Phd Graduate Student Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview
The ECE Department invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in space systems engineering, with emphasis in one or more of the following areas:
(a) Space-based electro-optical (EO) and/or RF sensor systems, (b) Space-weather sensor systems and instrumentation, and/or (c) Spacecraft systems engineering (smallsats/CubeSats, spacecraft instrumentation, mission design, integration, and operations).
Facilities, Testbeds, and Research Support
The position includes dedicated lab space and access to shared university facilities and partner testbeds. Facilities support for space hardware programs includes electronics prototyping, RF/microwave measurement, optical/EO characterization, mechanical fabrication resources, and equipment and pathways for environmental qualification (e.g., thermal-vacuum/vibration) via shared or partner resources.
Startup and Mentoring Support
USU offers a competitive startup package commensurate with rank and program needs. For hardware-intensive programs, departments frequently assemble startup support that can include equipment, lab build-out, and graduate student support.
New faculty receive structured mentoring support (e.g., mentoring committee, teaching support, and proposal development resources).
This is an academic year (9 month) funded position. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:

• Build a high-impact, externally funded research program; publish in peer-reviewed venues; and mentor graduate students.
• Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with departmental needs and their expertise.
• Contribute to departmental, college, and university service and demonstrate professional engagement and leadership.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Aerospace, or a closely related field by the start date.
2. Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the focus areas above and the ability to teach in the aligned curriculum.
3. Ability to obtain a United States DoD Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
Applicants are especially encouraged to highlight evidence of mission/hardware readiness, such as:

1. Flight or proto-flight hardware contributions (payloads, sensors, avionics, RF/EO subsystems), integration/test artifacts, or mission operations roles.
2. Competitive funding trajectory (PI/co-PI history, proposal leadership, or a fundable near-term plan).

Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:

• Curriculum Vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV".

The docments listed below to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Documents 1-10"

• Cover letter summarizing motivation, qualifications, experience, and career goals.
• Names and contact information of at least three professional references (we will only solicit reference letters from final candidates).
• A concise statement of up to three pages that conveys your vision of how your proposed research program will: 1) address specific topical areas in your research area, 2) complement existing ECE Department research, and 3) integrate with other interdisciplinary research/faculty collaborators at USU.
• A teaching statement (two pages maximum) that explains your approach to teaching and briefly describes existing or new courses you would like to teach or develop.
• Your most relevant peer-reviewed publications.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits
ADA
Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.
College/Department Highlights
The ECE Department has current enrollments of approximately 300 undergraduate and 75 Masters and PhD graduate students. The department offers MS degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Space Systems Engineering, and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering. The department currently has 20 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and 2 professors of practice, with research expenditures of about $10M annually. USU is located in a spectacular Rocky Mountain valley that offers year-round recreation and is 80 miles north of Salt Lake City.
Formal evaluation of the applications will begin on November 1, 2024 and the search will continue until the position is filled.
Further inquiries should be made to:
Scott Budge
Search Committee Chair
Email: scott.budge@usu.edu
For additional information on USU or the department, please consult:
http://www.usu.edu
http://ece.usu.edu
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.
USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State's 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies' long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women's volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women's soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.
*updated 12/2025
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The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:
Matthew Pinner
Executive Director
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
matthew.pinner@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
Cody Carmichael
Title IX Coordinator
cody.carmichael@usu.edu
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov
*updated 10/2025