Department of Aerospace Engineering - Open Rank Faculty Search
The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Aerospace Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for one open-rank (assistant, associate, or full professor level) tenure-track, full-time faculty position. Applications broadly in computational mechanics and materials will be considered. Areas of interest include, but not limited to, advanced manufacturing and process modeling, materials and structures in extreme environments, multiphysics and multiscale modeling, digital twins, fluid-thermal-structure interaction, data-driven and AI-accelerated modeling, multifunctional materials and intelligent structures.

Successful candidates must be able to teach in these and other areas while also contributing to the excellence of our programs through research and service efforts. Candidates are expected to establish and maintain an active and independent research program, teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession.

The Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has top-ranked graduate and undergraduate programs, 34 faculty (tenure-track, tenured, and specialized), over 900 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. The department and The Grainger College of Engineering are at the forefront of aerospace mechanics, materials, and manufacturing research. The AE Department recently completed the construction of several state-of-the-art facilities to support the Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois, and the Composites and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory with large-scale, structural composites additive printing capabilities. Other recent additions, include a hypervelocity impact testing facility, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment testing facility, and a new student collaborative workspace. Additional information about the department and its facilities can be found at https://aerospace.illinois.edu/.

Our faculty and students are affiliated with and have access to world-class computational and experimental facilities located in on-campus multidisciplinary research (fundamental and translational) centers and laboratories, including: The National Center for Supercomputing Applications housing the most performant GPU-based systems and expertise in high-performance computing, the Advanced Materials Testing and Evaluation Laboratory, the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, the Center for In-Space Manufacturing of Resilient Structures, the Illinois Manufacturing Institute, the Aerodynamics Research Laboratory, the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies, the Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Lab, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.

A doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field is required at the start date. Candidates may be eligible for named appointments and competitive startup resources are available. The budgeted salary range for the position is $110,000 to $130,000 at the Assistant Professor level, $130,000 to $160,000 at the Associate Professor level, and $160,000 to $200,000 at the Full Professor level, for a 9-month service basis, paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026. Applications will be evaluated as received and those received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. A start date is expected in the fall of 2027; however, this is negotiable.

To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement, 4) teaching statement, 5) service statement, and 6) names and contact information for three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research, teaching, and service statements offer a chance to share your motivation, approach, experience, leadership, impact, and vision in each area, including how you would support the university’s land-grant mission (https://boldly.illinois.edu/), through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Ms. Kristen Reifsteck (ktreifst@illinois.edu).

We have an active and successful Dual Career Academic Couples Program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/).

Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.

Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.