Job Details

Tenure-Track Fellow to Faculty Position, LEGACY Program

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Department:

Engineering | Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Tenure faculty (regardless of rank) are persons with the titles of professor, associate professor, assistant professor and instructor who serve on appointments totaling 50% or more service to the university and who are eligible for tenure or who have obtained tenure. Duties and responsibilities are assigned in accordance with the workload guidelines laid out in the pattern of administration of each faculty member's tenure initiation unit (TIU) and, as appropriate, regional campus; obligations will include research, service and/or teaching or clinical practice. These faculty will have earned a doctorate or another terminal degree in the relevant field of study or possession of equivalent experience.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at The Ohio State University invites applications for the College of Engineering's Fellow to Faculty program in the area of Aerodynamic Measurement Technology (AMT). The Fellow will hold a disciplinary appointment in MAE at The Ohio State University. The Fellow will start as early as Autumn 2026 and work closely with primary research mentors housed in the Aerospace Research Center (ARC) within MAE.

Position Overview

The College of Engineering's Tenure-Track Fellow to Faculty (F2F) Program is a two-year initiative designed to support early-career (i.e., postdoctoral) scholars in transitioning to a tenure-track position. This program provides Fellows with a structured, evidence-based mentoring model, allowing them to focus full-time on the development and expansion of their independent research portfolio for two years. During this period, Fellows have limited teaching and service requirements. Additionally, Fellows will have PI status, access to startup funding and participate in career development programs to facilitate their transition to a tenure-track assistant professor role and long-term success.

This opportunity has the option for a 9/12 or 12/12 position.

The Fellow will actively engage in scholarly activities within MAE and will develop a team of primary (i.e., research), secondary (i.e., teaching and service), and interdisciplinary mentors in areas of the Fellow's choosing to guide their progress. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, the Fellow will immediately transition to a faculty position at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor within their home unit, and the tenure clock will begin. Since the offer for the faculty position is secured at the start of the program, the Fellow will not need to re-interview for the tenure-track role if they are in good standing. At that time, MAE will further facilitate the mentoring, promotion, and tenure process, ensuring a smooth and supportive pathway to career advancement.

The successful applicant is expected to establish a vibrant research program, including the ability to attract significant Federal funding and industrial partnerships, that complements the existing capabilities of the ARC at Ohio State and expands MAE departmental strengths in aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics.

Due to U.S. export control regulations governing information, technology, and facilities accessed during the performance of this work, applicants must be: (1) U.S. citizens or nationals; (2) permanent residents; (3) asylees or refugees; or (4) individuals otherwise described as “protected individuals” pursuant to Title 8 U.S. Code Section 1324b(a)(3)(b).

Performance Objectives

During the two-year program, the Fellow will be expected to:

• Progress toward independent research, co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students, participate on collaborative research teams, and present to technical audiences.
• Form research, teaching, and personal networks to inform their holistic growth as a Fellow.
• Engage in relevant department, college, university, and disciplinary communities that promote professional and personal advancement.
• Engage in one-on-one and group sessions with mentors who will guide and critique the Fellow's progress.
• Reflect and respond to formative and summative feedback of scholarly progress to advance their career trajectory.

After two years and the Fellow's transition to Assistant Professor:

• Engage in research, teaching, and service activities appropriate to the promotion and tenure of an assistant professor in MAE.
• Develop and maintain a nationally and internationally recognized externally funded research program in their technical field.
• Teach and mentor students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and supervise student and postdoctoral research.
• Participate in service to the university (internal) and the non-university (external) research community.

Qualifications

Required for Fellows:

• Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related engineering or science discipline.
• Evidence of research accomplishments (papers, presentations, products, outreach, etc.) and potential to secure funding in AMT.
• Evidence of interest in excellence in teaching and mentoring related to AMT.
• Ability to learn from and engage with mentors, colleagues, and students with differing perspectives and backgrounds.
• Ability to work with others in a collaborative, positive, congenial, and professional team environment.
• Willingness to receive and act on formative and summative feedback from mentors in the F2F program.

Desired for Fellows:

• Dissemination of findings at national conferences and within peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
• Openness to out of the box thinking and the application of nontraditional thinking to one's discipline.
• A commitment to interdisciplinary education and collaborative research, particularly in the context of ongoing research at Ohio State.

Required for Assistant Professor (at the end of two years)

• Evidence of research productivity and potential to secure external funding in AMT.
• Ability to teach and supervise undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Evidence of innovative thinking with a willingness to share ideas and continuously learn.

Desired for Assistant Professor (at the end of two years)

• Evidence of leadership and the ability to collaborate effectively in an academic setting.
• Experience or training in mentoring and teaching.
• Evidence of an ability to work constructively, decisively, and collegially with both external and internal colleagues and interdisciplinary teams.
• Evidence of independent and proactive operation with strong project leadership skills.
• Demonstrated efforts in research, teaching, and/or outreach and engagement that reflect Ohio State's Shared Values.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin by November 15, 2025.

Application link:

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans/disability.