Position Details Position Information Department: School of Mechanical Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Position Title: Assistant Professor Job Title: Assistant Professor Robotics Appointment Type: Academic Faculty Job Location: Corvallis Benefits: Eligible Full-Time benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option
Job Summary The School of Mechanical Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering MIME invites applications for a full-time 1.00 FTE 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position within the field of robotics at Oregon State University OSU. In support of our strategic plan Prosperity Widely Shared, we are launching a strategic interdisciplinary hiring initiative to recruit a cohort of faculty members in the area of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. These positions may be appointed across the Colleges of Liberal Arts, Agricultural Sciences, Forestry, Engineering, and Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
Faculty hired through this initiative will join a collaborative cohort with dedicated support structures designed to foster their success, including mentoring, community-building, and cross-college research opportunities. This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing cutting-edge research and education in robotics and AI with real-world impact across diverse domains.
This position is expected to establish a research program exploring the area of field robotics. Research areas of interest include but are not limited to:
• Agricultural robotics • Autonomous vehicles • Marine robotics • Motion planning and localization • Multi-robot coordination • Robot learning • Robot perception • Aerial vehicles • Dynamical systems and control • Robot and mechanism design • Safe autonomy • Multi-robot and swarm systems • Biologically inspired systems
Areas of application interest include but are not limited to:
• Agriculture • Earth, ocean, or atmospheric sciences • Civil infrastructure • Disaster response • Forestry
Why OSU Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job. Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers, and change-makers. We dont wait for challenges to present themselves - we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty, and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard.
We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together we apply knowledge, tools, and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS • Top 1.4 university in the world • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined • 1 of 3 land, sea, space, and sun grant universities in the U.S. • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration, and belonging for everyone • 100 undergraduate degree programs, 80 graduate degrees, plus hundreds of minor options and certificates • 35,000 students, including more than 2.3,000 international students and 10,000 students of color • 217,000 alumni worldwide • For more interesting facts about OSU, visit https://oregonstate.edu/about
Locations Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center, and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon States beautiful, historic, and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of Americas best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains, and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking, and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events, and performances.
Total Rewards Package Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families, including:
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance • Free confidential mental health and emotional support services and counseling resources • Retirement savings paid by the university • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation, and sick leave • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities • Robust Work Life programs, including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups, and an Employee Assistance Program • Optional lifestyle benefits, such as pet accident and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSUs safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.
Key Responsibilities 50 Teaching 40 Research and scholarly activities 10 Service
What You Will Need • PhD in robotics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical or computer engineering, computer science, material science, or other relevant discipline by the start date of employment • Demonstrated record of research in robotics • Demonstrated potential for or track record of securing externally competitive research funding • Demonstrated skills or potential to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses and a commitment to excellence in teaching and student success • Ability to communicate robotics concepts to a technical and general audience • Interest in or demonstrated teaching skills and experience in inclusive teaching practices
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position, therefore the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have • Research relevance to application areas, including agriculture, earth, oceanic, or atmospheric sciences, civil infrastructure, disaster response, or forestry • Demonstrated experience working on field robotic systems in challenging environments, e.g., air, ground, marine • Research topic with strong potential for sustained growth and external funding • Current or future research topics that are aligned with the universitys strategic plan, Prosperity Widely Shared • Interest or track record in commercialization of research • Research program has positive environmental and/or social benefit
Working Conditions • Work Schedule: Most work will take place in an office environment and robotics laboratories. Field work may be required depending upon the candidates research program and sponsored projects. • Travel to national and international conferences is anticipated.
Pay Method • Salary • Pay Period: 1st through the last day of the month • Pay Date: Last working day of the month • Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $101,628 - $118,450
Link to Position Description https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/169759
Posting Detail Information • Posting Number: P09738UF • Number of Vacancies: 1 • Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: 09/16/2026 • Anticipated Appointment End Date: • Posting Date: 02/12/2026 • Full Consideration Date: 03/13/2026 • Closing Date: 06/15/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by March 13, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.
When applying, you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience. For additional information, please contact Geoffrey Hollinger at hollinge@oregonstate.edu.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability protected veteran and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience, including involvement with the justice system.
This job has critical or security-sensitive responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check, such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc. Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSUs Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.
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