Position Summary
The College of Engineering at the University of Georgia invites applications for a nine-month (academic year), tenure-track or tenured faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in artificial intelligence enabled robotics and advanced manufacturing, to begin August 1, 2027. We seek an energetic, accomplished researcher who builds programs, teams, and partnerships, and who will help shape a fast-growing manufacturing and robotics cluster at UGA . The position will be housed in the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering ( ECAM ), which is reorganizing into two schools; this position will reside in the new School of Mechanical and Agricultural Engineering and report to its School Chair. The position includes the opportunity to supplement salary during the summer. Candidates considered for the associate or full professor rank must have qualifications and academic credentials commensurate with promotion guidelines at the University of Georgia.
The successful candidate will lead an externally funded research program at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, and will serve as principal investigator or lead investigator on large, multi-institution proposals such as NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers, Department of Energy and Department of Defense manufacturing programs, USDA coordinated agricultural projects, and industry consortia. The College has established strength in AI for manufacturing systems, digital twins, and manufacturing testbeds through the Manufacturing Living Labs, along with programs in additive manufacturing and composites, optical sensing for manufacturing, smart manufacturing, and nanomanufacturing for flexible sensing. We are especially interested in candidates whose work complements these strengths through physical robotic systems and automation.
Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, robotic manipulation and grasping; robot learning and perception; mobile and field robotics for unstructured environments; human-robot collaboration; intelligent and adaptive manufacturing processes; in-process sensing, monitoring, and control; and automation for agricultural, food processing, and other biological systems. Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry, and poultry, produce, and food processing operations across the state are seeking automation that works in variable, unstructured settings. UGA is unusually well positioned to lead in this area, with a College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, a statewide Cooperative Extension network, and an engineering school with agricultural engineering in its faculty. The successful candidate will engage with Georgia AIM, the University’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and partners in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and will mentor early-career faculty and doctoral students.
This position is part of a campus-wide presidential hiring initiative that builds on the economic development opportunities within Georgia and the southeast region. Georgia’s manufacturing base is growing rapidly, with major recent investments in vehicles, batteries, and energy technologies, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America near Savannah, SK Battery America in Commerce, and Qcells solar manufacturing in Dalton and Cartersville. These are joined by established sectors in aerospace, food processing, and advanced materials. The state’s multimodal transportation network, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, an expanding port in Savannah, and a robust interstate highway system, makes Georgia a manufacturing and logistics hub for the region. The University of Georgia’s statewide reach into industry and communities positions it to help these employers adopt AI and robotics and to train the workforce they need.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr. Jaime Camelio, chair of the search committee, at [contact details available in the full listing].
Applicants are asked to submit the following information along with their application:
- A cover letter (not to exceed two pages) addressing the candidate’s experience relative to the responsibilities of the position.
- A detailed curriculum vitae.
- A research statement (not to exceed three pages) that includes the candidate’s vision for building collaborative, externally funded programs at UGA .
- A teaching statement (not to exceed two pages).
- The names, titles, and contact information for five professional references.
Posting Number
F2860P
Working Title
Open Rank - AI-Enabled Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing
Department
ENGR-Civil & Environmental
About the University of Georgia
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department
The UGA College of Engineering currently enrolls over 3,000 engineering majors and has 125 full-time engineering faculty across 15 degree programs. The College also jointly administers the School of Computing in collaboration with the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, an academic unit that comprises over 1,700 computer science majors and 44 full-time faculty. Beginning in January 2027, the College of Engineering will comprise five interdisciplinary schools: the School of Computing, the School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering; the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and the School of Mechanical and Agricultural Engineering.
Faculty hired as part of this initiative will join a rapidly growing College of Engineering that combines interdisciplinary research and scholarship with excellent instruction and service.
Significant investments in infrastructure have resulted in an expansion of laboratory facilities for research and scholarship and new classrooms and instructional labs. College of Engineering faculty have space in two major capital projects on campus to create interdisciplinary research facilities. Our main instructional facility, Driftmier Engineering Center, has also undergone a complete renovation to create flexible classrooms that enable a range of teaching modalities and the incorporation of interdisciplinary instructional labs. The common instructional facilities also foster collaboration by allowing faculty, staff, and students to interact and collaborate in a single facility.
College/Unit/Department website
engr.uga.edu/schools/ecam
Posting Type
External
Retirement Plan
TRS or ORP
Employment Type
Employee
Benefits Eligibility
Benefits Eligible
Underutilization
Advertised Salary
Anticipated Start Date
08/01/2027
Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)
Job Posting Date
10/23/2026
Job Closing Date
Open until filled
Yes
Location of Vacancy
Athens Area
EEO Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( [contact details available in the full listing] ).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy [contact details available in the full listing] .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom .
Position Details
Position Information
Classification Title
Open Rank
FLSA
Faculty Rank
Open Rank (Tenure Track)
Contract Type
Academic (9 mo.)
Tenure Status
Tenure Track or Tenured
Minimum Qualifications
- An earned doctorate in mechanical, industrial, electrical, agricultural, or a closely related engineering field, or in computer science or robotics.
- A record commensurate with appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure at a research university, including sustained external funding as principal investigator and a strong record of peer-reviewed publication.
- Demonstrated expertise at the intersection of artificial intelligence or machine learning and robotics, automation, or advanced manufacturing.
- Candidates must also have a documented research background appropriate for the appointment rank, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications. For information about the requirements for each faculty rank, please see the UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure .
- To be eligible for tenure upon appointment, candidates must be appointed at the rank of associate professor or professor, have been tenured at a prior institution, and bring a demonstrable national reputation to the institution.
- Candidates must be approved for tenure upon appointment before hire. Specific criteria for Associate Professor and Professor level are summarized here .
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
A demonstrated record of leading collaborative research teams and large, multi-investigator proposals; a demonstrated record of building partnerships with industry; a demonstrated record of mentoring junior faculty and doctoral students; a demonstrated record of research or applied work in agricultural, food systems, or biological applications; strong communication and leadership skills to represent the program to industry, government, and the public.
Physical Demands
Is this a Position of Trust?
No
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?
No
Does this position require a P-Card?
No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?
No
Is driving a responsibility of this position?
No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?
No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)
No
Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website .
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .
Duties/Responsibilities
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
- List of References with Contact Information
- Teaching Portfolio/Philosophy
- Research Portfolio/Philosophy
