What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Physics position at MIT Department of Physics?
Position Description
The Department of Physics together with the Schwarzman College of Computing (SCC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) located in Cambridge, MA, invites applications for a faculty position at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Physics at the level of tenure-track Assistant Professor beginning July 1, 2026 or as soon thereafter as possible.
We encourage candidates doing relevant research on any aspect of AI and Physics, broadly defined, including using Physics principles and methodologies to understand and develop AI models and algorithms, and using AI to help solve problems in Physics. We particularly welcome candidates who would strengthen connections between AI, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and/or Statistics.
The successful candidate will have a shared appointment in both the Department of Physics and the SCC, either in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), depending on best fit. The successful candidate will also be a member of the NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions (IAIFI), hosted by the MIT Laboratory for Nuclear Science (LNS) and the Department of Physics.
Faculty duties include teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, advising students, conducting original scholarly research, and supervising students' participation in research. Candidates are expected to teach both in the Department of Physics and in the educational programs of the SCC. The standard teaching load is two subjects per year.
A PhD degree in Physics or another relevant field is required by the start of employment. The pay range for a 9-month academic appointment at the entry-level Assistant Professor rank (excluding summer salary) is $140,000–$156,000. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements. These factors impact where an individual’s pay falls within the range.
Applications submitted online to AcademicJobsOnline.org by December 15, 2025 will receive full consideration. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a brief description of research interests and goals (not to exceed 3 pages), and a 1 to 2-page statement on teaching and mentoring. They should also arrange for 3 letters of reference to be uploaded by the application deadline. Any inquiries should be directed to Prof. Michael Williams, Physics search committee co-chair (mwill@mit.edu).
MIT is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. View MIT Policy on Non Discrimination and EEOC’s Know Your Rights. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.
The Department of Physics together with the Schwarzman College of Computing (SCC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) located in Cambridge, MA, invites applications for a faculty position at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Physics at the level of tenure-track Assistant Professor beginning July 1, 2026 or as soon thereafter as possible.
We encourage candidates doing relevant research on any aspect of AI and Physics, broadly defined, including using Physics principles and methodologies to understand and develop AI models and algorithms, and using AI to help solve problems in Physics. We particularly welcome candidates who would strengthen connections between AI, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and/or Statistics.
The successful candidate will have a shared appointment in both the Department of Physics and the SCC, either in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), depending on best fit. The successful candidate will also be a member of the NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions (IAIFI), hosted by the MIT Laboratory for Nuclear Science (LNS) and the Department of Physics.
Faculty duties include teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, advising students, conducting original scholarly research, and supervising students' participation in research. Candidates are expected to teach both in the Department of Physics and in the educational programs of the SCC. The standard teaching load is two subjects per year.
A PhD degree in Physics or another relevant field is required by the start of employment. The pay range for a 9-month academic appointment at the entry-level Assistant Professor rank (excluding summer salary) is $140,000–$156,000. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements. These factors impact where an individual’s pay falls within the range.
Applications submitted online to AcademicJobsOnline.org by December 15, 2025 will receive full consideration. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a brief description of research interests and goals (not to exceed 3 pages), and a 1 to 2-page statement on teaching and mentoring. They should also arrange for 3 letters of reference to be uploaded by the application deadline. Any inquiries should be directed to Prof. Michael Williams, Physics search committee co-chair (mwill@mit.edu).
MIT is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. View MIT Policy on Non Discrimination and EEOC’s Know Your Rights. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.
Salary : $140,000 - $156,000