Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Hypersonics and Space

The Opportunity

As a national and world leader in space, aerospace, and hypersonics, the University of Central Florida (UCF) has established a center of excellence on this topic and is working to strengthen its research and education mission in this area.

As a part of this broad, university-wide strategic plan, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) invites applicants for multiple 9-month, full-time faculty positions at the rank of assistant professor (tenure-earning), or associate professor (tenured). Candidates with a strong background in hypersonics and space systems are highly encouraged to apply. Technical fields of interest include, but are not limited to:

(1) Additive and Advanced Manufacturing for Hypersonics and Space,

(2) Cryogenic and Supercritical Propellant Systems Design, Analysis and Testing,

(3) Laser Diagnostics and Sensors in Hypersonic and Extreme Environments,

(4) Mathematical Foundations of AI, Uncertainty Quantification, and Reduced Order Modeling for Hypersonics and Space,

or any related areas of research in the broader fields of hypersonics and space.

These positions have an anticipated start date of August 8, 2026. Each of these hires will strengthen UCF and MAE, and may include a combination of joint and/or secondary appointments. Both individual/interdisciplinary infrastructure and startup support will be provided with these new positions. The positions will carry a rank commensurate with the candidate's experience and record.

Each successful candidate will work at the intersection of the relevant research areas associated with the aforementioned themes. They will have research impact, as reflected in high-quality publications and the ability to build a funded and sustainable research program. We are looking for team players who can contribute to current campus efforts in hypersonics and space research.

Central Florida has long been the center of space activities. With NASA Kennedy Space Center less than an hour from Orlando, several well-known companies such as Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, and Lockheed Martin have their major headquarters in Orlando. Others such as Pratt & Whitney (Raytheon), Northrop Grumman, Blue Origin, and Space

X have their headquarters within easily drivable distances. All these companies share the same talent pools available in this region. UCF's Orlando location also puts it at the center of the Florida High Tech Corridor. The corridor has an excellent industrial base that includes software, defense, space, simulation and training, and a world-renowned entertainment industry. Adjacent to UCF is a thriving research park that conducts over $2 billion in funded research, hosting more than 100 high-tech companies and UCF's School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training.

In response to this unique locational opportunity, The Center for Advanced Turbo machinery and Energy Research (CATER) was founded to focus on student training and research on turbo machinery and associated energy systems for application in power generation, aviation, and space propulsion. CATER has 9 core faculty members at present, with a staff of 5 research faculty, 15 postdoctoral researchers, and 97 doctoral students.

It collectively secured $20.3M of new external funding in FY 24-25 and graduates 13 doctoral students per year on average.

The successful candidates would be part of the UCF HYPERSPACE Center ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).), a Center of Excellence (COE) for Hypersonics and Space Propulsion at the University of Central Florida. The motivation of the center is Speed and Space with the goal of achieving ultra-high-speed flight through our atmosphere, and efficient planetary entry and exit, making space exploration and intercontinental travel as routine as intercity travel is today.

The center is a national and world leading center in hypersonic and space propulsion, modeling, aerodynamics, laser diagnostics/sensors, extreme environment materials, and additive/advanced manufacturing with Government and Industry funding. The center is a hub for world-class hypersonic wind tunnels and facilities, advanced hypersonic research, training and education,…