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

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). Candidates with a strong background in hypersonics and space systems are highly encouraged to apply.

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

These positions have an anticipated start date of August 8, 2026. Each of these hires will strengthen UCF and 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.

Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in an area appropriate to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or Applied Mathematics 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.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate a sustained record of external research funding in hypersonics and space, as well as experience leading large, multidisciplinary proposal teams. Evidence of research productivity through publications in reputable, peer‑reviewed venues is expected. Additional qualifications include experience mentoring students, a history of collaborative research, and strong proficiency in written and oral English communication. Candidates must also present a clearly articulated and focused research plan that supports collaborative and transformative work in hypersonics and space.

• A curriculum vitae.
• A letter of interest describing qualifications for the position, such as research agenda and teaching experience/interest.
• A 3‑4 page research statement
• A 1‑2 page teaching statement

NOTE
:
Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. 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 the committee at Hypersonics Search.

Sponsorship for employment‑based visas will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and is not guaranteed. Preference will be given to candidates who are currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Open until filled

Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we…