The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks applications for a tenure-track faculty position in space science and systems at any rank effective August 2025. We seek candidates in all areas relevant to space science and systems who will build and sustain a scholarly research and teaching portfolio on topics such as space robotics, small satellites, autonomy, plasma science, planetary science, human space exploration, and space systems design. A new hire in this area will be encouraged to join Space@VT (https://www.space.vt.edu/), a college-level center engaged in research on all aspects of space science and systems.
The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering (https://www.aoe.vt.edu/) includes 45 faculty members overseeing more than $12M in annual research expenditures, with approximately 260 full-time graduate students and 700 undergraduate students. With its highly regarded teaching and research programs, the Kevin T. Crofton Department provides a unique environment for collaboration beyond the traditional boundaries of both ocean and aerospace engineering. The Aerospace and Ocean Engineering team benefits from university-wide institutes such as the Virginia Tech National Security Institute (https://nationalsecurity.vt.edu/), the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research or Space@VT (https://www.space.vt.edu/), and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (https://ictas.vt.edu/) that includes the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, or MAAP, UAS test site (https://maap.ictas.vt.edu/). College-level centers include the Center for Research and Engineering in Aero/hydrodynamic Technology or CREATe (https://create.centers.vt.edu/), the Pratt & Whitney Center of Excellence, the Rolls-Royce University Technology Center, and the Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics. Major facilities include the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel, Ship Model Basin, an indoor motion capture lab, and two outdoor UAS flight facilities (https://www.aoe.vt.edu/research/facilities/keas.html, https://drones.ictas.vt.edu/dronepark.html). AOE faculty manage laboratories covering all current department disciplines and application areas (https://www.aoe.vt.edu/research/facilities.html).
Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. The College of Engineering undergraduate program ranks 16th and graduate program ranks 30th among all U.S. engineering schools (USN&WR). The Mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. Our core values are inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, perseverance and stewardship.
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering or other field closely related to the targeted hiring area. Applicants should offer a strong scholarly record; an ability to work collaboratively; a commitment to research excellence; a commitment to service; and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries to address complex technical and societal challenges. Candidates at the associate and full professor level are expected to have substantial experience and accomplishment in the targeted search area. Successful applicants will be responsible for mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, teaching and developing courses, and developing a vibrant externally sponsored research program.
