Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics - Associate Professor - 530188

The University of Alabama•Tuscaloosa, AL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM) and the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering (SCoE) at The University of Alabama (UA) invite applications for a tenured faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor. Candidates with research interests across all domains relevant to aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics are encouraged to apply. Candidates with research emphasis and interests in the areas of (1) guidance, navigation, dynamics & control (GND&C) and (2) autonomous aerospace systems are of particular interest and thus are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates with prestigious achievements, significant impact in their fields, and exceptional national and international reputations will be eligible for consideration for significant endowment support through appointment as an Endowed Shelby Distinguished Associate Professor. These positions are one of the highest honors bestowed upon faculty at The University of Alabama, and candidates who feel their record and accomplishments warrant consideration for this additional honor should indicate this in their cover letter. Towards achieving excellence in all our efforts, the AEM department and the SCoE seek to hire faculty that can contribute to both building upon existing strengths and expanding the scope of research within the department, college, and university as a whole during a period of record growth and success. The Styslinger College of Engineering has experienced tremendous growth in its faculty, facilities, student populations, and research enterprise over the past decade. The College currently has more than 4,800 undergraduate students and almost 800 graduate students. The AEM department has also seen significant growth in recent years, with undergraduate program enrollment of 570 students in the fall of 2025 and graduate enrollment of nearly 200 students. The department currently offers three degrees: a BS in Aerospace Engineering, an MS in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. The two graduate programs are offered both on-campus and through distance education. The department is currently on a multi-year effort to significantly expand its faculty size to help better serve its students and educational mission and to add both depth and breadth to the range of research activities represented across the department and its faculty. AEM and the SCoE consider teaching, research, and service as the three critical and complementary portions of their overall mission. Candidates must demonstrate experience and the ability to successfully lead and extramurally fund a highly productive research program with significant scholarly impact in an area with long-term potential to further build upon the rapid rise and success of the AEM department and the SCoE. An ability to collaborate with existing faculty in the key focus areas both within the department and college, as well as with potential colleagues across the campus, is highly desirable. The department and college also pride themselves on the outstanding educational experience provided to their students, and thus faculty candidates must demonstrate an ability to develop and teach classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the faculty member’s area(s) of expertise as well as to teach courses that support the delivery and accreditation of the Department’s core degree programs. The department, college, and university are also notable for the collegial, welcoming, and supportive spirit built into the fabric of who we are and how we interact across our family of students, faculty, and staff. It is therefore expected that candidates will demonstrate an ability to support this important aspect of our community.

Requirements

Earned PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely-related discipline from an accredited institution.
Demonstrated interest and record in aerospace engineering or engineering mechanics education and professional service.
Demonstrated record of prior research work and sustained scholarly publications in refereed journals, conference proceedings, and similarly impactful venues.
Demonstrated ability of excellent teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Ability to develop and sustain a quality research program at The University of Alabama.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Must meet all university criteria for appointment to the rank of Associate Professor.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of experience as a tenure-track/tenured faculty member at a leading peer R1 institution.
Demonstrated record of high-quality and impactful research and scholarly publications that is recognized nationally and/or internationally and appropriate to the position.
Significant record of outstanding teaching, curriculum development, and scholarship in an engineering department with both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Exceptional communication, advising, mentoring, and interpersonal skills.
Research emphasis and interests in the areas of (1) guidance, navigation, dynamics & control (GND&C) and (2) autonomous aerospace systems.
Record and accomplishments warrant consideration for Endowed Shelby Distinguished Associate Professor.

Responsibilities

Lead and extramurally fund a highly productive research program with significant scholarly impact.
Collaborate with existing faculty in key focus areas both within the department and college, as well as with potential colleagues across the campus.
Develop and teach classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the faculty member’s area(s) of expertise.
Teach courses that support the delivery and accreditation of the Department’s core degree programs.
Support the collegial, welcoming, and supportive spirit of the community.