Electrical and Computer Engineering Assistant Professor - Robotics

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clara University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a focus on Robotics & AI, starting fall 2027. The ideal candidate will pursue impactful research in robot perception, sensor fusion, motion planning, AI in engineering, and safety-critical systems, alongside teaching undergraduates and graduates.

We value collaboration across disciplines, industry connections in Silicon Valley, and a commitment to inclusive excellence.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering or closely related field by start date.
• Demonstrated research track record or potential in robotics including journal publications.
• Commitment to teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels and to curriculum development.
• Commitment to contribute to diverse and inclusive academic culture.

Responsibilities

• Develop a productive, impactful research program and publish in high-quality venues.
• Teach upper- and lower-division undergraduate and graduate courses; contribute to curriculum development.
• Engage in service to the department, school, and university.

Skills

Robotics research

Teaching experience

Curriculum development

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering or related field

Job description

Electrical and Computer Engineering Assistant Professor -Robotics & AI

Position Type:

Electrical and Computer Engineering Assistant Professor - Robotics& AI

Position Type:

Regular

Salary Range:

Hiring range is $116,846 - $129,756

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Purpose:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) atSanta Clara University invites applications for a tenure-trackAssistant Professor starting in the fall of 2027. We seekcandidates in the broad area of robotics with expertise in theareas of robot perception and sensor fusion, motion and taskplanning, resource-aware robotics, the design of safety-criticalrobotic systems, manufacturing and principled uses of AI in theseand related fields. Expertise in every area is not required;however, candidates must demonstrate substantial expertise beyond asingle area of specialization. This is a strategic growth area forECE, and this position would complement the research and expertiseof current ECE faculty as well as faculty in other related programssuch as the M.S. in Robotics and Automation or the M.S. in AI. Thisposition is also intended to strengthen connections with theCunningham Shoquist Center for Applied AI and Human Potential.Candidates should have an articulated plan for engaging with adiverse academic environment and student body through teaching,research, service, and mentorship. Santa Clara University iscommitted to hiring faculty eager to promote the university'svalues of inclusive excellence at the department and universitylevels. Our location in Silicon Valley offers unique and broadopportunities for industry collaboration, and candidates areencouraged to include potential collaboration plans with industryin their research statements, where applicable.

The department is especially interested in candidates withexcellent research promise and demonstrated track record, with theability to collaborate with faculty across multiple disciplines.The ideal candidate will have a commitment to teaching excellenceat the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas related totraditional and emerging areas in electrical and computerengineering. This would include teaching lower division courses andbeing active in curriculum innovation and student engagement.Candidates are expected to contribute to graduate teaching andresearch mentorship in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Electricaland Computer Engineering. Candidates should have academic,industrial, or equivalent research experience and should be able toarticulate plans for future impactful research in their areas ofinterest. In addition to teaching and research contributions, SantaClara University is committed to hiring faculty eager to promotethe university's values at the department and universitylevels.

The new assistant professor will join the SCU ECE faculty at a timeof significant opportunity for research laboratory establishmentand programmatic development. Forward-looking research will besupported in the School of Engineering facilities located in thestate-of-the-art 270,000 square foot Sobrato Campus for Discoveryand Innovation, which houses engineering and science departments,research laboratories, teaching laboratories, and spacesfacilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, and involvement inhumanitarian engineering.

Basic Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering or a closelyrelated field by appointment start date.
• A demonstrated research track record or strong researchpotential in robotics, including high-quality journalpublications.
• A commitment and demonstrated potential to teach at both theundergraduate and graduate levels and to engage in curriculumdevelopment.
• A commitment to contribute to a diverse and inclusive academicculture.

Responsibilities

• Developing a productive, impactful research program,disseminating research through high-quality publications,attracting external funding, and engaging students inresearch.
• Teaching upper division undergraduate and graduate courses inareas of specialization, as well as lower division courses;developing curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Service to the Department, School, University, and theprofession.

Start Date

September 1, 2027

Additional Information About Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University (https://www.scu.edu) is acomprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university, located in the heart ofSilicon Valley and is California's oldest operating institution ofhigher education. The University is also distinguished by asustained high ranking by the American Society for EngineeringEducation (ASEE) with regard to the gender balance of the tenurestream engineering faculty and the master's graduates. The Schoolof Engineering is committed to improving the human conditionthrough engineering education, practice, and scholarship, promotingthe University's mission to 'fashion a more humane, just andsustainable world'.

SCU maintains small class sizes and promotes close faculty/studentinteraction. The ECE Department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.degrees, with 15 full-time tenure stream faculty members, fourfellows of the IEEE, and a strong pool of adjunct faculty whoinstruct about 240 undergraduate majors, and about 80 part-time andfull-time graduate students. The School of Engineering maintainsstrong ties to local industry.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in thefollowing states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, andIllinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to performtheir work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. Allqualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receiveconsideration for employment without regard to race, color,ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age,sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, genderidentity, marital status, parental status, veteran or militarystatus, physical or mental disability, medical conditions,pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive healthdecisionmaking, or any other characteristic protected by federal,state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa ClaraUniversity's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies,please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX websiteat https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campuscrimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with thefederal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy andCampus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara Universityreport, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. Torequest a paper copy please call Campus Safety at [phone].The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number ofoccurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa ClaraUniversity will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants andemployees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request areasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiringprocess should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Teamat [e-mail] or byphone at [phone]. Please note: This contactinformation is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes orinquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not bereviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regardingapplication status, please contact [e-mail].

Work Authorization

A foreign national who is appointed to a tenured or tenure-trackfaculty position is eligible for visa sponsorship assessment bySanta Clara University together with its legal counsel.