Assistant Research Professor for Electric Propulsion & Plasma Engineering

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University seeks an Assistant Research Professor to lead an internationally recognized program in in-space propulsion and plasma devices, advising students and contributing to CSU’s mission through research and service.

The role emphasizes securing external funding, publishing in peer‑reviewed journals, and mentoring PhD and Master’s students while advancing vacuum diagnostic capabilities and industry collaborations. Hybrid/on-site Fort Collins position.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field, with a research emphasis on electric propulsion or plasma engineering.
• Evidence of research productivity or strong potential to establish a sustainable scholarly program (e.g., publications, presentations, grant activity).
• Demonstrated ability to teach effectively at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• At least three years of professional research experience beyond the master's degree in electric propulsion testing and plasma diagnostics, including hands-on operation of high-vacuum test facilities.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications in electric propulsion or plasma physics, including first-author journal articles and conference papers.
• Demonstrated success securing external research funding as PI or Co-PI from federal agencies and/or industry sponsors.
• Experience managing sponsored research projects, including budgets, expenditures, deliverables, and sponsor reporting.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in experimental research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and publish research, pursue external funding, and contribute to scholarly advancement in propulsion and plasma-based systems.
• Mentor students at undergraduate and graduate levels and supervise PhD/Master projects.
• Collaborate with industry partners to secure testing/services contracts and conduct device testing.

Skills

Research productivity

Teaching capability

Mentoring students

Grant activity

Project management

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Langmuir probes

LIF/TALIF diagnostics

Thomson scattering

Job description

Assistant Research Professor for Electric Propulsion & Plasma Engineering# Careers at CSU## Assistant Research Professor for Electric Propulsion & Plasma EngineeringApply: Eligible for hybrid/on-site work: Fort Collins, CO: Full time: Posted Today: R2026108005# Job Description## Position Summary:The Assistant Professor is expected to develop an internationally recognized research program with a concentration on in-space propulsion and plasma devices. They will advise students and provide service to the university. The role will demonstrate a commitment to CSU’s mission through research and service. **Full Consideration Date: please apply by Monday, 11/09/2026, 11:59pm (MT).** ## Mechanical Engineering website: https://www.engr.colostate.edu/me/ Essential Job Duties:* Conduct and publish research, pursue external funding, and contribute to scholarly advancement in the field.* Provide service to the department, university, profession, and community in support of CSU’s mission.* Conduct and publish research, pursue external funding, and contribute to scholarly advancement in the propulsion and plasma-based systems. + Secure patents and publish research in peer-reviewed journals. + Secure single PI and multi-PI research grants in plasma propulsion and engineering topics. + Collaborate with companies to secure commercial contracts and conduct testing.* Mentor students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. + Train students and manage daily research activities. + Advise or co-advise and successfully graduate multiple PhD graduate students per year. + Provide service to the department, university, profession, and community in support of CSU’s mission. ## Conditions of Employment:* Pre-employment criminal background check (required for all new hires).* Legally authorized to work in the US by the proposed start date.## Supervision:* Supervise and advise undergraduate and graduate students working on awarded projects.* Guide and develop student-led PhD and Master of Science research projects and publications. ## Minimum Qualifications:* PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field, with a research emphasis on electric propulsion or plasma engineering.* Evidence of research productivity or strong potential to establish a sustainable scholarly program (e.g., publications, presentations, grant activity).* Demonstrated ability to teach effectively at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.* At least three years of professional research experience beyond the master's degree in electric propulsion testing and plasma diagnostics, including hands-on operation of high-vacuum test facilities.* A record of peer-reviewed publications in electric propulsion or plasma physics, including first-author journal articles and conference papers.* Demonstrated success securing external research funding as PI or Co-PI from federal agencies and/or industry sponsors.* Experience managing sponsored research projects, including budgets, expenditures, deliverables, and sponsor reporting.* Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in experimental research. ## Preferred Qualifications:* Experience serving as PI on federally sponsored research (e.g., DoD, DARPA, NASA, AFOSR).* Experience directing a university research laboratory or test facility, including managing vacuum infrastructure, staffing, and operations.* Track record of managing industry testing-services contracts and commercial collaborations.* Inventor on a patent or patent application related to electric propulsion or plasma testing.* Hands-on expertise across multiple plasma diagnostic families — electrostatic probes (Langmuir, RPA, ExB, ESA), laser-based diagnostics (LIF/TALIF, Thomson scattering), and time-resolved measurements.* Experience developing electron sources and hollow cathodes, including alternative-propellant compatibility (e.g., iodine, oxygen).* Experience applying data-driven, causal-inference, or machine-learning methods to plasma-device telemetry.* Participation in community recommended-practice or standards efforts in electric propulsion.* Experience preparing SBIR/STTR and other proposals in partnership with small businesses.* Established collaborations with NASA centers, national laboratories, or peer universities.* University-level teaching or laboratory instruction experience.# Salary Range$134,000 - $138,000# Required Application DocumentsTo apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.Cover Letter, Resume/CV