Open Rank Faculty in Aerospace Optimization

The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering (AOE) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Aerospace Optimization at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor, depending on qualifications effective August 2026. We seek exceptional candidates with expertise in the theory and application of optimization to aerospace systems. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to: Optimization under uncertainty and robust design methods, Real-time and embedded optimization for guidance, navigation, and control, Large-scale or distributed optimization for complex aerospace systems, Machine learning, reduced-order modeling, surrogate modeling, and data-driven approaches with applications to aerospace optimization, Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO). Candidates will be expected to develop and sustain a strong, externally funded research program; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; and advise students at all levels. The successful candidate will also contribute to the department’s ongoing efforts to modernize curricula and expand interdisciplinary research in advanced aerospace system design and operation.

Applicants must hold an earned doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment. Applicants should offer a strong scholarly record; an ability to work collaboratively; a commitment to research excellence; a commitment to service; and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries to address complex technical and societal challenges. Successful applicants will be responsible for mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, teaching and developing courses, and developing a vibrant externally sponsored research program.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

40

December 1, 2025

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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