Working/Functional Title
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System
Position Summary
The College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a tenure-system faculty position in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. We will consider all areas related to Space Electronics and in particular the design, performance, and testing of artificial intelligence (AI) hardware systems. We encourage applications for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor and will consider exceptional candidates for appointment at the rank of Associate or (Full) Professor. This position is supported through Michigan State University’s Global Impact Initiative, designed to address global grand challenges and national priorities through the creation of over 100 new faculty positions in some of the most promising – and critical – fields of research.
Candidates must have earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering or a discipline related to Space Electronics at the time of appointment, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027. Successful candidates will be expected to develop a sustainable, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program; contribute significantly to their discipline through scholarly work; demonstrate effective teaching and mentorship of both undergraduate and graduate students; participate in institutional and professional service; and contribute to the university’s land-grant mission. Faculty appointments are expected to reside primarily within the College of Engineering; however, appointments in other colleges or academic units may be made, depending on the candidate’s expertise and interdisciplinary alignment. Joint appointments will be considered as appropriate. Candidates are encouraged to describe how their research complements and enhances existing strengths across Michigan State University.
All areas of research specialization will be considered, with a particular interest in candidates whose work has the potential to impact space electronics and aligns with the MSU Space Electronics Initiative, in close collaboration with the on-campus high-energy ion test facilities.
Highly encouraged areas of research include:
- Protocols for testing the unique features of AI hardware through advances in instrumentation, analysis, and software.
- Space applications and space readiness for emerging AI on hardware technologies
- Specialized environmental and test demands across AI systems in space, spanning signal processing, memory, power, and communications
- Concepts, devices, and circuits advancing state-of-the-art semiconductors, including (but not limited to):
- Wide bandgap devices
- Silicon photonics
- Other photonic IC platforms for space applications
- Heterogeneous microsystem integration and packaging of semiconductors and chiplets
- Radiation and temperature effects on next-generation materials and electronics applications
Other qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and an ability to work in a collaborative research environment. Joint appointments with other engineering departments are possible, considering existing strengths and capabilities and the candidate’s preferences. Successful candidates will be appointed to an academic-year position in the tenure system, with tenure, if appropriate. Successful candidates are expected to elevate MSU's reputation through their professional activities.
This is a union position represented by the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF). The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement.
Eligibility Requirements
The position involves participation in export-controlled research, requiring eligibility for facility access, testing of export-controlled parts, and compliance with technology export controls and federal sponsor requirements. Therefore, the successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time of appointment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Candidates must have earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering or a discipline related to Space Electronics.
Minimum Requirements
- Have an earned PhD in Electrical Engineering or a discipline related to Space Electronics at the time of appointment
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time of appointment
- Potential for providing high-quality instruction and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels
- Demonstrated ability and/or potential to provide service to the Department, the University, and the profession, and to work with students and faculty from a variety of backgrounds
- For Assistant Professor candidates: strong potential for high-quality research likely to result in top-level publications and national recognition
- For Associate/Full Professor candidates: an established national reputation for original and influential research, with demonstrable evidence of continued growth in national status
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated leadership ability, with strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to build effective working relationships across diverse teams
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to varied audiences
- Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment
- Evidence of potential to successfully compete for external funding
- Demonstrated potential for developing and contributing to interdisciplinary engineering courses at the undergraduate and graduate level
- A strong record of scholarly productivity with the potential for significant impact on the field, practice, policy, or society
Required Application Materials
Interested individuals should apply for this position through http://careers.msu.edu. The application must include the following materials:
- A detailed CV
- A cover letter summarizing your qualifications
- A one-page statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy
- A one-page research philosophy and vision statement
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
Candidates are encouraged to describe the potential impact of their work and how it aligns with the existing strengths of the Departments, College, or other programs at MSU.
Special Instructions
Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about this position are welcome and should be directed to the search committee chair by email at space_electronics@egr.msu.edu.
Review of Applications Begins On
12/01/2026
Website
https://engineering.msu.edu/
Department Statement
Community of Respect and Innovation
At Michigan State University’s College of Engineering, we believe that education and innovation are strongest when built on mutual respect. Guided by MSU’s land-grant mission, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge, expanding access to education, and creating solutions that serve the common good. We are committed to a community where each person is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive—engineering with respect, innovating with purpose, building with trust, and growing through resilience. Learn more about our Community of Respect and Innovation.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Michigan State University has a longstanding tradition of excellence in education, research, and innovation. ECE faculty and students are engaged in leading-edge research across areas including electromagnetics, materials and devices, microelectronics, computing, robotics and control, energy and power systems, signal processing and communications, autonomous systems, biomedical engineering, and emerging nanoscale technologies. The department offers undergraduate programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering, as well as master's and doctoral programs that prepare students to address complex technological challenges and contribute to advances across industry, government, and academia. With a strong commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary research, hands-on education, and societal impact, ECE provides a dynamic environment for faculty to develop innovative research programs, educate the next generation of engineers, and engage with partners across Michigan State University and beyond.
About The College of Engineering
For over 130 years, the MSU College of Engineering has advanced, shared, and applied engineering knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges. Guided by Michigan State University’s land-grant mission, we are dedicated to preparing exceptional graduates, conducting breakthrough research, and driving innovations that serve the public good—improving lives locally and globally. With annual research expenditures of $71 million, the college offers world-class facilities, resources, and support to push the boundaries of discovery and application.
Our eight departments span a wide range of disciplines with strengths that include computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, spanning departments, other colleges, and an extensive global network of research partners. With a strong tradition of mentorship and a culture that values creativity, impact, and service, the MSU College of Engineering provides an environment where faculty can thrive.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
