Tenure-Track Faculty Position - Aeronautics and Astronautics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics with a start date of July 1, 2027 or later. We seek candidates across aerospace engineering disciplines, focusing on AI-enabled design, novel aircraft, small satellites, and long-duration human space exploration as outlined in the AeroAstro 2026 plan.

Responsibilities include teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels, advising students,

Qualifications

• PhD by start date in a field related to aerospace engineering or a relevant science/engineering field.
• Demonstrated potential for research and education excellence.

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate and undergraduate classes.
• Advise students and supervise theses.
• Conduct original scholarly research and publish results.
• Develop graduate and undergraduate course materials.
• Provide service to the Institute and the profession.

Skills

Teaching

Research

Advising students

Course materials development

Education

Doctoral degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Job description

Tenure-Track Faculty Position - Aeronautics and Astronautics
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge, MA
Full Time

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions with a start date of July 1, 2027 or a mutually agreeable date thereafter. The department is conducting a search for exceptional candidates in any discipline related to aerospace engineering, broadly defined. This year's search will focus specifically on the four innovation areas highlighted in the new 2026 strategic plan: (1) AI-enabled aerospace design and operations, with emphasis on speed, safety, and certifiability including human-AI teaming, (2) novel aircraft design, advanced propulsion, and next generation air transportation control (ATC) systems, (3) small satellite systems and constellations, including edge-computing in space as well as embedded autonomy and (4) long-duration human space exploration and settlement, including bioastronautics, space medicine, reusable launch vehicles, hypersonics and enabling technologies such as In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). Specific details are available in the MIT AeroAstro 2026 strategic plan: https://aeroastro.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AeroAstro_StrategicPlan-2026_web.pdf

We are seeking highly qualified candidates with a commitment to research and education. Faculty duties include teaching classes at the graduate and undergraduate levels, advising students, conducting original scholarly research, developing course materials at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and service to the Institute and the profession.

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in a field related to aerospace engineering or another relevant science or engineering field by the beginning of employment. The search is for candidates to be hired at the assistant professor level; under special circumstances, however, an untenured associate professor or senior faculty appointment is possible, commensurate with experience. The pay range for a 9-month academic appointment at the entry-level Assistant Professor rank (excluding summer salary) is: $140,000 - $150,000. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements. This salary range represents base pay only and does not include any other benefits or compensation.

Our department believes that excellence is achieved through the presence of many different perspectives, and we seek to create a welcoming, equitable and inclusive environment in which all of our faculty, students and scholars can thrive.

Applicants may find reading our strategic plan helpful in preparing their application: (https://aeroastro.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AeroAstro_StrategicPlan-2026_web.pdf). Questions can be directed to the faculty search chair Prof. Paulo Lozano at [e-mail].

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. MIT's full policy on Nondiscrimination can be found at the following: https://policies.mit.edu/policies-procedures/90-relations-and-responsibilities-within-mit-community/92-nondiscrimination. Know your rights; see https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pd