Description:

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at the University of Houston (UH) invites applications for a Presidential Frontier Faculty (PFF) position at the rank of tenure-track Assistant Professor.

The PFF program at UH is a university-wide, integrated, interdisciplinary faculty hiring initiative designed to address federal priorities and societal challenges in health, energy, sustainability, and security. We seek an outstanding individual with demonstrated expertise or strong research potential in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Engineering for Next-Generation Energy and Manufacturing Systems, connecting physical artificial intelligence, digital twins, cyber-physical systems, scalable artificial intelligence and computing, advanced manufacturing, and reliable energy technologies.  The position is proposed as a joint appointment with 85% effort in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and 15% effort in Computer Science (CS), with Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering serving as the tenure home. The appointment is expected to begin in Fall 2027.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, physical artificial intelligence, digital engineering, digital twins, cyber-physical systems, scientific machine learning, sensing, controls, optimization, predictive modeling, and reliability of engineered systems. Relevant application areas may include energy, manufacturing, aerospace, and critical infrastructure systems, including smart and autonomous manufacturing, emerging energy technologies, fusion-enabling and advanced nuclear systems, superconducting and cryogenic systems, energy storage, data-center energy, power-dense electronics, and resilient infrastructure.

The successful candidate is expected to establish a nationally recognized and externally funded research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute to high-quality undergraduate and graduate education through effective teaching. The candidate will be expected to collaborate within MAE and across UH, including with CS, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Decision and Information Sciences (DISC) in the C. T. Bauer College of Business, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Data Science Institute, the UH Energy Institute, the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH, and related centers and institutes. Candidates should have a strong record of scholarship, a creative vision for future research, a commitment to engineering education, and excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and systems engineering, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UH comprises approximately 38 full-time faculty, 90 doctoral students, 200 master’s students, and more than 1,500 undergraduates. MAE has established strengths in materials, mechanics, manufacturing, thermal sciences, controls, robotics/autonomy, aerospace systems, and energy systems.

UH is a Carnegie Tier One public research university in Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city and a global center for energy, aerospace, health, and technology. The university offers a highly collaborative environment across Cullen College of Engineering, Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Bauer College of Business, and university-wide institutes, with strong opportunities for interdisciplinary research, collaborations, and industry engagement.

Applicants should submit:
• A cover letter highlighting the candidate’s strengths and interest in the position.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A statement of research vision and plan.
• A statement of teaching philosophy and plan.
• A list of at least four references with names and contact information.

To apply, please visit http://www.uh.edu/human-resources/careers. Review of applications will begin in November 2026 and continue until the position is filled. For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Yashashree Kulkarni at ykulkarni@uh.edu.

Employees are expected to have a home address in the state of Texas for the duration of their appointments.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.