Associate Professor or Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing)

The Opportunity

Advanced Manufacturing is a critical field of development and has been evolving rapidly since the first inception of additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping. Since then, the field has exploded and involves every type of material, from metals to polymers, ceramics and composites. What was once known as additive manufacturing has evolved into advanced manufacturing with the creation of additive and subtractive manufacturing systems that combine cutting-edge additive processes with subtractive processes, such as in-situ CNC machining. Such systems enable alternating between the additive and subtractive processes, enabling even more unique structures to be fabricated. Advanced manufacturing has created a new boom for the manufacturing industries. With the lightspeed pace of advancement occurring in advanced manufacturing systems, there is a real need to apply science to the processes, and UCF has the capabilities to develop significant fundamental understanding of the processes occurring in these advanced materials and components fabrication systems.

Advanced manufacturing exists in a space nestled between mechanical engineering and materials, and is applicable to all industries, including energy, transportation, aerospace and space. This interdisciplinary field requires creative, flexible and collaborative scientific leaders in order to interpret and guide the development in key areas such as robotics, automation software and materials. Candidates for this opportunity should have significant experience in one or more advanced manufacturing areas such as cold spray, spray forming, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), directed energy deposition (DED), E-beam additive manufacturing (EBAM), and/or laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) for new generation materials and systems for space, hypersonics, energy, radiation resistant, and biomedical materials. Knowhow in large scale additive manufacturing (LSAM), sustainable manufacturing, biomanufacturing, nanomanufacturing, human-robot collaboration in manufacturing is an advantage. Experience with mechanical/physical property characterization, in-situ process diagnostics – thermal, imaging and AI/ML algorithms, and robotics for manufacturing tasks. Manufacturing is ubiquitous and can augment, complement, and collaborate the clusters and initiatives currently thriving at the University of Central Floriday (UCF).

The Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) invite applicants for a 9-month, full-time faculty position at the rank of associate professor (tenured), or professor (tenured). The position will carry a rank commensurate with the candidate’s experience and record. This position has an anticipated start date of August 8, 2025.

The ideal candidates will work at the intersection of the relevant research areas associated with the aforementioned themes. They are expected to have research impact, as reflected in high-quality publications, and the ability to build a funded and sustainable research program and strengthen development of new collaboration and partnership paradigms to launch and scale research and business ventures. Such ventures should enable UCF to address the new challenges of rapid and disruptive innovation in advanced manufacturing. We are looking for team players with a multi-disciplinary outlook who can help bring together current campus efforts in manufacturing research.

UCF is one of the nation’s largest universities with a diverse student body of more than 68,000 students and has grown substantially in size, quality, diversity, and reputation. Today, the university offers more than 200-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. UCF has been also 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 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’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.

UCF's students represent all 50 states and over 120 countries. UCF is in a centralized location that is 30 minutes to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando and 60 minutes to the beach. UCF has 16 sports teams, including football, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and over 600 cultural, academic and social student clubs and organizations all led by faculty mentors. In addition, UCF has several associations for faculty and staff, among them, the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA), the Latino Faculty and Staff Association (LaFaSA), and the PRIDE Faculty and Staff Association. UCF received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

UCF houses research centers or clusters with potential for collaboration in advanced manufacturing: Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems (RISES), Renewable Energy and Chemical Transformation (REACT), Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), CATER (Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research), Biionix Cluster, and the new Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion (HyperSpace).

Central Florida has been also home to several global companies. Orlando hosts major engineering firms, including Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, Lockheed Martin, and Navy NAWCTSD. UCF is also close to other major engineering centers, including NASA Kennedy Space Center (<1 hour), L3 Harris (<1 hour), Pratt & Whitney (Raytheon, <2 hours), and Northrop Grumman (<1 hour). All these engineering centers 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. CATER has identified several key thematic areas for further expansion and investment, most notably hypersonics.

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:

An earned doctoral degree or foreign degree equivalent from an accredited institution in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering.

The selected candidates must also have a record of high impact research in the area of advanced and additive manufacturing, demonstrated by a strong scholarly record.

To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor or tenured 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 successful candidate will demonstrate a strong research record and teaching excellence in topics related to advanced manufacturing. The candidate is expected to lead impactful research, secure external funding, and contribute to curriculum development. We seek individuals with a collaborative approach who can engage with industry partners and enhance the department's interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives. The ideal candidate will also bring innovative approaches to addressing the challenges of advanced manufacturing, contribute to interdisciplinary research, and mentor young faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students across related programs. Prior experiences as a full-time researcher at a national lab or large interdisciplinary research center are preferred.

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.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to:  Diana Perez, Administrative Assistant III, at Diana.Perez@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.

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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. 

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