Assistant Professor in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Content + Source + Freshness • 14 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
High value level due to esteemed university affiliation, interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and strong research funding potential.
- Esteemed university with significant research funding
- Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
- Role focused on cutting-edge research in robotics
- Commits to diversity and inclusion in academia
Pros
- Access to $16 million in annual research expenditures
- Established network with healthcare institutions for collaborative opportunities
- High potential for interdisciplinary research in cutting-edge fields
Cons
- Competition may be fierce for desirable candidates
- Pressure to secure external funding for research programs
- Potentially high teaching loads along with research responsibilities
Who it's for
Entry to Mid-Level • On-site (Pittsburgh campus)
Good fit
- New PhD graduates passionate about robotics
- Academics eager to drive innovation in AI
- Candidates interested in interdisciplinary research partnerships
Not recommended for
- Individuals lacking research publication experience
- Those preferring remote or less rigorous academic roles
- Candidates only interested in theoretical work without practical applications
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) invites applications for an Assistant Professor tenure-track position in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Successful applicants should be able to build an externally funded research program and contribute to the MEMS Department's teaching mission. Applicants should have a PhD or ScD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Applicants with outstanding track records at the associate professor and full professor levels are also encouraged to apply, but the focus will be at the assistant professor level.
Expertise is particularly sought in the field of robotics, such as autonomous systems, mobile robotics, soft robotics, human-robot interaction, micro-robotics, and multi-robot systems. Applicants with experience in robot and artificial intelligence in one or more of the following areas: dynamic systems and control, motion, and manipulation, "digital twins", decision-making and problem-solving, algorithm and system design, machine learning, big data analysis, the Internet of Things, and Industry 4.0 are encouraged to apply. Candidates with robotics interests as applied to healthcare and those with cross-disciplinary expertise in artificial intelligence and robotics will be strongly considered.
The MEMS Department currently has 33 tenured or tenure-track faculty members who generate over $16 million in annual research expenditures. The Department maintains cutting-edge experimental and computational facilities in its five core research competencies: advanced manufacturing and design; materials for extreme conditions, biomechanics, and medical technologies; modeling and simulation; energy system technologies; and quantitative and in-situ materials characterization.
The successful candidate for this position will benefit from the resources, support, and multidisciplinary research environment fostered by many interdisciplinary centers, including the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Research Computing. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, with which the MEMS department has a long history of collaboration, provides direct access to applications and collaborations in healthcare.
Qualified applicants should submit their applications through the Pitt Talent Center. The application should include the following materials in PDF form: a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching plans, a statement describing experience with or interest in activities to enhance diversity, inclusion, and equity, and the names and contact information of at least three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
In line with the Swanson School of Engineering’s values of inclusive excellence, we are committed to creating and maintaining a climate and culture that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community.
_ _The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.
