Description

 Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Recruiting Plan for

Open Rank Professor Tenure/Tenure Track Position(s)

1. Advertisement description – Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of South Florida invites applications for tenured/tenure-track faculty positions in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. While outstanding candidates from all areas of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering are encouraged to apply, particular consideration will be given to applicants with expertise in one or more of the following areas: (1) Computational Supersonic and Hypersonic Flows, (2) AI, Autonomy, and Robotics, (3) Drones and Urban Air Mobility, (4) Advanced Manufacturing, (5) Aerospace Materials, and (6) Energy Systems. Applicants specializing in materials science without a clear connection to aerospace applications are discouraged from applying.

Successful applicants may be hired at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level and are expected to begin in the Fall 2026 semester. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution. Candidates should have demonstrated excellence in scholarly research and publications, the potential for sustaining an externally funded research program, and a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Exceptional applicants with a sustained record of externally funded research, outstanding scholarly work and publications, demonstrated excellence in teaching, and international recognition of their work will be considered for the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

The Department (http://me.eng.usf.edu) has 31 faculty members and offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. Faculty in the department actively collaborate with colleagues across the College of Engineering and other USF colleges, including Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Marine Science, Education, Nursing, and Public Health. The department also maintains strong partnerships with several USF research centers, such as the Nanotechnology Research and Education Center (http://www.nrec.usf.edu), Center for Urban Transportation Research (https://www.cutr.usf.edu), Center for Assistive Rehabilitation Robotics & Technologies (http://carrt.eng.usf.edu), Clean Energy Research Center (http://cerc.eng.usf.edu), H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, and Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research.

Established in 1964 and currently led by Dean Levi Thompson, the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is ranked #56 among public institutions (#89 overall) by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Engineering & Specialties Rankings. The college serves more than 3,700 students, offering nine bachelor’s programs as well as 12 master’s and eight doctoral degrees. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities with $46.9 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology and transportation.

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past ten years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Further, USF joined the American Association of Universities (AAU) in 2023. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee, the Florida Board of Governors designated USF as a Preeminent State Research University, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

An application package should include a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, and the names of at least four professional references. The cover letter should indicate the applicant’s interest in a specific rank and area of research. In addition, an application should include a statement (totaling no more than five pages) of the applicant’s research plans and teaching interests. A description of broader impacts should be included in the research plan. Applicants must electronically submit the application packet as a single PDF file to the following website: https://www.usf.edu/work-at-usf/careers/index.aspx. For consideration, please apply to the appropriate position level (Assistant Professor, Job ID #; Associate Professor, Job ID #; Full Professor, Job ID #). Applications will be considered starting immediately and will continue until the positions are filled.

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace. The University of South Florida does not discriminate based on age, disability, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race/color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other unlawful basis.  Dual-career couples with questions about opportunities are encouraged to contact the Department chair. To request disability accommodation in the application and interview process, please notify Melanie Salarbux at (727) 873-4290 and/or Khoa Dinh at (813) 974-9272 at least five working days in advance.

Pursuant to Title IX, USF does not discriminate on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that it operates. Such protection extends to students, employees, admission, and employment. Questions or inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator or to the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. The most current contact information for the USF Title IX Coordinator and resources can be found on the USF Title IX webpage at www.usf.edu/title-ix .


Minimum Desired Qualifications: The position requires a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Candidates must have a demonstrated record of scholarly achievements to contribute to fundamental research thrust areas in the College of Engineering. They must also meet university criteria for appointments as Assistant/Associate/Full Professor.


Preferred Qualifications: The candidate should have demonstrated excellence in scholarly research and publications, the potential for sustaining an externally funded research program, and a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

2. Search Committee

The following search committee has been selected:

3. Advertisements External Venues

The position will be advertised in:

1.    Paid postings:

a.    Advertising within a wide network of engineering/science/higher education organizations and job boards: YM Careers site, https://www.ymcareers.com/. The ad will reach candidates through targeted association emails, social media channels, websites, newsletters, and more (i.e., NSBE, WEPAN, SHPE, SWE, AISES).

b.    Electronic posting through Academic Keys Online Job Board, ASME Online Job Board, AIAA Career Center, HigherEd Jobs, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

2.    USF Careers Postings:

Job Opening ID:

a.    Assistant Professor, Job ID #

b.    Associate Professor, Job ID #

c.    Professor, Job ID #

d.    http://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/human-resources/careers/index.aspx

5. Criteria to be used in the evaluation of candidates and the process

Minimum Desired Qualifications: The position requires a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Candidates must have a demonstrated record of scholarly achievements to contribute to fundamental research thrust areas in the College of Engineering. They must also meet university criteria for appointment as Assistant/Associate/Full Professor.

Preferred Qualifications: The candidate should have demonstrated excellence in scholarly research and publications, the potential for sustaining an externally funded research program, and a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Hiring process: We refer to Table 1 on the tentative selection criteria.

Table 1. Tentative selection criteria

Job code 42091