Tenure-Track Faculty in Aerospace Engineering Sciences

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.