Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Hypersonics and Space

The Opportunity

As a national and world leader in space, aerospace, and hypersonics, the University of Central Florida (UCF) has established a center of excellence on this topic and is working to strengthen its research and education mission in this area.

As a part of this broad, university-wide strategic plan, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) invites applicants for multiple 9-month, full-time faculty positions at the rank of assistant professor (tenure-earning), or associate professor (tenured).  The positions and technical fields include, but are not limited to:

(1) High-Energy Battery-Propellant/Energetic Hybrid Systems (thermodynamics at molecular scale, quantum-theory, and molecular chemistry).

(2) Additive Manufacturing for Hypersonics and Space.

(3) Cryogenic Systems Design, Analysis and Testing.

(4) Computational Hypersonics Aerodynamics and AI.

(5) Hypersonics, Laser Diagnostics in Extreme Environments.

Or any related areas of research in the broader fields of hypersonics and space.

These positions have an anticipated start date of August 8, 2025. Each of these hires will strengthen MAE, and may include a combination of joint and/or secondary appointments. Both individual/interdisciplinary infrastructure and startup support will be provided with these new positions. The positions will carry a rank commensurate with the candidate’s experience and record.

Each successful candidate will work at the intersection of the relevant research areas associated with the aforementioned themes. They will have research impact, as reflected in high-quality publications and the ability to build a funded and sustainable research program. We are looking for team players who can contribute to current campus efforts in hypersonics and space research.

Central Florida has been known to be the center of space activities. With NASA Kennedy Space Center less than an hour away from Orlando, several well-known companies such as Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, and Lockheed Martin have their major headquarters in Orlando. Others such as Pratt & Whitney (Raytheon) and Northrop Grumman have their headquarters within easily drivable distances. All these companies share the same talent pools available in this region. UCF’s Orlando location also puts it at the center of the Florida High Tech Corridor. The corridor has an excellent industrial base that includes software, defense, space, simulation and training, and a world-renowned entertainment industry. Adjacent to UCF is a thriving research park that conducts over $2 billion in funded research, hosting more than 100 high-technology companies and UCF’s School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training. In response to this unique locational opportunity, CATER was founded to focus on student training and research on turbomachinery and associated energy systems for application in power generation, aviation, and space propulsion. CATER has 10 core faculty members at present, with a staff of 3 research faculty, 10 postdoctoral researchers, and 75 doctoral students. It collectively secured $10.5M of new external funding last year and graduates 13 doctoral students per year on average.

UCF is one of the nation’s largest universities with a diverse student body of approximately 68,000 students and has grown substantially in size, quality, diversity, and reputation. Today, the university offers more than 240 degree programs. In 2019, UCF was officially recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, and a "Green College" by the Princeton Review for our efforts in sustainability and environmental responsibility. The Carnegie Foundation classifies UCF as an R1 Doctoral University for its high research activity and community engagement. For the fifth consecutive year, UCF has been recognized among the nation’s most innovative universities according to U.S. News & World Report, while Kiplinger’s and The Princeton Review have ranked UCF as one of the nation’s best values for a college education. UCF has been the #1 supplier of aerospace and defense engineers seven years in a row as published by Aviation Week.

UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. UCF also has an accredited medical school that was established in 2006 and is a neighbor to the Orlando VA Medical Center, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and the UCF Lake Nona Medical Center. Great weather, easy access to the seashore, one of the largest convention centers in the nation, and one of the world’s best airports are just a few features that make Orlando an ideal location. We encourage you to learn more about UCF at http://www.ucf.edu/faculty.

Minimum Qualifications:

Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in an area appropriate to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering at the time of appointment. Each selected candidate also must have a record of scholarly publications or sponsored research related to hypersonics.

To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor upon hire, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of research, teaching, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at that rank.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have a record of sustainable external research funding in hypersonics, experience successfully leading large proposal teams, a strong record of research productivity, publications in leading venues, experience mentoring students, collegial collaborations, and excellent written and oral English communication skills. The ideal candidate will also be able to demonstrate a developed, focused plan for collaborative and transformative research in hypersonics.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.  In addition to the online application, candidates should upload the following:

(1) A cover letter,

(2) A current curriculum vitae,

(3) A 3-4 page research statement,

(4) A 1-2 page teaching statement,

(5) A list with contact information for three (3) professional references, including email addresses.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later. 

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Screening of applications will begin on January 15, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to the committee at HypersonicsSearch@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position. 

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?  

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck. 

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers: 

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.   

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.  

• Retirement savings options.   

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.   

• Education assistance.  

• Flexible work environment.   

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here. 

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins. 

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions: 

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela. 

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates. 

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.