Research Assistant Professor - Material Design and Manufacturing towards Extreme Environment

Research Assistant Professor - Material Design and Manufacturing towards Extreme EnvironmentThe University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) seeks an exceptional candidate for a full-time Research Assistant Professor (RAP) in Advanced Manufacturing, High-Temperature Composites, and Intelligent Materials. Housed in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME), and in collaboration with the Aerospace Center (AC), Keck Center for 3D Innovation, and Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering (IMSE), this position is a cornerstone of our future research initiative. The successful candidate will lead cutting-edge research in additive manufacturing, multifunctional materials, and extreme-environment composites, developing transformative fabrication approaches that enable novel material performance, improved processing pathways, and deployable structural solutions for aerospace, energy, defense, and industrial applications.Key Responsibilities:• Conduct high-impact research in manufacturing, composites, high-temperature materials, and intelligent multifunctional systems.• Develop high-impact, collaborative research proposals for federal agencies (e.g., NSF, DoD, DOE, NASA) to secure competitive external funding and support a self-sustaining research program.• Lead and contribute to interdisciplinary projects in areas such as smart material manufacturing and materials for extreme environments.• Generate original research ideas and lead innovative projects that result in multiple high-impact publications annually.• Mentor doctoral students and engage undergraduate researchers in interdisciplinary research and promote workforce development.• Build collaborations across UTEP's academic and research units, including AME, IMSE, Aerospace Center, Keck Center, and CAMINO-South.Research Focus Areas:This position is intended to advance experimental innovation in materials science and additive manufacturing through state-of-the-art processing, characterization, and fabrication methodologies. The selected candidate will leverage advanced manufacturing platforms, including 3D printing, continuous fiber additive manufacturing, and multi-material printing, to accelerate the design, development, and optimization of next-generation materials and structures across the following research categories:Materials Design, Reactive Systems, and High-Temperature Composites• Development of advanced polymer, ceramic, and composite systems, including high-temperature polymer matrix composites and UHTCs, for extreme thermal and mechanical environments.• Formulation of high-solids ceramic suspensions and fiber-reinforced feedstocks optimized for 3D printing and continuous fiber processing.• Exploration of new material compositions, interpenetrating networks, and hybrid matrices to achieve enhanced strength, toughness, conductivity, and thermal stability.Advanced Manufacturing and 3D Printing Innovations• Advancement of DIW-based additive manufacturing for short-fiber and continuous-fiber reinforced composites, including custom printhead design, in-situ impregnation, and dual-curing strategies.• Development of customized precision tool paths, material deposition strategies, and fiber-alignment control to improve part quality, reduce defects, and tailor anisotropic performance.• Integration of advanced post-processing methods to improve the structural integrity, performance, and reliability of manufactured materials.Multifunctional and Smart Structural Materials• Design of materials and structures with integrated functional capabilities to support advanced performance requirements.• Fabrication of multi-material and fiber-reinforced systems engineered to deliver enhanced and versatile material responses.• Development of graded and architected materials tailored for adjustable performance in structural, sensing, and lightweight applications.Aerospace, Hypersonic, and Off-Earth Manufacturing Materials• Development of lightweight, ultra-high-temperature, and oxidation-resistant materials suitable for hypersonic vehicles, thermal protection systems (TPS), and propulsion environments.• Exploration of carbon-carbon, UHTC composites, and multifunctional architectures engineered for harsh conditions, including high heat flux, radiation, and extreme thermal cycling.• Advancement of material systems and AM techniques adaptable for space manufacturing, including structures designed for vacuum, microgravity, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).Job Requirements:Minimum Qualifications:• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science, or a closely related field.• Demonstrated expertise in design, additive manufacturing and characterization.• Proven strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.• Strong commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research and mentoring.Preferred Qualifications:• Experience in materials characterization.• Experience in Direct Ink Writing, continuous fiber 3D printing, and multi-material AM.• Research experience in UHTCMCs, thermoset composite systems.• Significant proven contribution to federally funded research (DOE, ARL, LANL, NETL).• Prior development of custom 3D printers, customizing printing patterns, and advanced rheological formulations.• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-institutional collaborations and manage experimental workflows.Additional Information:In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at mailto:titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at mailto:eoaa@utep.edu.To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6775623jeid-1ff15eca8d650d44ac7d5884d5f0979d