Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering – Aerospace - 9 Month

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arkansas invites applications for outstanding candidates to fill a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position of Aerospace with an anticipated start date of August 2027. The department is seeking candidates with a strong background in Aerospace Engineering with focus areas in Autonomous Systems, Hypersonics, In-space Power & Propulsion, Interplanetary Spacecraft Mission & Technology, Multifunctional/Smart Material and Structure, Plasma Physics, and/or other aerospace topics of emergent relevance. Both experimental and computational specialists with the ability to work on ITAR-restricted research are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a Ph.D. (or earned by August 2027) in mechanical engineering or a very closely related field. Applicants should demonstrate potential for high-quality research, securing competitive research funding, generating high-quality publications, teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, and providing appropriate service to the department, university, and profession. Successful candidates will demonstrate collaborative and interdisciplinary synergy with existing research strengths on-campus and have excellent communication skills. This is an in-person position. Most university classes are offered face-to-face, and extensive in-person engagement in such activities as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education, conferred by the start of employment
• Demonstrated research and/or industry experience in areas directly relevant to the search focus areas of Autonomous Systems, Hypersonics, In-space Power & Propulsion, Interplanetary Spacecraft Mission & Technology, Multifunctional/Smart Material & Structure, Plasma Physics, and/or other aerospace topics of emergent relevance
• Demonstrated potential for high-quality research and publications
• Demonstrated engagement in collaborative research
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work on ITAR-restricted research
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience in pursuit and receipt of competitive research funding
• Experience in teaching and/or teaching support for undergraduate and graduate courses

Responsibilities

• Potential for high-quality research
• Securing competitive research funding
• Generating high-quality publications
• Teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses
• Providing appropriate service to the department, university, and profession
• Demonstrate collaborative and interdisciplinary synergy with existing research strengths on-campus
• Maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others

Benefits

• University contributions to health insurance
• University contributions to dental insurance
• University contributions to life insurance
• University contributions to disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree