Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering

The University of Alaska Fairbanks invites applications for an Associate Professor to join our academic community and contribute to excellence in teaching, research, and service. This position is an opportunity for an accomplished scholar and educator to build on an established record of academic achievement while helping advance the mission and priorities of the department, college, and university.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development and delivery of high-quality undergraduate and graduate courses, engage students through innovative and effective teaching practices, and mentor students in their academic and professional development. The position also includes opportunities to develop and sustain a productive program of research, scholarship, or creative activity; pursue external funding and collaborative opportunities where appropriate; and disseminate work through scholarly publications, presentations, and other professional outlets.

As an Associate Professor, the successful candidate will be expected to provide meaningful service and leadership within the department, university, and broader professional community. We value faculty who collaborate across disciplines, contribute to a collegial academic environment, and actively participate in initiatives that strengthen student success and the university’s impact.

This position offers the opportunity to work with talented students, colleagues, and partners while contributing to the distinctive academic mission of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We welcome candidates who bring innovative ideas, a collaborative spirit, and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in their field.

You will thrive in this role if you are an accomplished scholar, dedicated educator, and collaborative colleague who is excited to contribute to a vibrant academic community. We are looking for someone who brings intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in their field.

Successful candidates will bring:

A strong record of scholarship or creative activity with a clear trajectory of continued professional growth and contributions to their discipline.
Excellence in teaching and student mentorship, with the ability to engage students across different levels and learning environments and support their academic and professional goals.
A collaborative mindset, with an interest in working across disciplines, departments, and professional communities to develop innovative ideas and meaningful partnerships.
Leadership and service experience, with a willingness to contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional activities.
Initiative and independence, including the ability to identify opportunities, develop projects, pursue funding where appropriate, and move ideas from concept to completion.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
A commitment to continuous learning and improvement, staying current within your discipline while bringing new perspectives and approaches to teaching, scholarship, and service.

Above all, you will thrive if you are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact—through your scholarship, your teaching, your mentorship of students, and your contributions to the broader academic community.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Both of the following:
- BS degree in mechanical engineering
- PhD in aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering with emphasis in aerospace engineering

Experience: Either of the following:
Direct experience in aerospace programs: Direct experience in aerospace programs: systems design for aircraft/unmanned aircraft systems/launch vehicles, launch missions design, aerodynamics, fluids, thermodynamics, structures, controls systems.
Applicable employment in aerospace-related industry/agencies, applied research, and focused educational programs.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks Alaska. This is a full-time, exempt faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary is negotiable based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on September 17, 2026. To ensure consideration, please submit your application by 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on September 16, 2026.  

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kenna Metivier, Signers' Business office at [email protected]

This recruitment is open internally to current UA employees or those otherwise eligible to apply to internal postings.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at [email protected].

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [email protected] / 907-786-1214 or [email protected]. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [email protected].

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing [email protected].