Assistant Research Professor for Electric Propulsion & Plasma Engineering

The Assistant Professor is expected to develop an internationally recognized research program with a concentration on in-space propulsion and plasma devices. They will advise students and provide service to the university. The role will demonstrate a commitment to CSU’s mission through research and service.

Full Consideration Date: please apply by Monday, 11/09/2026, 11:59pm (MT).

• Conduct and publish research, pursue external funding, and contribute to scholarly advancement in the field.
• Provide service to the department, university, profession, and community in support of CSU’s mission.
• Conduct and publish research, pursue external funding, and contribute to scholarly advancement in the propulsion and plasma-based systems.
  • Secure patents and publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Secure single PI and multi-PI research grants in plasma propulsion and engineering topics.
  • Collaborate with companies to secure commercial contracts and conduct testing.
• Mentor students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Train students and manage daily research activities.
  • Advise or co-advise and successfully graduate multiple PhD graduate students per year.
  • Provide service to the department, university, profession, and community in support of CSU’s mission.

• Pre-employment criminal background check (required for all new hires).
• Legally authorized to work in the US by the proposed start date.

• Supervise and advise undergraduate and graduate students working on awarded projects.
• Guide and develop student-led PhD and Master of Science research projects and publications.

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field, with a research emphasis on electric propulsion or plasma engineering.
• Evidence of research productivity or strong potential to establish a sustainable scholarly program (e.g., publications, presentations, grant activity).
• Demonstrated ability to teach effectively at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. 
• At least three years of professional research experience beyond the master's degree in electric propulsion testing and plasma diagnostics, including hands-on operation of high-vacuum test facilities.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications in electric propulsion or plasma physics, including first-author journal articles and conference papers.
• Demonstrated success securing external research funding as PI or Co-PI from federal agencies and/or industry sponsors.
• Experience managing sponsored research projects, including budgets, expenditures, deliverables, and sponsor reporting.

• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in experimental research.

• Experience serving as PI on federally sponsored research (e.g., DoD, DARPA, NASA, AFOSR).
• Experience directing a university research laboratory or test facility, including managing vacuum infrastructure, staffing, and operations.
• Track record of managing industry testing-services contracts and commercial collaborations.
• Inventor on a patent or patent application related to electric propulsion or plasma testing.
• Hands-on expertise across multiple plasma diagnostic families — electrostatic probes (Langmuir, RPA, ExB, ESA), laser-based diagnostics (LIF/TALIF, Thomson scattering), and time-resolved measurements.
• Experience developing electron sources and hollow cathodes, including alternative-propellant compatibility (e.g., iodine, oxygen).
• Experience applying data-driven, causal-inference, or machine-learning methods to plasma-device telemetry.
• Participation in community recommended-practice or standards efforts in electric propulsion.
• Experience preparing SBIR/STTR and other proposals in partnership with small businesses.
• Established collaborations with NASA centers, national laboratories, or peer universities.
• University-level teaching or laboratory instruction experience.

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

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Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.