Assistant Professor

The Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering (IMSE) in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering at Kansas State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor in the area of Human Factors and Digital-transformed Engineering, with an anticipated start date of August 2026.

We seek candidates with a strong foundation in Human Factors and Ergonomics who address emerging challenges at the intersection of humans and advanced technologies. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a high-quality, externally funded research program and contribute to the department's teaching mission at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

* Human factors and ergonomics in intelligent and autonomous systems

* Human-robot collaboration and blended autonomy

* Human-centered and trustworthy artificial intelligence

* Digital transformation, digital twins, and cyber physical systems

* Data analytics and AI applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture

We are especially interested in rising scholars whose research advances human-centered design, evaluation, and optimization of technology-rich systems, including human-robot ecosystems, human-centered AI, and digitally transformed engineering environments. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to integrate human capabilities, limitations, safety, and user experience into the design and operation of modern engineered systems.

About Us

The IMSE Department is expanding its research and educational programs in human-technology integration, ergonomics and digital engineering. Faculty benefit from strong institutional support for interdisciplinary collaboration, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and a collegial culture that values innovation in research, teaching and societal impact.

The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is committed to driving innovation through quality education in academic and applied learning experiences to prepare the next generation of technological leaders. As a premier institution, our mission is to educate and empower our students to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field at the time of appointment

* Demonstrated research expertise in one or more of the areas listed above

* Strong potential for securing external research funding

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience with industry collaborations and translational research

* A strong record of published research in areas of interest

* Demonstrated success with securing or contributing to competitive research funding

* Demonstrated expertise in teaching and a commitment to educating tomorrow's industrial engineering researchers and professionals

Additional Role Information:

Sponsorship eligibility:

This position is eligible for sponsorship.

Please submit the following documents:

* Letter of interest

* Curriculum vitae

* Statement of research interests

* Statement of teaching interests

* List of three professional references and their contact information

Applications close on:
March 30, 2026

$90,000 - $110,000

Start-up Package:
Competitive and negotiable