Open-Rank Professor, Engineering

About the Role

The University of Austin (UATX) educates citizens and leaders capable of assuring national prosperity and the success of constitutional liberty. The Center for Sciences invites applications for faculty positions in Engineering, open to candidates at any academic rank. Ideal candidates are passionate about teaching, eager to innovate, and committed to reforming higher education.

Teaching & Student Development

• Small, seminar-style classes (typical section size 12–20 students) with talented, motivated students accustomed to high expectations and rigorous standards.
• Annual teaching load of 18 quarter hours (equivalent to a 12-semester-hour or 2/2 load in a semester system).
• Teaching spans all class levels: upper-division courses in the candidate's specialty, plus broader lower-division courses across related areas.

Research & External Impact

UATX research respects a broader standard than many institutions, ranging from traditional journal and conference publications to outward-facing work with startups and larger firms. Research is evaluated on intellectual significance and on practical, constructive impact on the human condition.

Institutional Building & Service

UATX is both a university and a startup, so service is light on bureaucracy and long on innovation and initiative. Faculty are involved in designing and building a creative improvement to traditional higher education.

Engineering Concentration Qualifications

• PhD in an engineering discipline (PhD in physics or chemistry will be considered).
• Strong teaching ability.
• A record of engineering research or advanced work in technology.
• Multidisciplinary viewpoint and breadth of interest within the hard sciences.
• Ability to mentor students in a variety of engineering-related projects.

About the Center for Sciences

The Center for Sciences teaches students to think and reason quantitatively and scientifically, and to creatively apply mathematics, economics, science, and technology to constructive purpose. All Sciences students complete an intense core STEM curriculum with opportunities to focus in mathematics, quantitative economics, computer science, AI, physics, or applied engineering. All UATX students also complete the Intellectual Foundations core curriculum (literature, philosophy, history, mathematics, science, economics), preparing Sciences students for leadership in scientific and technological fields.

UATX is building a new Applied Engineering Lab in Bastrop, Texas, where students engage in hands-on learning to design, build, and test complex electromechanical systems. The lab sits next to The Boring Company's headquarters and across from SpaceX's Starlink factory, placing students at the center of a dynamic advanced-manufacturing corridor, 45 minutes from the downtown Austin campus.

Appointment Details

• Rank: Assistant, Associate, or full Professor.
• Anticipated start date: Fall 2027.
• Part-time appointments considered; indicate preference in cover letter.
• Compensation is competitive, commensurate with rank, and includes comprehensive benefits and a research stipend.
• Quarter-system schedule; annual teaching load of 18 quarter hours (equivalent to 12 semester hours / 2–2 load).
• Long-term academic appointments supported by renewable five-year contracts (no traditional tenure system).

Application Process

• Submit a CV and cover letter via the UATX website.
• Cover letter should describe interest in the position, relevant teaching and research experience, and alignment with UATX's distinctive mission.
• Review of applications begins immediately.
• Priority review for applications submitted by January 4, 2027.
• Selected candidates may be asked to provide writing samples, a list of references, and/or a teaching portfolio.

About the University of Austin

UATX is a non-partisan institution committed to the fearless pursuit of truth and the highest standards of scholarship and pedagogy. The university does not accept federal funding and does not charge tuition. Standardized testing is required for admission; average student scores on the SAT, ACT, and CLT are in the top 5% nationwide. The curriculum emphasizes the distinctive value of Western civilization and the unique prosperity of American civilization alongside mathematics, computer science, physics, applied engineering, business, and law. More information: https://uaustin.org/.

UATX may use AI tools to support parts of the hiring process (e.g., reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, assessing responses). These tools assist the recruitment team but do not replace human judgment; final hiring decisions are made by humans. For information about data processing, contact the university.