Open Rank Faculty - Hardware for AI, Smart Sensors and Microelectronics

Department: ENGR-Electrical & Computer

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

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. The UGA College of Engineering currently enrolls over 3,000 engineering majors and has 121 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 1800 computer science majors and 45 full-time faculty. The College of Engineering is comprised of four interdisciplinary schools: the School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering; and School of Computing.

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/sece

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2027

Job Posting Date: 10/23/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants are asked to submit the following information along with their application:

• A detailed curriculum vita.
• A cover letter (not to exceed one page) addressing the candidate’s experience relative to the responsibilities of the position.
• A teaching statement not to exceed 2 pages.
• A statement of research expertise not to exceed 2 pages
• The names, titles, and contact information for a minimum of three professional references.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to the chair of the search committee Dr. Kyle Johnsen (kjohnsen@uga.edu) in the College of Engineering. Review of applications will begin on December 1st, 2026; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Selected applicants will be required to submit transcripts and a background investigation demonstrating eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia.

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 (hrweb@uga.edu).

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 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Open Rank

Faculty Rank: Open Rank

Contract Type: Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status: Tenure Track or Tenured

Minimum Qualifications

All candidates must have a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or related discipline.

Position Summary

The College of Engineering at the University of Georgia invites applications for a single position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with expertise in hardware for engineering applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, smart sensors, or modern microelectronic devices and systems. The College seeks qualified applicants to fill an open-rank, 9-month tenured or tenure-track faculty position beginning August 1, 2027. The position will have the opportunity to supplement salary during the summer. This position will be centered in the College of Engineering’s School of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) and will be supervised by the School Chair of ECE.

The new faculty member will be expected to develop a vigorous, high-impact, externally funded research program; work closely with existing faculty; effectively mentor graduate students and postdoctoral scientists; and effectively support our teaching mission at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Additional Requirements

Candidates considered for the associate or full professor ranks must have qualifications and academic credentials commensurate with the promotion and tenure guidelines at the University of Georgia.

To be eligible for tenure upon appointment, candidates must be appointed as an associate or full professor, have been tenured at a prior institution, and bring a demonstrably national reputation to the institution. Candidates must be approved for tenure upon appointment before hire. For information about the requirements for each faculty rank, please see the UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

A demonstrated record of research and scholarly achievement appropriate to rank (evidenced by peer-reviewed publications).

Building on its areas of key research strength, the College seeks to identify highly qualified candidates with expertise in sensors, microelectronics or hardware for future engineering applications of AI such as edge AI accelerators, low-power sensor nodes, or in-sensor computing with a research focus in current areas of high societal impact. The ideal candidate also has interests that support application of their research expertise in areas of strength within the UGA College of Engineering including Integrative Precision Agriculture, Advanced Manufacturing or Electric Mobility.

Furthermore, the ideal candidate has demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with existing faculty at the University of Georgia, including faculty in cross-cutting units such as the new Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture, the Advance Manufacturing and Innovation Factory, the Georgia Network for E-Mobility and the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, among others. Applicants with strong background developing industry collaborations are highly encouraged to apply.

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.