Notice of Vacancy

William Band Chair of Theoretical Physics

Department of Physics and Astronomy
Washington State University

The Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications and nominations for the William Band Chair of Theoretical Physics.  All research specialties within a broad interpretation of theoretical physics, including astrophysics, atomic-molecular-optical physics, condensed matter physics, materials science, and emerging fields of physics such as biophysics, will be given consideration.  Preference will be given to those applicants whose specialties complement and enhance current research in the department as discussed below.   This is a permanent, full-time position at the rank of full Professor with tenure beginning August 16, 2008.  The Department of Physics and Astronomy is actively committed to diversity within our community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct creative theoretical physics research of the highest standards.

• Establish and direct an internationally recognized theoretical physics group.  Obtain the necessary resources for the group.  It is expected to include senior and postgraduate visitors, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. 

• Teach innovative, high quality, graduate and undergraduate courses at all levels. 

• Contribute to the advancement and growth of the department, and participate in the activities that maintain and strengthen its overall health.

The William Band Chair:

The Chair of Theoretical Physics was made possible by a generous donation from William and Claire May Band.  The holder of the Band Chair will receive the spendable interest on the endowment for the purposes of supporting research and scholarly activity.

Background

William Band was a native of Liverpool, England and was educated at the University of Liverpool.  After receiving the MSc degree in 1927, he served as a Lecturer at Liverpool until 1929.  He then took a position as Lecturer at Yenching University in Beijing where he later served as assistant professor, professor and department chairman until 1941.  In Chungking, he also served as Science Representative in the British Embassy Liaison Office until 1945.  In 1946, he was awarded his DSc from Liverpool.  From 1947 to 1949 he was a research associate at the Institute for Metals and a Fellow at the Institute for Nuclear Studies at the University of Chicago.  He was professor of physics at WSU from 1949 until 1971 and department chairman from 1962 until 1966.  William Band was especially noted for his research in the area of nucleation theory.  He was the author of the physics textbooks: “Introduction to Mathematical Physics” and “An Introduction to Quantum Statistics”.   He and Claire Band wrote “Two Years with the Chinese Communists” that recounted their experiences in China during World War II.

The Endowment

In 1993, a distinguished professorship was created from donations of Claire May and William Band.  It has since grown considerably through continuous reinvestment of interest and the addition of state matching funds. The fund is currently valued at $1.65M. 

Department:

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is a major research and teaching department in the College of Sciences with responsibilities in graduate education and research, undergraduate physics education, and service courses.  Excellent research programs are actively being pursued in acoustics, astrophysics, atomic physics, chaos and nonlinear dynamics, condensed matter physics, femtosecond and nonlinear optical physics, low-temperature physics, materials and nanoscience, shock wave and high pressure physics, and surface science. The graduate student population is currently 63 students. The department offers B.S., M.S. (thesis and nonthesis), and Ph.D. degrees in physics. Further there are interdisciplinary Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science, and Engineering Science, and a Certificate program in Optoelectronics.

University and Locale:

Washington State University is a comprehensive land grant university and, is one of the two major research universities in the State of Washington.  It is located in eastern Washington, about 75 miles south of Spokane, in Pullman.  The region, known as the Palouse, has a population of 55,000 people, and is also the home of the University of Idaho.  WSU has approximately 18,000 students in the Colleges of Science, Liberal Arts, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmacy, and Business on its main campus in Pullman.  The region boasts the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, a broad range of outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, biking, skiing (both Nordic and downhill), horseback riding, golf, and white water sports, and is also near the Columbia, Walla Walla, and Yakima Valley Wine appellations.

Qualifications:

• An internationally recognized record of significant theoretical physics research accomplishments and creative activities, and the promise of continued high productivity.

• Demonstrated ability for establishing and maintaining an internationally competitive research program.

• A strong commitment to teaching high quality graduate and undergraduate courses.

• A Ph.D. in physics or related field with at least five years of relevant experience past the awarding of the degree.

• Demonstrated strong track record of extra mural funding. 

Applications and Nominations:

Applicants should submit a letter of application, a detailed curriculum vita that includes a complete list of publications, a statement of research goals, and the names of at least three references with appropriate contact information.   Please also include a very brief summary of who the references are and their connection to the applicant. 

It is preferable that application materials be submitted electronically in pdf format to sabreen@wsu.edu. For further information, please contact Sabreen Dodson, phone (509) 335-9532, FAX (509) 335-7816. Alternatively, materials can be submitted in writing to:

William Band Search Committee
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Washington State University
Pullman, WA  99164-2814
USA

In addition, the Search Committee invites nominations of appropriate individuals by third parties.  The nomination can be in writing or by email, and can be confidential.  Appropriate nominees will be subsequently contacted by the Search Committee and invited to submit a formal application.   Questions can be directed to Prof. Michael D. Miller, phone: (509) 335-5303, email: mdm@wsu.edu

Further considerations:

Screening of completed applications will begin January 1, 2008.

We invite inquiries concerning the WSU partner accommodation policy.

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action educator and employer. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.  Washington State University employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens.  All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.  To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources Services:  509 335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service:  Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers:  1-800-833-6388, 509 – 335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.