Assistant Professor of Teaching in Aerospace Engineering

Position overview Position title: Assistant Professor of Teaching in Aerospace Engineering

Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment; see table. The salary range for this position is $103,700 - $129,600. Off-scale salaries and other components of pay (i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step) are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: July 1, 2026, with the academic year beginning in August 2026. Degree requirement must be met no later than June 30, 2027 for employment beyond that date.

Position duration: Security of Employment

Open date: June 24, 2025

Most recent review date: Monday, Sep 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California Merced invites applications for the position of full-time Assistant Professor of Teaching in Aerospace Engineering with potential security of employment (parallel to tenure track). This position will have responsibilities to coordinate and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in all areas of Aerospace Engineering with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

The Professor of Teaching series parallels that of the research-focused series but with an emphasis on excellence in teaching and other instruction-related activities. Individuals in the position are expected to provide outstanding teaching and engage in professional activity, including but not limited to research on pedagogy and service related to the pedagogical mission of the School of Engineering and UC Merced.

This appointment confers membership in the Academic Senate, and, contingent upon promotion, tenure- paralleling security of employment. Appointment, merit, and promotion in the Professor of Teaching series requires, in addition to excellence in teaching and service, that the candidate makes externally recognized contributions to research/creative activity in pedagogy and/or the discipline.

Preferred candidates: (1) have teaching experience or evidence of the ability to teach, particularly using student success centered approaches; (2) have demonstrated management or organizational skills and be comfortable advising students on industrial career paths, entrepreneurship, and graduate study opportunities; and (3) be interested in pushing design thinking and experience forward with a teaching approach that is suited to recent needs.

Candidates will require a Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related area at the time of appointment, which will be effective July 1, 2026.

Basic qualifications

Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related area. All but dissertation (ABD) candidates will be considered. It is expected that the degree requirement will be completed no later than June 30, 2027.

Preferred qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering
• Experience teaching courses at the undergraduate level
• Industry or postdoctoral experience
• Experience developing new undergraduate courses
• Experience mentoring and advising undergraduate students
• Record of interdisciplinary work and collaboration

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Teaching - Statement describing your teaching philosophy, approach, and relevant experience. Please list which classes in the aerospace engineering undergraduate curriculum you would feel confident in teaching and explain the background you would bring to these courses.

• Statement of Pedagogical Research - Statement describing your interests and plans for research in engineering education. Please note that this position is…