Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training

The Opportunity

The School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training (SMST) at the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) of the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites outstanding applicants for a full-time, 9-month faculty position at the rank of assistant professor (tenure-earning) or associate professor (tenured), starting in Fall 2026. The successful candidate is expected to teach graduate level courses, advise graduate students (Ph.D. and M.S.) and postdoctoral scholars, contribute to university and professional service and establish a top-quality, vigorous foundational or applied research program in one or more of the following areas: modeling and simulation of robotics and cybernetics, robotics-human cooperation, embodied AI, IoT and industry 4.0, physics-based and physics-inspired modeling of physical-digital systems, and design, optimization, and evaluation of robotic hardware, sensors, and actuators. Additionally, expertise in AI and machine learning within the above listed robotic systems is strongly preferred.

Application areas include but are not limited to defense, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics & supply chains, smart cities, and emerging civil, commercial, and national security space-related research.

Founded in 2001, the graduate programs at SMST are recognized as the first modeling and simulation programs in the nation. SMST is one of seven units at CECS, which is the largest college on campus with over 17,000 students, and over $60 million in research funding. SMST also maintains a strong partnership and is co-located with UCF's Institute for Simulation and Training (IST).

Located in Orlando, Florida, UCF is the largest university by enrollment in the state and one of the largest universities in the nation with over 70 thousand students, 220 degree programs, and 13 colleges. UCF has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 5 most innovative public universities in the US for 2025. Central Florida is a hub for modeling and simulation that supports many government agencies and private companies with estimated $7 billion in modeling, training and simulation contracts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in an area appropriate to this position including, but not limited to, engineering, robotics, and computer science at the time of appointment.

• Two years of faculty experience for those applying for the assistant professor position. The selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with a faculty appointment at the rank of assistant professor with two years of experience.

• Five years of faculty experience to be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor upon hire. The selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of associate professor.

• A sustained record of research and extramural funding commensurate with the rank applied for.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in mentoring doctoral students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career faculty.

• Experience in leading national and international interdisciplinary research collaborations.

• Experience in academic administration, including research project management, personnel hiring, purchasing, and budget management.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae.

• A letter of interest describing qualifications for the position, such as research agenda and teaching experience/interest.

NOTE:Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search should be directed toProfessor Grace Bochenek at Grace.Bochenek@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as 'Open until filled' may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options.

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment.

• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

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Type of Appointment

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As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.