"Tenure-Track Fellow to Faculty Position, LEGACY Program"

Position Overview

The College of Engineering’s Tenure-Track Fellow to Faculty (F2F) Program is a two-year initiative designed to support early-career (i.e., postdoctoral) scholars in transitioning to a tenure-track position. This program provides Fellows with a structured, evidence-based mentoring model, allowing them to focus full-time on the development and expansion of their independent research portfolio for two years. During this period, Fellows have limited teaching and service requirements. Additionally, Fellows will have PI status, access to startup funding and participate in career development programs to facilitate their transition to a tenure-track assistant professor role and long-term success.

This opportunity has the option for a 9/12 or 12/12 position.

The Fellow will hold a disciplinary appointment in MAE at The Ohio State University. The Fellow will start as early as Autumn 2026 and work closely with primary research mentors housed in the Aerospace Research Center (ARC) within MAE.

The successful applicant is expected to establish a vibrant research program, including the ability to attract significant Federal funding and industrial partnerships, that complements the existing capabilities of the ARC at Ohio State and expands MAE departmental strengths in aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics.

Due to U.S. export control regulations governing information, technology, and facilities accessed during the performance of this work, applicants must be: (1) U.S. citizens or nationals; (2) permanent residents; (3) asylees or refugees; or (4) individuals otherwise described as protected individuals pursuant to Title 8 U.S. Code Section 1324b(a)(3)(b).

Performance Objectives

During the two-year program, the Fellow will be expected to:

• Progress toward independent research, co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students, participate on collaborative research teams, and present to technical audiences.
• Form research, teaching, and personal networks to inform their holistic growth as a Fellow.
• Engage in relevant department, college, university, and disciplinary communities that promote professional and personal advancement.
• Engage in one-on-one and group sessions with mentors who will guide and critique the Fellows progress.
• Reflect and respond to formative and summative feedback of scholarly progress to advance their career trajectory.

After two years and the Fellows transition to Assistant Professor:

• Engage in research, teaching, and service activities appropriate to the promotion and tenure of an assistant professor in MAE.
• Develop and maintain a nationally and internationally recognized externally funded research program in their technical field.
• Teach and mentor students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and supervise student and postdoctoral research.
• Participate in service to the university (internal) and the non-university (external) research community.

Qualifications

Required for Fellows:

• Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related engineering or science discipline.
• Evidence of research accomplishments (papers, presentations, products, outreach, etc.) and potential to secure funding in AMT.
• Evidence of interest in excellence in teaching and mentoring related to AMT.
• Ability to learn from and engage with mentors, colleagues, and students with differing perspectives and backgrounds
• Ability to work with others in a collaborative, positive, congenial, and professional team environment
• Willingness to receive and act on formative and summative feedback from mentors in the F2F program

Desired:

• Dissemination of findings at national conferences and within peer-reviewed scholarly journals
• Openness to out of the box thinking and the application of nontraditional thinking to ones discipline
• A commitment to interdisciplinary education and collaborative research, particularly in the context of ongoing research at Ohio State

Required for Assistant Professor (at the end of two years):

• Evidence of research productivity and potential to secure external funding in AMT.
• Ability to teach and supervise undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Evidence of innovative thinking with a willingness to share ideas and continuously learn.

Desired for Assistant Professor (at the end of two years):

• Evidence of leadership and the ability to collaborate effectively in an academic setting.
• Experience or training in mentoring and teaching.
• Evidence of an ability to work constructively, decisively, and collegially with both external and internal colleagues and interdisciplinary teams.
• Evidence of independent and proactive operation with strong project leadership skills.
• Demonstrated efforts in research, teaching, and/or outreach and engagement that reflect Ohio States Shared Values

Additional Information

The final offer for this position will be determined based on the candidates qualifications and experience. Salary and start-up packages are negotiated by the department chair and may vary depending on individual circumstances.

How to Apply

Please include all and only the following required application materials in the Application Documents section, found in the My Experience step (Step 2 of the application process):

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae)/Resume (do not include pictures in your CV/resume): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement. Write 1-2 pages, single spaced narrative that includes:
  • Your research questions and their importance; how your research contributes to your field
  • Research plan and future research directions
  • Identify potential collaborations and funding sources
  • Broader impacts of your research (the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes)
  • Plan for student engagement in your research program.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement. Write 1-2 pages, single spaced narrative that includes:
  • A personal vision for teaching and learning.
  • A description of teaching strategies or approaches for which you received training or have implemented.
  • Justification for those strategies, focusing on evidence-based practice, highlighting how to achieve an effective learning environment for all students regardless of their backgrounds, expectations, and needs.
• Attachment 5: Mentoring Statement. Write 1-2 pages, single spaced narrative that includes:
  • Your mentoring philosophy
  • Describe previous mentoring training and/or experience
  • State mentoring skills you consider fundamental, including those necessary to effectively mentor students from any cultural background.

Please do not include a list of references with your application. We will request this information when we need it.

Application review: Review of applications will begin by November 15, 2025.

For technical questions regarding this position, please contact Prof. Jesse Little at little.154@osu.edu

For questions on the LEGACY program, please contact Prof. Monica Cox at cox.1192@osu.edu