Assistant Professor of Autonomous Systems / Robotics Position in Mechanical Engineering

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: Assistant Professor Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See table 3 for the salary range. A reasonable estimate for this position is $99,100 - $130,000. “Offscale salaries”, i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide minimum salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. Anticipated start: July 1, 2024 or later Application Window

Open date: October 18, 2023

Next review date: Monday, Dec 11, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications from exceptional individuals for a full-time faculty position at the tenure- track Assistant Professor level in autonomous systems and robotics, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2024 or later.
Responsibilities include teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, recruitment and supervision of graduate students, and the development of an actively funded research program of the highest quality and impact. Successful candidates will have a strong record of collaborative, interdisciplinary research, contribute to advancing and supporting Mechanical Engineering curricula and student mentoring, and leverage synergies within the Department, the College of Engineering, and the campus.

The department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community through research, teaching, and service. UCSB has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) by the US Department of Education.

Moreover, in 2023-24, UC Santa Barbara departments are partnering with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to launch a special faculty recruitment initiative named after Benjamin Banneker, the 18th-century African American mathematician, astronomer, antiracist, engineer, ecologist, and peace advocate. Funded by an Advancing Faculty Diversity grant from the UC Office of the President, the Banneker Initiative proposes to hire scientists, engineers and interdisciplinary scholars as UCSB faculty, whose disciplinary and interdisciplinary work shares Banneker's concerns as an African American scientist, especially his desire to advance scientific and engineering knowledge for the public good.

With the goal of creating a diverse community around such concerns, applicants may be eligible to be fellows in the Benjamin Banneker Initiative. The community of Banneker Fellows will receive funding for cohort building and professional development activities, including enrollment in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity Faculty Success Program, proposal writing training, and seed grants.

Department: https://me.ucsb.edu/about/employment

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field by the time of application.

Preferred qualifications

-Demonstrated record of excellence in research, including high quality publications in top journals
-Strong record of collaborative and interdisciplinary research
-Teaching experience; a proven ability as an outstanding teacher is desired.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter - Cover Letter (limited to two pages) including (1) most significant scientific accomplishment as a graduate student, (2) most significant scientific accomplishment in your postgraduate career (if applicable), (3) overall goals/vision for a research program at our institution, and (4) experience and qualifications that make you particularly well suited to achieve those goals.
Statement of Research
Statement of Teaching
Statement of Contributions to Diversity - The Statement of Contributions to Diversity will be reviewed for evidence of teaching, research, professional and/or public service contributions that promote diversity and equal opportunity, such as effective strategies used for the educational advancement of students in various under-represented groups; demonstrated contributions to the advancement of equitable access and diversity in education; and contributions furthering diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through participation in such activities as recruitment, retention, and mentoring of scholars and students.

Reference requirements

3-5 letters of reference required

Applicants will be asked to name references, and the applicant must request letters through the UC Recruit system to complete their application.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02597

Help contact: Mrojas@engineering.ucsb.edu
Campus Information

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
Job location
Santa Barbara, CA

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02597

University of California, Santa Barbara, Department of Mechanical Engineering