Employment Opportunities

The University of Dayton (UD) Department of Electro-Optics and Photonics (EOP) invites applications for a tenured Professor to fill the Endowed Chair in Lidar and Free Space Optical Communications Institute (LOCI) anticipated to begin on August 16, 2025. This prestigious position will work in collaboration with the Sensors Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RY) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Furthermore, you will have the exciting opportunity to shape the future of our engineering students. If this opportunity intrigues you, apply today.

The Opportunity
The University of Dayton invites applications for the Endowed Chair in Lidar and Free Space Optical Communications Institute (LOCI). The endowment was funded by BAE, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Textron. We are seeking a nationally recognized scholar to build and guide an interdisciplinary research and academic program in lidar and free space optical communications in collaboration with the Sensors Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RY) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Chair will forge partnerships with industry and other organizations and advance the regional and national stature of LOCI. Applicants with research experience in any area of Lidar or Free Space Optical Communications will be considered, including detectors, lasers, beam steering, lidar imaging and information processing.

The Department
At the University of Dayton, we are proud to be one of only a handful of academic programs in the world to offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electro-Optics and Photonics. Areas of research covered in EOP include lidar, optical communications, photonic integrated circuits, holography, nonlinear optics, atmospheric optics, silicon photonics, terahertz spectroscopy, imaging and color science, optical thin films and nanofabrication.

Our world-class laboratories and research directly aligns with government labs and commercial industries, allowing students to obtain real-world and highly marketable skills. Our students present their work at leading international conferences and participate in internships at our partner industries. We have close ties with high-tech industries, defense labs and academia.

The University
UD’s School of Engineering (SoE) values collaboration, inclusiveness, community-engaged learning and adaptation to change. We strive to develop engineers who are socially and globally aware, understand business and entrepreneurship, are prepared to take on leadership roles and are conscious of the consequences of their work — to society, the environment and the profession. Service learning is strongly valued, whether in classroom projects or the variety of immersive technical experiences supported by The Ethos Center‘s 20 year history. Other unique features include interdisciplinary minors such as our Human Rights and Engineering minor.

The City of Dayton
Dayton’s environment is a great place for those who want a bit of everything with a low cost of living, great schools, and manageable traffic. UD’s campus is a walk away from The Great Miami Riverway (also home of the nation’s largest paved trail network). Our central location provides easy access to a burgeoning downtown area, expansive metro parks named for our convergence of five waterways, a vibrant arts scene, historic neighborhoods, and the Dayton Aviation Heritage and National Historical Park. See daytoncvb.com for more information about the area.

At the University of Dayton, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we encourage all candidates to apply.

• PhD in a related Engineering or Science discipline
• 10 years of research experience in academia, industry or government in photonics, lidar or free space optical communications including detectors, lasers, beam steering, lidar imaging and information processing.
• Sustained and prestigious international record of scholarly publications, patents or books in any area of Lidar or Free Space Optical Communications will be considered, including detectors, lasers, beam steering, lidar imaging and information processing.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Articulated commitment to inclusive excellence in teaching at the graduate level
• Articulated ability to support the University of Dayton’s commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Because of the need for collaboration with U.S. government agencies, and the need to access controlled research facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

While not everyone may meet all preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Successful Experience mentoring student research at the MS or PhD levels
• Peer recognition or awards
• Expressed willingness to engage with the Catholic and Marianist values of the University of Dayton including educating the whole person and leading a commitment to inclusive excellence and service to the community, university and profession
• Successful experience establishing and maintaining an externally-funded research program from national agencies with a robust portfolio of research activities involving graduate students
• Successful experience in inclusive excellence in teaching at the graduate level
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Effective oral communication skills
• Effective classroom management skills

A complete application consists of:

• Cover letter that addresses all minimum qualifications and any preferred qualifications met. 

• CV 

• In no more than 3 pages, describe 

  • your vision for how your research would enhance and build upon LOCI’s current capabilities, including how you would obtain the resources to enhance LOCI;

  • your vision for teaching and how inclusive excellence informs your teaching at the graduate level;

  • your vision for leadership and how you would forge partnerships with industry and other organizations and advance the regional and national stature of LOCI.

• Names of 3 references who may be contacted later in the process (references will not be contacted without applicant’s permission)

Posting closes at 11:55 PM EDT, April 20, 2025.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.  The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position

The University of Dayton is a top tier, Catholic research university with offerings from the undergraduate to the doctoral levels. Founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary, the University is a diverse community committed to advancing the common good through intellectual curiosity, academic rigor, community engagement and local, national and global partnerships. Guided by the Marianist educational philosophy, we educate the whole person and link learning and scholarship with leadership and service.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The University is also pleased to provide support for spouses of prospective and newly hired faculty through its dual career program. While we cannot guarantee placement, we serve as an effective resource and support system for your spouse. Information can be found at  https://udayton.edu/hr/dual-career-resources.php