Assistant Professor

Portland State University; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plan

Vacation package

Tuition reduction

Job summary

Portland State University (PSU) is a public urban research university in Portland, Oregon, focused on transforming knowledge into practical impact. The university partners with public agencies and industry to solve real-world problems, spanning engineering, liberal arts, and sciences across the Maseeh College and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

PSU offers a robust benefits package, including healthcare, retirement, vacation, and reduced tuition rates for employees and their families.

Qualifications

• Doctorate required by start date or by Sept 15, 2027.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusive environments.
• Ability to collaborate with public agencies, nonprofits, and industry partners.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication

Education

Doctorate in physics, chemistry, materials science, mechanical, electrical or computer engineering

Job description

Portland State University is a public research university located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. The 50-acre downtown campus places students in a vibrant center of culture, business, and technology, allowing students to participate in internships, co-ops, and community-based projects. The University’s mission is to let knowledge serve and our urban setting and unique relationship with the public agencies and industry provide a living laboratory for research and collaboration. More than 23,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and our state-of-the-art engineering and computer science research, teaching, and lab spaces.

Public impact research is at the heart of Portland State University’s mission as Oregon’s Urban Research University . PSU research prioritizes solving real-world problems that directly affect communities—whether it’s improving transportation systems, advancing sustainable urban development, or addressing pressing social and environmental challenges. By collaborating with public agencies, nonprofits, and industry partners, we ensure that PSU research doesn’t remain theoretical but instead drives meaningful change.

At Portland State University’s Maseeh College curiosity meets impact. Our research tackles global challenges with solutions that are inspired and developed here in the Pacific Northwest. Fueled by more than $13 million in research funding our world-class faculty lead research in everything from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to sustainable energy and smart cities. At Maseeh, we don’t just teach future technology — we help create it.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences brings together the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences in pursuit of a better understanding of the world. Our faculty and scholars examine issues central to the human experience through historical, philosophical and creative lenses. They help improve how individuals and societies live through a more nuanced understanding of how we behave and interact. And they question the physical universe and test laws, principles and practices to create new knowledge.

• A doctorate degree, completed by the start date, in physics, chemistry, materials science, mechanical, electrical or computer engineering or a closely related field. Non-Ph.D. applicants will be required to have completed the Ph.D. by September 15, 2027.

Preferred Qualifications

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
• Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Professional Standards of Conduct

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/professional-standards-conduct-policy .

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position ranges between $76,239 and $100,00 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/psu-total-compensation-calculator

• Cover Letter (2 pages max) that states your interest in the position and which department you would best fit in
• Statement of Research Interests (2 pages max) that lays out your research plans for the next 5 years and how they would contribute to FAST and SINC
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy (2 pages max) that showcased applications of your teaching philosophy, lists which classes you could teach in your home department and the classes you are interested in developing.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No

Background Check Required Yes

If you have questions

Please contact [e-mail].

Posting Close Date

Projected Close Date for Posting

Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified

Application screening begins 11/01/2026

Will you consider an ABD applicant for this position?

Will you consider an ABD applicant for this position? Yes

If yes, when must the degree be earned?

Non-Ph.D. applicants will be required to have completed the Ph.D. by September 15, 2027.

If necessary, would you be willing to sponsor the successful applicant for permanent US residence, now or in the future? No

Reference Requests

Accept References No

Minimum Number of References 0

Maximum Number of References

Cutoff Date

Special Instruction for Reference Provider

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ( * ).

• * Will you require Visa sponsorship to work in the US?
  • Yes
  • No
• * How did you first find out about this position?
  • PSU website
  • Indeed
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • HERCJobs
  • Referral
  • Professional Listserv- please specify in comment box in the next question
  • Professional Journal- please specify in comment box in the next question
  • Other- please specify in comment box in the next question
• If you selected Other, please describe. (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Statement of Research Interests

Optional Documents

• Link to Website or Design Portfolio
• Link to professional websites, news articles, etc

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled