The University of Texas at San Antonio invites applications for tenured Associate or Full Professors to contribute to a Space Science, Technology, and Human Performance in Space cluster hiring initiative to begin in the fall semester of academic year 2025-26.

Five positions are open in areas of emphasis related to space research, including:

• Satellites and space-based instrumentation
• Space access, space propulsion, & space mobility
• Materials for extreme space environments
• Space-based manufacturing
• Human performance focusing on exercise physiology, cardiovascular health, and countermeasures to space travel

The Clustered & Connected Hiring Program is designed to recruit and hire some of the best and brightest minds of varying backgrounds and experiences in select fields to The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to join in efforts to address some of today’s most significant challenges.

The University of Texas System approved the creation of the Regents’ Research Excellence Program across its four Emerging Research Universities (ERUs), including UTSA. UT System has allocated $55 million across all four ERUs to fund the recruitment of research-active faculty to dramatically grow its national research prominence and federal funding opportunities. UTSA’s allocation from UT System that translates to approximately 40 new faculty positions for new, mid- to senior-level faculty over the next several years who will add expertise in research areas that will enhance competitiveness, help solve societal needs, and advance the university’s capacity to meet UT System and state goals as outlined by the Texas Legislature.

Position Summary

The university is looking for outstanding individuals at the Associate and Full Professor level with demonstrated research expertise who can help strengthen its teaching and research programs.  Applicants are sought in the broad areas of space science and technology. Subfields of interest include but are not limited to: satellites & space-based instrumentation, space access, space propulsion, space mobility, space materials, space-based manufacturing, human performance in space, and space medicine. The successful candidates are expected to build successful, externally funded research programs in collaboration with individuals and groups through UTSA and the aerospace ecosystem in San Antonio and across Texas. The Department of Mechanical Engineering recently began offering degrees and certificates in Aerospace Engineering with current expertise in high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion, computational fluid dynamics, and materials. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), a national recognized leader in space science and technology as the lead organization for a variety of NASA missions including Juno, New Horizons, Lucy, and PUNCH, is headquartered in San Antonio. UTSA has partnerships and joint PhD programs in space science and mechanical engineering with SwRI. The state of Texas also recently created the Texas Space Commission which includes $350M for space-related research for in-state universities and businesses. Applicants that can successfully leverage these resources while demonstrating a creative vision for original research are particularly encouraged to apply. The incumbent must be able to (1) develop an externally funded and internationally recognized research program; (2) supervise graduate students; (3) teach undergraduate and graduate classes; (4) work with others across disciplinary boundaries; and (5) serve their department, college, and the university.

About The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in digital economy, human health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation. With more than 35,000 students, it is the largest university in the San Antonio region.

UTSA advances knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service, and with an intentional focus on career readiness, the university produces more graduates for the workforce than any other institution in the region. It is a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property — for Texas, the nation, and the world.

In August 2024, the UT System Board of Regents authorized the UT System to begin integrating UTSA and the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio into one unified institution, establishing a world-class university that integrates academic, research, and clinical excellence to build a profoundly impactful university of the future. Driven by a vision for growth and impact, this merger will expand capacity to offer robust undergraduate and graduate programs, attract top-tier faculty and staff, develop innovative initiatives, and elevate transdisciplinary research to address the evolving needs of the region.

UTSA has been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more about UTSA online, on UTSA Today, or on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

There are three affiliated colleges and four connected departments/schools. Visit the following websites for more information:

• Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (KCEID) https://klesse.utsa.edu/
• College of Sciences (COS) https://sciences.utsa.edu/
• College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) https://hcap.utsa.edu/
• Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering: https://klesse.utsa.edu/mechanical/
• Department of Physics and Astronomy: https://sciences.utsa.edu/physics-astronomy
• School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management (CECM): https://klesse.utsa.edu/civil-environmental-construction-management/
• Department of Kinesiology: https://hcap.utsa.edu/kinesiology/

Qualifications

• Candidates should have a conferred Ph.D. in engineering, science, kinesiology, exercise physiology, or an appropriately relevant field by the time of application.
• Expertise in all areas of satellites & space-based instrumentation, space access, space propulsion, space mobility, space materials, space-based manufacturing, human performance in space, and space medicine will be considered.
• The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate a record of leadership in high quality, collaborative research, and an excellent scholarship record of external funding.
• The successful candidate must have the ability to work with and be sensitive to the educational needs of first generation and low-income students and be committed to assisting the University’s commitment to thrive as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
• Record of developing scholarly products that are critical to advancing research with an emphasis on space science & technology.
• Evidence of service to the university, field, or profession through leadership in the aerospace field.

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply through the following link: https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psc/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/UTZ_CG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&SiteId=21&FOCUS=Applicant&JobOpeningId=12580&PostingSeq=1&PortalActualURL=https%3a%2f%2fzahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu%2fpsc%2fZAHRPRDADA%2fEMPLOYEE%2fUTZ_CG%2fc%2fHRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL%3fPage%3dHRS_APP_JBPST_FL%26Action%3dU%26SiteId%3d21%26FOCUS%3dApplicant%26JobOpeningId%3d12580%26PostingSeq%3d1&PortalRegistryName=EMPLOYEE&PortalServletURI=https%3a%2f%2fzahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu%2fpsp%2fZAHRPRDADA%2f&PortalURI=https%3a%2f%2fzahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu%2fpsc%2fZAHRPRDADA%2f&PortalHostNode=HRMS&NoCrumbs=yes&PortalKeyStruct=yes

To apply applicants must upload the following in a single PDF document:

• A current curriculum vitae
• Complete contact information for at least three professional references
• A research statement (4-page limit)
• A teaching statement (2-page limit)
• A statement highlighting potential areas for transdisciplinary collaboration (2-page limit)

Additional Information:

• This is a security-sensitive position.  Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon time of hire.
• Tenure is contingent upon Board of Regents approval, and applicants must show a demonstrated commitment.

Cluster Hiring Interview Process

UTSA aims to bring transdisciplinary and collaborative groups of faculty researchers to the university through its cluster hiring program. As such, the on-campus interview for these positions will be conducted as a collaborative group interview, during which all on-campus candidates for a cluster will meet with UTSA faculty and staff simultaneously. This collaborative process allows candidates to discuss potential research collaborations with fellow candidates and current UTSA faculty. Additionally, each candidate will be given the chance to present their job talk and engage the faculty, staff, and students from their discipline’s home department.