Department of Physics

Anniversary Professorships and Readerships 2011

The University has recently announced the creation of up to twenty new professorships and readerships to mark its 50th anniversary. The Department of Physics strongly encourages applications for these positions, which may be held in the department solely, or jointly between departments at York. The University aims to attract applicants with internationally excellent research profiles. The closing date is 24 October 2011.

The department particularly encourages applications (whether for Physics-only or interdepartmental appointments) which are consistent with its strategy for research development. The department has reached the point in its growth where expansion into a new research area is an option; we would particularly welcome discussions with those working in applied or interdisciplinary fields. One such area is Biophysics, which is currently a growth area in the Department of Biology and where there is the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration. Excellent applicants whose work lies within the areas of our existing research groups (Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Plasma Physics & Fusion) are also welcomed. For all applicants, some synergy with existing research activities and/or facilities would clearly be desirable.

The department would like to hear from candidates with innovative and strategic proposals. For applicants wishing to establish a new research area we will be able to offer some financial support to create one or more academic posts and facilities where appropriate.

Details of the groups and their research are available through the department's Research home page.

In the department’s current vigorous period of growth, enhancing our research capability has been paramount, both through the recent appointment of 18 internationally active researchers to new academic posts, and through major investments in laboratories and facilities.  We have established  the £8M York-JEOL Nanocentre with world-class facilities for nanoscale fabrication and analysis incorporating a flagship ultra-high-resolution electron microscope, created the York Plasma Institute through a £6M investment by the University and EPSRC, and established several computer clusters for high-performance simulations and a nuclear-physics detector development facility.  The national 2008 Research Assessment Exercise recognised the department's strength across its research groups, with 55% of its submission judged by an independent panel to be of internationally excellent or internationally leading quality, and 90% as achieving international recognition. The department's success contributed to the University of York’s continuing strong performance in the RAE, in which it was ranked eighth out of 159 higher education institutions. 

The department's growth in research over recent years is matched by its buoyant undergraduate and graduate programmes (in both cases student numbers have doubled over 10 years).

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Head of Department, Professor Sarah Thompson (Tel. (+44) (0)1904 322252, sarah.thompson@york.ac.uk), or any other member of the department, to discuss possibilities.

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