Job Summary
The Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering
Sciences (AES) at the University of Colorado Boulder invites
applications for four tenure-track faculty positions with a
targeted focus in the following topical areas:
1. Bioastronautics and Human Space
Exploration
Research focus may include areas of interest in: space habitats and
relevant systems engineering, environmental control and life
support systems, in situ resource utilization (ISRU), space biology
and associated payload engineering, mission integration and
operations, human health and performance in aerospace environments,
in-space manufacturing particularly in the areas of biology,
pharmaceuticals, materials and infrastructure, and assembly for
exploration systems.
2. Aeronautics and Aviation
Research focus may include areas of interest in: autonomous
uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), aircraft control and flight
dynamics, flight operations, aircraft systems for atmospheric
sensing, advanced air mobility, airspace operations and air traffic
management systems, aircraft design and optimization, sustainable
aviation and energy systems.
3. Aerospace Sensing, Navigation, and Information
Systems
Research focus may include areas of interest in: positioning,
navigation, and timing (PNT) systems, including but not limited to
satellite navigation, inertial, celestial, and vision-based
navigation; integration of novel remote sensing payloads with
spaceborne, airborne, and ground-based platforms; sensor fusion and
estimation theory for autonomous and uncrewed aerospace systems;
space situational awareness and orbit determination; distributed
and networked sensing architectures (e.g., small satellite
constellations, swarms, or UAS); onboard and ground-based
information and signal processing, including machine learning and
data fusion for navigation and sensing applications; resilient and
secure navigation and communication systems.
4. Other Critical and Emerging Areas in Aerospace Engineering
Sciences
In addition, we encourage applications from candidates pursuing
research in other critical areas of Aerospace Engineering Sciences.
We are particularly interested in candidates whose work bridges or
complements existing areas of departmental strength, helps
establish new areas of strategic strength, or advances promising
and emerging directions in Aerospace Engineering Sciences.
Candidates in these areas will be considered equally alongside
those in the targeted areas described above.
These positions are anticipated to be hired at the Assistant
Professor rank.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
Who We Are
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is one of
Colorado’s flagship public institutions and among the most
research-active public universities in the country. The College of
Engineering and Applied Science is the second largest school or
college on the CU Boulder campus and boasts top-tier rankings for
both its graduate and undergraduate engineering programs. Earning
the 11th spot among public graduate programs and 17th nationwide
for undergraduate engineering. Multiple specialty areas are also
ranked within the top 20. Equally importantly, we are committed to
fostering a diverse, inclusive, and academically excellent
community. Our approximately 250 tenure-track, 120
instructional-track, and 30 research-track faculty serve more than
6,000 undergraduate students, 1,300 master’s students, and 850 PhD
students. Our college has three core foci: (i) Research &
Innovation, (ii) Education, and (iii) Inclusion. We believe that
our college’s success requires faculty who actively work to create
an inclusive culture within the college and are committed to the
campus plan of creating and
sustaining supportive campus environments .
To learn more about the College of Engineering and Applied Science
please visit our
website .
CU Boulder's Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering
Sciences is nationally known for teaching and research that address
both challenges and opportunities facing the aerospace profession.
Students work extensively on hands-on experiments in the Practical
Innovation Through Learning, Observation, and Teaching (PILOT)
Laboratory and design projects alongside expert faculty in the
department's world-class research centers. CU aerospace alumni are
working at top companies and research labs, including the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Space Center, The Boeing Company,
Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, Anduril, Draper Laboratory, and many
others.
We are home to over 55 tenure-track, research, and instructional
faculty, over 600 graduate students, and over 1,200 undergraduates.
Our vibrant community of engineers and scientists tackle challenges
in aerospace technology and science. The Smead Aerospace Sciences
Department has active research programs spanning the breadth of
aerospace engineering sciences through the Research and Engineering
Center for Uncrewed Systems (RECUV), the Colorado Center for
Astrodynamics Research (CCAR), the Aerospace Mechanics Research
Center (AMReC), BioServe Space Technologies (BioServe), the
Integrated Remote and In-Situ Sensing (IRISS) initiative, and the
new CEAS Robotics Program.
Applicants are encouraged to visit the
Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences website to
understand the educational mission of the department, the specific
courses that are taught in the undergraduate and graduate
curricula, and how they would specifically contribute to offering
these courses.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Successful candidates will be expected to engage in
undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring; develop an
externally funded research program in their technical area;
contribute professional leadership and service to their unit, the
college, and their professional community; and cultivate and
contribute to the inclusive excellence of our academic
community.
The typical distribution of work for this role is 40% teaching,
40% scholarly and creative work (research), and 20% leadership and
service.
What You Should Know
- The anticipated start date for this position is Fall 2027;
however, a later start date may be negotiated.
- The University of Colorado Boulder has implemented a reference check
program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty
appointments. The reference check program is intended to allow CU
Boulder to collect and review information about a candidate's
conduct at their current and previous institutions, specifically
conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or
discrimination, before making hiring decisions. All final
candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to
complete an Authorization to Release Information.
What We Can Offer
- The anticipated academic year salary range for this position at
the Assistant Professor rank is $110,000-125,000.
- A relocation stipend may be available within CEAS
guidelines.
- CU offers a competitive 401(a) retirement plan, with employees
contributing 5% of their annual eligible compensation and CU
contributing 10% of their eligible compensation. This plan is
standard for most faculty hires. For more information on CU's
retirement benefits visit our website here .
- In addition to a competitive salary, the University of Colorado
Boulder offers a wide variety of other benefits and perks. Links to
some of these are below. To forecast the value of your total
compensation, check out our total compensation
calculator . More information on some of our benefits and perks
is available here: gender-neutral paid
parental leave ; housing down-payment
assistance programs ; dual-career &
relocation resources ; and teaching , research , and
professional development
.
Benefits
At the
University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive
benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of
Forbes' America's Best
Large Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado
and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and
programs through the
CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be genuine. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Applicants must have earned a research doctorate in aerospace,
aeronautical, or astronautical engineering, or a closely related
field, or have their degree conferred before starting a
tenure-track faculty appointment.
What You Will Need
- Applicants should possess excellent communication and
interpersonal skills along with the ability to teach and work in a
highly collaborative environment. An understanding and appreciation
for aerospace engineering fundamentals, as well as excellent
management, communication, and organizational skills, along with a
willingness to learn quickly, is required.
- Candidates should be able to develop an externally funded
research program that can include collaborations with colleagues
throughout the Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department and
across the College and Engineering and Applied Science.
- Candidates should be capable of teaching a wide range of
undergraduate aerospace engineering courses in both lecture and
laboratory formats. Candidates should also be capable of teaching
core graduate courses as well as developing new graduate
courses.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Prior experience teaching, conducting research, and/or industry
experience in aerospace engineering, aeronautics, astronautics, or
closely related fields. Research topics should focus on one of the
three topical areas listed above (Bioastronautics and Human Space
Exploration; Aerospace Sensing, Navigation, and Information
Systems; Aeronautics and Aviation) or in other critical areas
within Aerospace Engineering Sciences.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials as individual PDF
files:
- Cover Letter: A one-page cover letter describing your
interest in the position and summarizing your personal academic
goals.
- Resume/CV: A current curriculum vitae.
- A Statement of Research Philosophy: A statement of your
experience and plans for research and/or creative work that
contributes to the body of knowledge in your field and provides
broader benefits to education and society (2-3 pages).
- A Statement of Teaching Philosophy: A statement of your
experience and plans for teaching and mentoring a diverse student
body (2-3 pages).
- Leadership, Service and Community Contributions
Statement: In this statement, describe your leadership and
service experience, and demonstrated ability to contribute to a
supportive campus community. Please provide details on your track
record, calibrated to your career stage, that describe the specific
role you played in these efforts. These could include, but are not
limited to service on committees, outreach activities to broaden
engagement in or with engineering, or serving on advisory boards or
task forces contributing to policies or regulations. In addition,
describe your plans to contribute to our campus plan to Create Supportive Environments , and the
College of Engineering and
Applied Science Strategic Vision (1-2 pages).
During the application process, you will be asked to provide the
names and contact information for at least three references to
submit a letter of recommendation to be considered along with your
application materials.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, however
for full consideration please apply by
November 1, 2026
.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For
consideration, applications must be submitted through
CU Boulder Jobs . Background checks will
be conducted for all final applicants.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in
any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying
information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school
attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting
or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu