"Assistant Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering - Unmanned Aircraft Systems"

Position Title:

Assistant Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering - Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Department: Gallogly College of Engineering

Position Type: Faculty

Qualifications:

Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering or in a related field.

Application Instructions:

Candidates are invited to submit (1) a cover letter; (2) a research plan describing the proposed research themes, funding avenues to be explored, and plans for mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students; (3) a curriculum vitae; (4) copies of three research publications; and (5) contact information for at least three references. Candidates may address their approach to teaching, their teaching experiences and their efforts to support success of undergraduate students in the cover letter.

Review of candidates will begin on February 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The start date for the position is expected to be Fall 2026.

Candidates are requested to submit their applications at https://apply.interfolio.com/180342. Please email amefacultysearch@ou.edu with any questions about the position.

Description:

The School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) in the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma seeks candidates for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). This position is part of a larger initiative defined in the Gallogly College of Engineering strategic plan for growing student enrollment and strengthening the research cluster on aerospace. The State of Oklahoma is investing in engineering in support of growing engineering graduates for the state workforce.

Candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas are of particular interest for the position:

1. Design of small to medium UAS platforms for applications including environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspection.
2. Design and use of UAS for measurements using radar as well as other sensing modalities (e.g., lidar, optical/IR, atmospheric or environmental sensors).
3. Design of adaptive UAS with dynamic response to changes in environment and related theoretical areas such as autonomy, guidance and navigation, perception, and learning-enabled control.
4. AI and machine-learning enabled methods that enhance UAS applications, adaptive control, and interpretation of radar, lidar, optical/IR, and environmental sensing data.

Successful candidates are expected to develop a nationally recognized research program in one or more of the areas listed above, collaborate with other researchers and develop partnerships with the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC), the National Weather Center, and industry/federal partners related to aerospace, and have a demonstrated commitment to excellent and innovative instruction, and effective mentorship and guidance of students.

Department and Region:

AME currently has 31 full-time faculty members and over 1000 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. Currently, both AME and the Gallogly College of Engineering are experiencing strong growth in research, corporate and private donations, and student enrollment. More information about AME is available at http://www.ou.edu/coe/ame.

Norman is a culturally rich and vibrant town located in the Oklahoma City metro area. With outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living, Norman is a perennial contender on the "Best Places to Live" rankings.