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Presidential Frontier Faculty Position in Quantum Materials and Devices

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

University of Houston

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Houston (UH) invites applications for a Presidential Frontier Faculty (PFF) position at the rank of tenure-track Assistant Professor or tenured Associate Professor, depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The appointment will begin in Fall 2026.

The PFF program at UH is a university-wide, integrated, interdisciplinary faculty hiring initiative designed to address federal priorities and societal challenges in health, energy, sustainability, and security. We seek an outstanding individual with demonstrated expertise or strong research potential in the broad area of quantum materials and devices. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: (i) Theoretical and/or experimental development and characterization of quantum materials and devices, (ii) Materials, systems, and devices for quantum photonics, sensing, computing, and communication, and (iii) Emerging quantum technologies and applications.

The successful candidate is expected to build collaborations and leverage synergies across departments and colleges at UH. They must establish a strong, nationally recognized, and externally funded research program; successfully mentor students; and adopt effective, evidence-based pedagogical practices in the development and delivery of undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Candidates should have a strong record of scholarship, a creative vision for future research, a commitment to engineering education, and excellent written and interpersonal communication skills. A Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in an appropriately related engineering or science discipline is required at the time of employment.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UH comprises 36 full-time faculty, approximately 90 doctoral students, 200 master’s students, and over 1,000 undergraduates. Research in the department spans several high-impact areas, including energy and sustainability, advanced materials and devices, intelligent and autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing. The department is a key contributor to the renowned Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), engaging in world-class research and technology development in the characterization and scalable fabrication of high-temperature superconductor thin films and tapes for real-world applications. More information about the department is available at www.me.uh.edu.

UH is Texas’s premier public metropolitan research and teaching institution, with more than 45,000 students on a park-like campus near downtown Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city. The university offers a comprehensive range of programs across 15 colleges, fostering innovation in energy, health, hospitality, business, education, law, STEM, and the humanities. UH is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is the nation’s second most ethnically diverse major research university. The university is committed to an ambitious strategic plan to become a Top 50 public university, with significant initiatives in its research priority areas of Energy, Health, Security, and Sustainability. Located in the world’s energy capital, Houston offers ample opportunities for collaboration with high-tech industries.

Applicants should submit:

1. A cover letter highlighting the candidate’s strengths and interest in the position.


2. A curriculum vitae.


3. A statement of research vision and plan.


4. A statement of teaching philosophy and plan.


5. A list of at least four references with names and contact information.

To apply, please visit https://careers.uh.edu/jobs/search/uh-postings?page=1&query=494700 (position number 494700). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Jae-Hyun Ryou at jryou@central.uh.edu. Official transcripts will be required upon selection of the final candidates. All positions at the University of Houston are security-sensitive and will require a criminal background check.