Open Rank Professor of Aerospace Engineering

Rice University•Houston, TX

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas, invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position in aerospace engineering. The appointment may be made at the Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor level, commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. As part of Rice University’s ongoing investment in aerospace engineering, the department is strengthening its research and educational programs through strategic faculty hiring and expanded engagement with industry and government partners. The successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute to the continued growth of aerospace engineering at Rice while developing collaborations across the university and Houston’s broader aerospace community. We seek candidates whose research advances the future of aerospace engineering, particularly in areas aligned with sustainable and resilient aerospace systems and/or AI-enabled physical and autonomous systems. Areas of interest include but are not limited to autonomous flight and space systems; sustainable aviation and advanced propulsion technologies; computational, data-driven, and AI-enabled aerospace engineering; resilient aerospace structures and materials; technologies for space exploration and in-space operations. Exceptional candidates whose research expands the frontiers of aerospace engineering in other areas are also encouraged to apply. Rice seeks faculty who embrace a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration, and inclusive mentorship. Excellence in research and teaching will be the primary criteria for evaluation.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
Excellence in research and scholarship appropriate to rank.
Commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
Potential to establish or sustain a highly impactful, externally funded research program.
Commitment to mentoring students and contributing to a collaborative academic community.
For appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor rank, candidates should have a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, sustained external funding, and national or international recognition in their field.

Responsibilities

Establish or maintain a nationally and internationally recognized research program.
Contribute to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education.
Strengthen collaborations across the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing and Rice University.
Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with their expertise.
Establish and sustain a vigorous, externally funded research program.
Conduct innovative research and disseminate results through high-impact publications, conferences, and other scholarly activities.
Advise and mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers.
Contribute to departmental, school, university, and professional service.
Foster interdisciplinary collaborations within Rice and with external partners.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching, advising, and mentoring students from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.