Physics and Astronomy: Two Assistant Professor in Robotics Engineering--Notice of Filing

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh•Eau Claire, WI

61d

About The Position

Two probationary tenure-track faculty positions in Robotics Engineering at the rank of assistant professor are available in the Physics and Astronomy Department in the College of Arts and Sciences; higher rank may be considered for candidates with extensive experience. The program seeks dynamic candidates with expertise in robotics engineering or a closely related engineering discipline who is committed to teaching excellence and to maintaining an active research program involving undergraduates. This appointment begins August 18, 2025. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is developing a new interdisciplinary engineering program in Assistive Systems and Robotics Engineering. The proposed program, which is designed for ABET accreditation, is currently under review for approval by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents. The robotics program is squarely aligned with the university's longstanding strategic partnership with the Mayo Clinic and is focused on applications in healthcare (assistive robotics, medical applications) and the human-machine interface. The program builds upon strong programs in Physics, Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and Biomedical Engineering (BME). Combined these units currently graduate about 110 students each year. Both the MSE and BME programs are ABET accredited. THE ROBOTICS ENGINEERING PROGRAM: Robotics Engineering is a new interdisciplinary program, designed for ABET accreditation that is housed in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The program is focused on applications in healthcare (assistive robotics, medical applications) and the human-machine interface. It has developed out of strong programs in Physics, Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering and Biomedical Engineering (both the MSE and BME programs are ABET accredited). Combined these units currently graduate about 110 students each year. THE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT: The Department of Physics & Astronomy is composed of 7 faculty, one part-time adjunct instructional staff, an instrumentation specialist, and a department assistant. The department strives to provide quality undergraduate programs to students with a variety of educational goals, including Robotics, Physics, Applied Physics, Astrophysics, Pre-Engineering, and Dual Degree Engineering. We actively promote collegiality among faculty and work to provide a supportive environment for all students. We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion as we seek to increase the numbers of women and underrepresented groups among our students and staff. Current areas of active research with strong emphasis on undergraduate collaboration include biophysics, computational physics, astronomy/astrophysics, optics, surface science and organic electronics. The department has research equipment including an optics laboratory, electronics laboratory, wood and metal shops, and a digital fabrication lab. In addition, the department has access to a campus high-performance supercomputer center with two clusters comprising over 4,000 CPU cores spread across 85 nodes. The department participates in a wide variety of outreach endeavors to K-12 schools. The department is closely linked to the interdisciplinary Materials Science & Engineering Center with a large array of materials characterization instrumentation (thermal deposition equipment, XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDS, AFM, XPS, XRF, Tensile testing, hardness testing, nanoindenter, etc.) and 3D Printing facilities. Additional information about the department can be found on our website: uwec.ly/physics. UNIVERSITY and EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY: UW-Eau Claire, an institution of approximately 10,000 students and 1,200 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as a top comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. We strive for excellence in liberal education and select graduate and professional programs through commitment to teaching and learning and dedication to our core values of diversity, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. Construction of the new Science and Health Sciences building on campus began this summer.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering field from a regionally accredited higher education institution by August 18, 2025.
A strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, and the ability to establish a research program in robotics engineering that involves undergraduates is required.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and scholarship will be considered an asset.
Prior teaching experience in robotics engineering may be considered an asset.
Expertise in control systems; applications of sensors, actuators and embedded controllers; design of systems that integrate hardware and software to control mechanical systems may be considered an asset.
Industry experience in robotics engineering may be considered an asset.
The ability to bring diverse cultural and ethnic experiences and perspectives to the campus and to serve as a role model and mentor for women and/or minorities may be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Instructional responsibilities include teaching all levels of Robotic Engineering courses, particularly upper-level courses in control systems; applications of sensors, actuators and embedded controllers; design of systems that integrate hardware and software to control mechanical systems.
The course load is approximately 12 contact hours each semester, which includes both lecture and laboratory sections.
Faculty are expected to participate in collaborative research and scholarly activities involving undergraduate students.
Responsibilities will include keeping the curriculum current with the field and participating in the ABET accreditation process.
Additional responsibilities include advising students in the robotics engineering major as well as service to the department, University, and profession.

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