"Faculty Fellow in Robotics / Embodied AI"

NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence (CREO) invite applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Faculty Fellow, working in the broad spectrum of robotics or embodied AI, to join our center beginning (ideally) Summer 2026 (or earlier/negotiable). The appointment is renewable annually, based on performance and center needs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many fields, but remains largely confined to the virtual world inside computers. The next technological revolution will occur as AI steps into the physical world. When robots, vehicles, and cities interact intelligently with the environment, new capabilities and societal impacts follow. NYU CREO strives to pioneer this next era of Intelligent Machines. Our goal is to lead the embodied intelligence revolution at the convergence of robotics, AI, and systems engineering.

Areas of Interest

We welcome excellent applicants across the broad spectrum of robotics or embodied AI, spanning theory, computation, hardware, and application domains (including but not limited to manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, mobility, healthcare, or urban environments). Interdisciplinary research that leverages NYU’s strengths across engineering, computer science, and the broader university is strongly encouraged.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Strong demonstrated ability (or evidence) in proposal/grant writing, including a history of contributing to successful proposals.
• Ability to juggle coordination, facilitation, and independent research responsibilities.
• A promising track record in robotics, embodied intelligence, or related fields (publications, research impact).
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Enthusiasm for mentoring across levels (undergraduate, graduate) and for working in a center / cross-disciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in research (publications, scholarship, plans for external funding) and for high-quality teaching and mentoring.

Job Responsibilities

The Fellow’s core responsibilities include:

• Center-level grant coordination & facilitation
  Work across CREO core faculty and affiliated researchers to strategize, draft, integrate, and manage major center or multi-PI proposals (e.g. NSF, NIH, NASA, federal and philanthropic funding). Serve as a co-PI on proposals, helping to convert internal ideas into competitive external submissions.
• Independent research & scholarly activity
  Maintain an active and independent robotics / embodied systems research program, publish, secure funding, and mentor students.
• Teaching (1 course per year)
  Teach one robotics course annually (graduate or undergraduate, as appropriate). COURSE topics may broadly cover robotics, robot learning, embodied AI, control, perception, or related areas.
• Student mentoring & supervision
  Advise or co-advise undergraduate and graduate students (theses, research projects, and independent study).
• Center representation & outreach
  Participate in CREO seminars, workshops, industry outreach, coalition building, and representation of CREO in internal/external forums.

Appointment Terms & Support

• The appointment is for one year, renewable on satisfactory performance.
• The Fellow will receive a competitive salary (above typical postdoctoral levels) and full NYU benefits.
• No startup package is provided, but support (e.g., internal pilot funds, access to CREO resources, shared lab facilities) will be available.
• The Fellow’s “home unit” is NYU CREO and the MAE department, with direct interaction and mentorship from all core CREO faculty.

Review of applications will begin January 01, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is Summer 2026 (flexible). If appropriate: Should you have any questions please contact: Chen Feng at: cfeng@nyu.edu, Ludovic Righetti at: ludovic.righetti@nyu.edu

Please submit the following materials electronically at:

1. Cover letter describing your background, interest in this role, and vision for contributing to CREO
2. Curriculum Vitae (with explicit detail of proposal/grant writing experience)
3. Research statement (including plans for independent research and how you would balance that with coordination tasks)
4. Teaching statement (approach, sample courses you might teach)
5. Names and contact information for at least 3 references
6. (Optional) Sample proposal texts or sections you have authored
7. Up to three representative publications (PDFs).
8. Any additional documents (optional).

About Us

New York University (NYU) is one of the top private universities in the United States with an unparalleled network of global campuses and academic centers. NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, located in the heart of Brooklyn, dates back to 1854, the founding year of both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. Backed by a historic commitment investment of $1 billion and under the new leadership of Juan de Pablo as the University’s Executive Vice President for Global Science and Technology and Tandon’s Executive Dean, the Engineering School is entering an exciting new phase to recruit world-class faculty conducting groundbreaking basic and applied research in key areas. We are home to a community of renowned faculty and undergraduate and graduate students united in a mission to understand and create technology that powers cities, enables worldwide communication, fights climate change, and builds healthier, safer, and more equitable real and digital worlds. The school’s culture centers on encouraging rigorous, interdisciplinary collaboration and research; fostering inclusivity, entrepreneurial thinking, and diverse perspectives; and creating innovative and accessible pathways for lifelong learning in STEM.

We aspire to create a climate where inclusion is not only appreciated but also considered an asset for creativity and innovation, and we seek faculty who have a real passion for, and who possess an interest in, working in broad academic community with different viewpoints and backgrounds. NYU belongs to the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC), which assists with dual-career searches, and our faculty are supported by a range of work-life balance programs provided by the NYU Office of Work Life.

The newly established NYU Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence (CREO) unites leading researchers from across NYU to advance cutting-edge research and education in robotics and embodied AI. CREO fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration across perception, learning, planning, hardware, systems, and real-world applications, with a strong emphasis on urban environments and infrastructure. The center features approximately 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art experimental robotics facilities.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary (for 9-month) range for this position is $70,000-$110,000 for the Industry Assistant Professor rank. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.