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. Emphasis will be placed on expertise in aerothermodynamics modeling and simulation, gas-surface thermochemical interactions, including quantum-mechanical and other fundamental treatments, high-temperature physics and ablation processes, and plasma physics, as related to hypersonic flight and atmospheric entry. Candidates in other areas relevant to Aerospace Engineering that will complement the department’s current strengths are also welcome to apply.
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 800 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. The department and The Grainger College of Engineering are at the forefront of hypersonics research, withstate-of-the-art facilities, such as a 350-kW inductively plasma wind tunnel, two-stage gas gun, associated diagnostics resources, and well-equipped high-speed and reacting flow laboratories. The National Center for Supercomputing Applications houses the most performant GPU-based systems and the world’s most powerful supercomputers. Aerospace Engineering faculty are engaged with the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies (CHESS), which supports both experiments and numerical simulation of hypersonic flight. Additional resources are available to support space research, including the Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois and the Composites and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory. Additional information about the department and its facilities can be found at aerospace.illinois.edu.
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 $135,000 at the Assistant Professor level, $135,000 to $170,000 at the Associate Professor level, and $170,000 to $210,000 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.
Full consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2025. 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 2026; however, this is negotiable.
To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at 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 (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 (provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance).
Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career, along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Explore the full list of Employee Benefits and discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
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.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
