ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, AI-Enabled Critical Materials Processing & Circular Manufacturing / UNIVERSITY

University of Missouri-Kansas City; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UMKC invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in AI-Enabled Critical Materials Processing and Circular Manufacturing. The appointment supports the NSF CMCE and UMKC’s growing capabilities in materials, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and national security.

The successful candidate will build a translational program, collaborate with multiple disciplines, apply AI to real processing environments, mentor students, and teach within the SSE program.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in engineering, computer science, data science, applied mathematics, materials science, chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Evidence of excellent research potential.
• Clear plan for an externally funded program at the intersection of intelligent systems and critical-material translation.
• Commitment to teaching and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Develop an externally funded translational research program.
• Collaborate with materials scientists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists, statisticians, and industry partners.
• Apply AI and computational methods to real processing and manufacturing environments.
• Produce scholarly outputs and experimentally or industrially validated technologies.
• Contribute to CMC projects, shared research infrastructure, and regional industry partnerships.
• Mentor students and teach courses in an SSE program.

Skills

Research potential

Externally funded program planning

Teaching and mentoring

Education

Doctorate in engineering, computer science, data science, applied mathematics, materials science, chemistry, or closely related field

Job description

Hiring Department

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

As the only Carnegie R1 university in the Kansas City region, the University ofMissouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is central to advancing researchcollaboration, materials supply chains, and new technologydevelopment. The University ofMissouri System of 4 universities engaging with local andregional industry and manufacturing, transportation networks,government, and other universities, UMKC will lead the focus onsolving one of the nation’s most pressing economic and securitychallenges by investing in building the science, infrastructure,workforce, and manufacturing capacity required for criticalmaterials production. UMKC was selected by the National ScienceFoundation as one of twelve teams to be awarded a 2026 NSF Regional Innovations Engines award.

Translational Critical Materials: From Molecule toManufacturing

UMKC invites applications for a cluster of faculty positionsin Translational Critical Materials, supporting the NSF CriticalMaterials Crossroads Engine (CMCE) and UMKC’s growing capabilitiesin materials, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and nationalsecurity.

The cluster will focus on the technical space between fundamentalmaterials discovery and routine industrial production. Areas ofinterest include critical-material separation and purification,metal and alloy production, engineered materials and components,advanced and intelligent manufacturing, recycling and recovery,process scale-up, qualification, and resilient supply chains.

Successful candidates must demonstrate a research program thatcombines scientific and engineering originality with a crediblepathway toward application. Evidence of translational impact mayinclude:

• prototype or pilot-scale systems,
• process scale-up and validation,
• manufacturing-readiness advancement,
• patents, licenses, startups, or industry adoption,
• materials, process, or component qualification,
• sustained industry or national-laboratory partnerships,
• technoeconomic or lifecycle analysis tied to a real technologypathway.

Candidates whose work is exclusively fundamental, without acredible translational path, or exclusively industrial, without anoriginal scholarly and educational program, will not fit the intentof this cluster.

Appointments will be made in the most appropriate academicdiscipline. Joint or affiliated appointments will be consideredwhere appropriate.

Job Description

Assistant Professor in AI-Enabled Critical MaterialsProcessing

and Circular Manufacturing

UMKC invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professorwhose research uses artificial intelligence, data, sensing,automation, and systems engineering to accelerate the translationand manufacture of critical materials.

This is not intended as a generic AI search. The candidate’smethods must be anchored in materials processing, manufacturing,recycling, or qualification.

Potential areas include:

• digital twins for critical-material processing andmanufacturing,
• AI-assisted separation, refining, synthesis, and processoptimization,
• autonomous experimentation and closed-loop processcontrol,
• in-line sensing, metrology, defect detection, and qualityassurance,
• predictive maintenance and manufacturing reliability,
• robotics and autonomous materials handling,
• data-driven process scale-up,
• AI-enabled recycling and circular manufacturing,
• technoeconomic, lifecycle, and supply-chain models thatdirectly inform technology and manufacturing decisions,
• resilient and secure manufacturing systems.

Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• develop an externally funded translational researchprogram,
• collaborate with materials scientists, chemists, engineers,computer scientists, statisticians, and industry partners,
• apply AI and computational methods to real processing andmanufacturing environments,
• produce both scholarly outputs and experimentally orindustrially validated technologies,
• contribute to CMC projects, shared research infrastructure, andregional industry partnerships,
• mentor students and teach courses in an appropriate SSEprogram.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in engineering, computer science, data science,applied mathematics, materials science, chemistry, or a closelyrelated field,
• evidence of excellent research potential,
• a clear plan for an externally funded program at theintersection of intelligent systems and critical-materialtranslation,
• commitment to teaching and mentoring.

Preferred qualifications

• experience with real manufacturing or pilot-process data,
• collaboration with industry or national laboratories,
• experience integrating models with sensors, control systems,robotics, or experimental platforms,
• evidence of software, data, or algorithms that have beenvalidated outside a purely simulated environment.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary is commensurate with discipline specific market conditions,record of scholarly accomplishment, qualifications andsuccess/potential for external funding in the field ofexpertise.

The position is anticipated to be a 9-month tenure-track, regularterm faculty appointment, with research, teaching, and servicedevoted to CMC responsibilities. Summer research may be possiblewith achievement in external funding.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans,discounted tuition at all four UM System campuses for employees andqualifying dependents, and retirement contributions that add toyour bottom line.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. Foradditional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Application Materials

• Cover letter highlighting qualifications for a tenure-trackAssistant Professor faculty position and scholarship for researchfocus
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement including a clear plan for an externallyfunded program at the intersection of intelligent systems andcritical-material translation scholarship and any prior success inexternally funded research
• Statement of teaching experience, courses taught, andexperience mentoring students
• Five professional references and current associated contactinformation

Higher education transcripts are required for candidates advancingas finalists. Candidates will receive prior notification whenreferences will be contacted . After the committee's initialreview, all uploaded materials may be shared with leadership,appropriate division/department faculty, and faculty for CMCE. ACriminal Background Check is required for hire.

Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation,please contact the Office of Aff ...

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity& Title IX at 816-235-6910.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until a qualified candidate ishired.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship may be available for thisposition.

Other Information

UMKC is a public, urban, R1 research university with morethan 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.UMKC is located in the heart of Kansas City, a vibrant urbancommunity that combines Midwestern charm with an affordable cost ofliving. Kansas City is a world-class computing and engineering hub,home to companies such as Oracle/Cerner, Ericsson, IBM, SS&C,Garmin, and Honeywell (defense contracts) that provide enrichingeducational partnerships for students and faculty. Our universityis committed to being a model urban institution recognized for itspartnerships with surrounding urban communities, effectivelyfostering a healthy, safe, and more economically secure quality oflife. We are proud to be Kansas City’s University. https://www.umkc.edu/

Community Information

A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, KansasCity offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban communitywith midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. Theuniversity is located in a Kansas City metropolitan area that isamong the most entrepreneurial cities in America with a populationof more than 2.4 million. Our UMKC campuses are centered in thehubs of business activity, cultural arts, (some great barbeque andethnic cuisine!) and health science research engagement for boththe Volker and Health Sciences campuses. Our community boastschampionship professional athletic teams, NASCAR racing, a newinternational airport, and a rich history of music and performingarts. Our beautiful state provides rivers, lakes, biking/hikingtrails and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts all within an easydrive. Visit Kansas City: FindEvents, Things to Do & More