Assistant Professor - AI and Digital Engineering for Next-Generation Energy and Manufacturing

Department: Mechanical and Aerospace
EngineeringSalary: Commensurate with experience

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.