Assistant Professor Robotics Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Office Location
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
1201 W. University Drive
Human Resources
MASS Building 2 nd Floor
Edinburg, TX 78539

Edinburg: (956)665-2451
Brownsville: (956) 882-8205
Office hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Scope of Job

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s student body as an Assistant Professor of Research at in the Department of Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing ( IAM ) beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. This position is considered grant funded and is contingent upon availability of funds.
The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing ( IAM ) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) seeks an Assistant Professor for Research to expand IAM’s externally funded research and workforce-development portfolio, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), digital manufacturing, smart manufacturing, robotics and automation, rare earth element manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing workforce development.

The priority of this position is the development and acquisition of external funding. The successful candidate will be expected to proactively identify funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals, establish multidisciplinary teams and external partnerships, and serve as Principal Investigator (PI), Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), or key technical contributor on externally funded projects.

The faculty member will work closely with IAM leadership, affiliated faculty, research staff, industry, national laboratories, government agencies, universities, workforce organizations, community colleges, and other partners to develop major research, education, and workforce-development initiatives.

Responsibilities will include:

• External funding and proposal development
• AI, Digital Manufacturing, and Rare Earth Manufacturing Research
• Advanced manufacturing workforce development
• Industry engagement and technology transition
• Sponsored project execution and management
• Student research and mentoring
• Collaboration and strategic program development

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.

Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website.

Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence or a related field from an accredited university (at least conferred before the start date of September 1, 2026). Applicants must demonstrate evidence of potential for independent research, skill in interdisciplinary research and collaboration, along with the potential to develop an outstanding research program and high-profile publications, as well as a successful record of external funding.

• Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated research expertise relevant to AI, digital manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, or related technologies.
• Evidence of strong scholarly or applied research accomplishments.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to develop competitive externally funded proposals.
• Ability to develop multidisciplinary collaborations with academic, government, and industry partners.
• Strong technical, written, and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated record of securing external research or workforce-development funding.
• Experience serving as PI, Co-PI, or key personnel on externally funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience developing federal research proposals.
• Experience with agencies and programs supporting advanced manufacturing, AI, defense, energy, workforce development, economic development, or critical materials and rare earth element supply chains.
• Experience building multi-institutional teams and industry partnerships for competitive proposals.
• Experience applying AI and digital technologies to real-world manufacturing problems.
• Experience in rare earth element processing, critical materials engineering, or related supply chain technologies.
• Experience developing hands‑on technical training, workforce curricula, microcredentials, apprenticeships, or industry certification programs.
• Strong peer‑reviewed publication record and experience mentoring students.

License or Certification Required? No

Salary Commensurate with experience.

09/01/2026

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

08/21/2026

08/25/2026

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).