ASTD seeks outstanding faculty candidates for tenure-track positions in all areas of astronautics and space technology. Particular areas of interest include orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, chemical and electric propulsion, high-enthalpy flows, and space environment. All tenure-track faculty ranks will be considered. ASTD is an independent, department-level academic unit offering a full set of degrees (Bachelor of Science, Bachelor Minor, Master of Science, Engineer, Ph.D.) in Astronautical Engineering.
The graduate program of the USC Viterbi School of Engineeringhas been consistently ranked in the top 10 in the US News & World Report for the past several years. The School’s 170 tenured and tenure track faculty are conducting research in leading-edge technologies with about $150 million in research expenditures annually. The Viterbi School is home to the Information Sciences Institute (ISI), two active National Science Foundation-funded Engineering Research Centers, the USC Stevens Institute for Technology Commercialization, and the Department of Homeland Security’s first center of excellence.
Successful applicants will be expected to teach at the graduate and undergraduate levels and to develop strong research programs. Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2006, but will continue until the positions are filled.
Interested applicants should send a letter clearly indicating the area of specialization, a detailed curriculum vitae, a one-page statement on current and future research directions, and names of at least four professional references to:
Chair, Search Committee
University of Southern California
Astronautics and Space Technology Division
854B Downey Way
Los Angeles, California 90089-1192
ASTD plans to expand its course offerings and is looking for experts who are interested in joining the program as part-time lecturers. We anticipate that three or four new courses will be introduced in 2006-2008. In particular, we are looking for those who can teach new graduate courses in any of the following areas:
- Advanced chemical (liquid and solid) propulsion
- Introduction to space communications
- Launch vehicle design
- Manned spaceflight
- Missile design and engineering
- Mission operations and control
- Reliability of space systems
- Space electronics
- Spacecraft command and data systems
- Spacecraft power systems
- Spacecraft sensors and space instrumentation
An earned Ph.D. is required. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a part-time lecturer, please email the ASTD Chair, Prof. Mike Gruntman (
mikeg@usc.edu), a brief statement describing your area of expertise and teaching interests and a brief CV.
USC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and members of under-represented minority groups.
