants are encouraged to explain further how this may affect them in their application; this information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Contact the Office of Research for full CERC information, including further details on eligibility criteria.
How to apply
Applications received by September 30, 2025, will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Apply in confidence with a curriculum vitae, cover letter, research statement, teaching dossier, and up to five sample research outputs. Three letters of reference will be requested for applicants invited for an interview. If applicable, applicants are also invited to submit an optional letter or oral statement of support from the individual’s community that describes the individual’s involvement/role within the community, or a statement of lived experience. Send application packages to: https://uwaterloo.ca/institute-for-quantum-computing/research/available-positions.
All applicants to this CERC opportunity are required to self-identify using the self-identification applicant survey at https://uwaterloo.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08RcdJzz6YAh4TX. The CERC program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants to assess the diversity of its candidate pool. Information disclosed by applicants will be kept strictly confidential.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Karen Parkinson (Occupational Health, occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca), who will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while ensuring that the information is safe-guarded and confidentiality is maintained. If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact: IQC Executive Director at iqc-dtr@uwaterloo.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.
See the following links for other positions available with