Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, Decarbonized Energy

Unleash Your Potential With Us As a next-generation public research institution, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you become an integral part of our mission to become a university for the future. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. The Opportunity Decarbonization is one of the most important topics for a sustainable future that the entire humanity is facing. The world continues to move towards a low-carbon economy, with more than 110 countries and 200 of the world’s largest companies pledging to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. One thing is clear: the energy transition must be clean, affordable, accessible, and reliable. A transition of this size requires collaboration across the government, public and private sectors, academia, NGOs, and communities around the world. As a leader in Decarbonized Energy or Zero Carbon Energy (ZCE), the University of Central Florida (UCF) has committed to the challenge of shaping this transition through the ZCE initiative. Any effort in ZCE cannot be complete without attention to decarbonization of aerospace activities, with particular attention to the new area of urban air mobility. Moreover, the ZCE initiative must include cryogenics since hydrogen – a much-discussed carrier of ZCE – may require cryogenic conditions for effective storage. The ZCE initiative will strengthen several ongoing research and education activities at UCF that are focused around zero carbon energy and decarbonization. As part of this broad, university-wide strategic initiative, 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 track), associate professor (tenured), or professor (tenured) with core faculty status in the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER). The positions and the technical fields include, but are not limited to: (1) Rotordynamics and vibration; (2) Reactive flow systems, chemical transport; (3) Hydrogen – flow, leakage, handling; (4) Connected building and communities; (5) Computational flow/thermal/structural for urban air mobility; (6) Cryogenic systems – design, analysis, and testing (with potential for joint appointment with the Department of Physics). The ideal candidates will work at the intersection of the relevant research areas associated with the aforementioned themes. They are expected to have research impact, as reflected in high-quality publications, and the ability to build a funded and sustainable research program and strengthen development of new collaboration and partnership paradigms to launch and scale research and business ventures. Such ventures should enable UCF to address the new challenges of rapid and disruptive innovation towards zero-carbon energy. We are looking for team players with a multi-disciplinary outlook who can help bring together current campus efforts in energy systems research. Prior experiences as a full-time researcher at a national lab or large interdisciplinary research center are preferred. These positions have an anticipated start date of August 8, 2024. Each of these hires will strengthen MAE and CATER. 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 prior experience and record. UCF is one of the nation’s largest universities with a diverse student body of more than 68,000 students and has grown substantially in size, quality, diversity, and reputation. Today, the university offers more than 200-degree programs. In 2019, UCF was officially recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education and a "Green College" by the Princeton Review for our efforts in sustainability and environmental responsibility. UCF has been also recognized among the nation’s most innovative universities according to U.S. News & World Report, while Kiplinger’s and The Princeton Review have ranked UCF as one of the nation’s best values for a college education. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. 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-technology companies and UCF’s School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training. UCF's students represent all 50 states and over 120 countries. UCF is in a centralized location that is 30 minutes to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando and 60 minutes to the beach. UCF has 16 sports teams, including football, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and 600 cultural, academic and social student clubs and organizations all led by faculty mentors. In addition, UCF has several associations for faculty and staff, among them, the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA), the Latino Faculty and Staff Association (LaFaSA), and the PRIDE Faculty and Staff Association. UCF received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. UCF houses 4 distinct energy-related research centers or clusters: Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems (RISES), Renewable Energy and Chemical Transformation (REACT), and Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), and CATER (Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research). Central Florida has been also home to several global energy companies. Orlando hosts major engineering firms including Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, and Lockheed Martin, as well as Navy NAWCTSD. UCF is also close to other major engineering centers including NASA Kennedy Space Center (<1 hour), L3 Harris (<1 hour), Pratt & Whitney (Raytheon, <2 hours), and Northrop Grumman (<1 hour). All these engineering centers share the same talent pools available in this region. In response to this unique locational opportunity, the CATER was founded to focus on student training and research for turbomachines and associated energy systems for application in power generation, aviation, and space propulsion. CATER has 10 core faculty members from MAE at present, with a staff of 3 research faculty, 10 post-doctoral researchers, and 75 doctoral students. For the FY22-23, CATER brought in $10.5M of new external funding and graduated 25 doctoral students in the past two Academic Years 2021-2023. CATER has identified 7 thematic areas to expand and invest in, and several of those areas are aligned with the focus of this search. Minimum Qualifications: An earned doctoral degree or foreign degree equivalent from an accredited institution in an appropriate area related to mechanical or aerospace engineering at the time of appointment. The selected candidates must also have a record of high impact research in related areas, demonstrated by a strong scholarly record. To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor or tenured professor upon hire, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of research, teaching, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at that rank. Preferred Qualifications: Preferred qualifications for ideal candidates include: Demonstrated experience in directing and obtaining externally sponsored research in the respective areas. Prior experience as a full-time researcher at a national lab or large interdisciplinary research center. Previous experience in a national lab and/or industry. A history of working with teams, especially teams that span multiple disciplines. Meaningful post-doctoral experience. Additional Application Materials Required: UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, candidates should upload a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references. The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials. NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later. Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Jennifer Sutton, Executive Assistant II, at Jennifer.Sutton@ucf.edu. Special Instructions to the Applicants: N/A Job Close Date: Open until filled. Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position. Are Benefits Important to You? Working at UCF has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers: Benefit packages including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program. Paid time off, including annual leave (12-month faculty) and sick leave and paid holidays. Retirement savings options. Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando area attractions. Education assistance. Flexible work environment. And more…For more benefits information, go to ‘Prospective Employees’ on the UCF Human Resources website (https://hr.ucf.edu/). Who Are We? Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 240 degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more. The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins. Additional Requirements related to Research Positions Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of higher education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela. The additional screening requirements only apply to employment in research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty positions (including employed visiting positions), graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral scholar positions, and undergraduate positions. Department College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Work Schedule Varies Type of Appointment Regular Expected Salary Negotiable Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets. Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement. The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request. As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. A Foundation for Success Founded in 1963 to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, UCF has been making an impact on the state, the nation — and outer space — ever since. With 13 colleges and more than 230 degree programs, follow your passion at one of our campus locations designed to help you succeed. From the main campus in east Orlando to UCF Downtown and Rosen College of Hospitality Management to the Academic Health Sciences Campus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in the heart of your industry. UCF also has multiple regional locations and fully online programs — including online bachelor’s degrees, online graduate degrees, online certificates and more — to ensure that you can achieve your dreams whenever and wherever you want.