Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Mechanical Engineering (Robotics and Sensing II,) (RISE THRIVE)

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor position in Robotics, Automation, and Autonomous Systems. This position is part of the RISE-THRIVE initiative.

The Wisconsin Research, Innovation, and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative is designed to help address significant, complex challenges of particular importance to Wisconsin and the world, through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration and increased student and educational opportunities. RISE-THRIVE, which stands for Transforming Healthspan through Research, InnoVation, and Education, is set to harness and grow the University's reputation as a global powerhouse in interdisciplinary health research -- translating both medical discoveries and innovative social science approaches into tangibly healthier lives for Wisconsinites and people and communities around the world.

We seek candidates with a vision to address societally impactful problems in any area(s) of robotics, automation, and autonomous system and to strengthen, broaden and deepen the research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Interests include but are not limited to: robotics and autonomous system control; modeling, sensing and perception; manipulation; robot structures, materials, dynamics, and actuators. In addition, research in related areas including Real-to-Sim-to-Real, machine learning, and artificial intelligence approaches to robotics, automation, and autonomous systems are of interest. While both theoretical and applied research is of interest, we are particularly interested in candidates that can articulate a clear vision of how their research will translate from research to practice in the broad context of Mechanical Engineering applications. Research in these areas is anticipated to lead to breakthroughs in applications such as: autonomous operation in challenging contexts (e.g. autonomous experimentation, medical robotics, extraterrestrial exploration); Automation and autonomous systems that can accelerate manufacturing, materials, and mechanical science discoveries and technology innovations beyond what is possible with conventional approaches; manipulation in complex tasks (e.g. material handling, agriculture/farming, medicine, human-robot cooperative manufacturing); mobility in unstructured environments in air, land, space, and underwater; and human-robot physical cooperation.

The UW Mechanical Engineering Department is a leader in Robotics and Autonomous Systems research and education. We have world-class facilities, and ongoing plans to transform the curriculum to educate thought leaders in these emerging fields. Additional facilities for Robotics, Mechatronics and Autonomous Systems are planned in the new UW Engineering building, currently under construction.

The department welcomes candidates who transcend the traditional boundaries of Mechanical Engineering and can incorporate insights from Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Materials Engineering or related disciplines to holistically address high impact societal problems related to the areas described above. Candidates should articulate how their research will engage and attract Mechanical Engineering students from all backgrounds.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering advances the mission of the College of Engineering to foster a respectful, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all members of our community. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information:

This position is part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaborations, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex social challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW-Madison's strengths, RISE expands the University's successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions. Over the next three academic years, UW-Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus.

Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venue such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating across to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration. Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/

Within the College of Engineering, the RISE-THRIVE program will bring new faculty to campus in the current search. Applicants to this position will be encouraged to collaborate with new and existing faculty members with the College of Engineering and elsewhere on campus, thereby building an enhanced community of health span researchers.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is rapidly expanding, with growing student enrollment and a dynamic wave of faculty hires, making it one of the university's most vibrant and fast-evolving departments. The Department offers and fosters a transdisciplinary research and educational environment and provides the infrastructure to address grand technological challenges. The Department also strives to create a culture of belonging for all members of our growing department. Candidates who can contribute to these priorities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in these areas in their cover letter, research statement, and/or teaching statement.

Current research areas in the ME Department include energy systems and storage, electrochemical systems, and sustainability; robotics, bio robotics, sensing and autonomous systems; computer-aided engineering, data-driven approaches, AI/ML and design; fluid and solid mechanics; renewable energy, aerodynamics, extreme mechanics, biomechanics; and advanced materials design and manufacturing. The Department is currently expanding its teaching and research portfolio in Aerospace Engineering. New research directions will continue to be launched and nurtured to facilitate creative solutions to transformative technical challenges.

Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses and contributing to curriculum updates and innovations; mentoring graduate students and supervising their research; developing and directing a successful, extramurally funded research program; participating in departmental and university shared governance; and contributing to professional and public service. Faculty at the associate or full professor rank will also have the responsibility of leading large research proposals and center-type activities.

• College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering

• Negotiable - 9 months / ongoing / renewable

• Candidates will have a demonstrated record of academic achievement such as peer-reviewed publications and grant awards appropriate for the early career, exceptional potential in establishing a world-class research program and a demonstrated commitment to high-quality and inclusive undergraduate and graduate instruction.

• Required PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related field by the start date.

• 
  

  Please apply directly to the website by clicking on "Apply Now". Upload a SINGLE PDF document containing a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including a complete list of publications, and the names and contact information for three references. Applicants should include a maximum three-page research statement and a one-page teaching statement describing how the applicant's research and teaching goals fit the solicitation described above. Applicants should also provide names and contact information for three references. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to hiring.

  
  

• The deadline for assuring full consideration is December 8, 2025. However, this position will remain open and applications may be considered until this position is filled.

Alissa Girdler

Department of Mechanical Engineering

agirdler@wisc.edu

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.