Assistant Professor in Experimental Soft Matter or Biophysics

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Tufts University invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in Experimental Soft Matter or Biophysics, with a target start date of September 1, 2027.

We seek an outstanding experimental researcher who will establish an innovative, externally funded program addressing fundamental questions in soft matter physics, biophysics, or a closely related area. We interpret these areas broadly across soft, complex, and living systems and seek candidates who will complement existing strengths while bringing new experimental capabilities and research directions to the department.

Possible areas of interest include complex fluids and rheology; colloids, interfaces, and self-assembly; polymers, gels, granular and jammed systems; active and nonequilibrium matter; mechanics and transport in soft systems; molecular and cellular biophysics; mechanobiology and living systems; and new experimental approaches. We emphasize scientific excellence and creativity over any particular experimental platform or physical system and welcome research that creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Tufts provides a strong environment for this work, with relevant expertise across Physics and Astronomy, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, and Applied Mathematics. Particular strengths include soft and active matter, fluid mechanics, biomaterials, biomechanics, microfluidics, imaging, and quantitative biology. Tufts' location in the Boston metropolitan area provides additional opportunities for collaboration with universities, research institutes, hospitals, and technology companies.

Tufts is an R1 research university, and Physics and Astronomy has active programs in condensed matter physics, high energy physics, astrophysics and cosmology, quantum information, and physics education. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research program involving graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to the intellectual life of the Department and University.

The Department places a strong value on educational excellence. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate physics courses and have opportunities to develop new courses. Candidates should demonstrate promise as an effective teacher and mentor and a commitment to evidence-informed growth as an educator. The teaching load for research-active faculty is one course per semester.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field by the time of appointment, have relevant postdoctoral experience, and should demonstrate a strong record of research accomplishment and the potential to develop an independent, internationally recognized research program.

Applicants should submit through Interfolio:

* a cover letter;

* a curriculum vitae including publications;

* a research plan describing prior accomplishments and future research directions;

* a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy; and

* three confidential letters of reference.

Neither the research plan nor the teaching and mentoring statement should exceed three pages (excluding citations).

Applications should be submitted at https://apply.interfolio.com/192318 . For full consideration, applications should be received by November 1^st 2026. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to the Dept. Chair Prof. Tim Atherton, timothy.atherton@tufts.edu.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a background check.

Tufts University is committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation that reflects each candidate's experience, expertise, responsibilities, and performance. The pay offered within the posted range will be determined based on a variety of factors such as (but not limited to) the individual's education and experience, discipline, rank, internal equity, and budgetary considerations. Ranges represent full-time 9- or 12- month base salaries.