Assistant or Associate Professor - Applied Quantum Computing

Department: Electrical and Computer
EngineeringSalary: Commensurate with
experience/education
Description:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at
the University of Houston (UH) invites applications for a
tenure-track faculty position in Applied Quantum Computing,
Communication, Cybersecurity, and Quantum-Safe Artificial
Intelligence at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. The
successful candidate will be appointed at the Assistant Professor
(tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenure-eligible) rank, based
on experience and qualifications. The tenure home will be in ECE,
with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with the
Department of Computer Science in the College of Natural Sciences
and Mathematics, the C. T. Bauer College of Business, the HPE Data
Science Institute, and other relevant programs across UH.

Quantum computing is rapidly transitioning from a predominantly
laboratory-based research area into a cloud-accessible technology
platform through investments by Amazon, Google, Microsoft, IBM,
NVIDIA, and other technology leaders. While substantial advances
have been made in quantum hardware and algorithms, an important gap
remains between emerging quantum capabilities and their practical
deployment in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, financial
engineering, retail, logistics, and enterprise computing. The
successful candidate will develop an application-driven research
program that bridges foundational quantum technologies and
real-world users, integrating quantum algorithms, artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, communications, optimization, and
financial engineering. The position is intended to create a bridge
between leading technology providers and application-driven users
in industry, including retail, logistics, Texas industries
requiring advanced cybersecurity and secure computing, and
financial and quantitative trading organizations.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish an
internationally recognized, externally funded research program;
develop collaborations spanning Engineering, Computer Science,
Business, and Data Science; pursue major multi-investigator and
center-scale funding opportunities; teach undergraduate and
graduate courses; mentor graduate and undergraduate students; and
contribute to the educational and research missions of UH. This
strategic hire will also support workforce development through the
UH Katy expansion, the CEA Financial Engineering minor, and future
development of a Financial Engineering track within the ECE M.S.
program.

Relevant research areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Quantum computing and quantum algorithms
• Quantum machine learning and quantum-enhanced AI
• Quantum communications and networking
• Quantum-safe cybersecurity and post-quantum cryptography
• Secure and trustworthy AI
• Privacy-preserving computing
• Cloud quantum computing
• Quantum optimization and decision systems
• Financial engineering and quantitative finance
• Portfolio optimization and risk modeling
• Algorithmic trading and financial forecasting
• Supply-chain and logistics optimization
• High-performance and heterogeneous computing

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public
research university located in one of the nation's largest
metropolitan areas. ECE maintains a strong and growing research
portfolio, extensive interdisciplinary collaborations, and a strong
record of graduate education, research translation, and industry
engagement.

UH is located in Houston, the fourth largest city in the United
States, with access to a major industrial base, the Texas Medical
Center, NASA, and a broad technology and innovation ecosystem.
Houston offers exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary
research, industry collaboration, commercialization, and workforce
development.

The department seeks outstanding candidates with the potential for
exceptional research, excellence in teaching, and effective
mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualifications:

Applicants must possess an earned doctorate in electrical
engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics,
applied mathematics, financial engineering, or another closely
related field at the time of appointment.

Candidates should demonstrate strong potential for developing an
externally funded, internationally recognized research program at
the intersection of quantum technologies, AI, cybersecurity,
communications, or application-driven quantum computing.

For appointment at the Associate Professor level, candidates
should have a demonstrated record of research excellence, external
funding, scholarly impact, teaching, and professional leadership
commensurate with appointment at that rank.

Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated research
support or significant engagement with NSF Quantum Information
Science programs, DOE quantum initiatives, DARPA, NIST
cybersecurity programs, or industry-supported quantum computing,
cybersecurity, AI, or financial technology initiatives.

Anticipated Start Date: Fall 2027, or as
negotiated.

How to Apply:

Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a
description of research interests (not exceeding three pages). The
application and associated documentation should be submitted to the
following site for consideration: https://www.uh.edu/provost/faculty/prospective-faculty/

Employees are expected to have a home address in the state of
Texas for the duration of their appointments.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and
will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security
sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals
conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e.,
communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems,
electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water
treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the
security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal
Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.