The University of Memphis invites applications for an assistant professor tenure-track faculty position in Hypersonic Materials and Extreme Environments in the Department of Physics and Materials Science. The successful candidate will also hold the designation of the Memphis Institute for National Defense Sciences (MINDS) Distinguished Fellow in Hypersonic Materials and Extreme Environments. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
The successful candidate will contribute scientific leadership to the University’s expanding hypersonics research portfolio within MINDS and will help develop research partnerships with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Memphis Detachment. The candidate will be expected to establish a nationally recognized, externally funded research program focused on high-temperature materials, extreme-environment materials science, and technologies supporting hypersonic and high-speed aerospace systems.
ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities will also include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in physics and materials science, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and participating in service activities within the Department, College, University, and broader professional community. The position will include a leadership role in the development and scientific direction of the MINDS Thermal Evaluation Readiness and Materials Analysis Laboratory (THERMAL), an emerging capability for flight-representative testing and characterization of advanced materials for Department of Defense applications.
The University of Memphis is an R1 institution. The College of Arts and Sciences offers competitive faculty workloads that recognize demonstrated research productivity while balancing research, teaching, and service responsibilities in accordance with College workload policy. Please refer to the CAS Teaching/Workload Guidelines for additional information.
THERMAL is being developed to enable rapid evaluation of thermal protection systems, refractory alloys, advanced ceramics, composites, radome materials, and other materials under combined thermal and aerodynamic loading representative of Mach 5–20 flight conditions.
As the inaugural MINDS Hypersonics Distinguished Fellow, the successful candidate will help shape the University’s long-term strategy in hypersonics research, defense innovation, workforce development, and federal research laboratory collaboration.
QualificationsPh.D. in physics, materials science, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens in order to obtain appropriate security clearance.
Skills Required
- Ph.D. in physics, materials science, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field
- U.S. citizenship to obtain the appropriate security clearance
What We Do
The University of Memphis is a public research university in Memphis, Tennessee, committed to academic excellence and community engagement. Driven by a philosophy of 'doing,' the institution leverages a diverse workforce of faculty and staff to foster a dynamic learning environment. The university provides a comprehensive range of educational opportunities and maintains a strong commitment to equal employment and institutional equity.
