PhD

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The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (https://ece.engr.uky.edu/) at the University of Kentucky (UK) invites qualified candidates to apply for 9-month (Regular Title Series) tenure-eligible faculty positions in computer engineering or power engineering at the assistant-professor level with an anticipated start date of Fall 2026. The targeted computer engineering areas are computer architecture, hardware/software co-design for computing systems, emerging computing technologies and architectures (e.g., optical, quantum, and neuromorphic computing), and cyber-physical systems. The targeted power engineering areas are power electronics, power systems, electric machines and drives, intelligent resilient grids, alternative and renewable energy systems, and energy storage. Significant investment in both research and instruction will be expected in the initial year of the appointment, with time allocation in future years to be adjusted as appropriate.

The candidate will complement and further strengthen existing departmental research areas in power and energy, computer engineering, electronics and materials, electromagnetics, controls, robotics and autonomous systems, and signals, communications and intelligent systems. ECE faculty are renowned researchers in their areas, and the ECE department provides an excellent environment and support for faculty to grow. In 2025, three ECE faculty members received the NSF CAREER awards, one ECE faculty member received a DARPA Young Faculty Award, and two of our PhD students received NSF Graduate Research Fellowships.

Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent degree earned in an electrical or computer engineering field from an accredited institution. Candidates with interdisciplinary research involving both power and computer engineering are especially encouraged to apply. Responsibilities for the successful candidate include establishment of an independent research program that is supported by awards from extramural agencies, contribution to the teaching mission of the undergraduate program, teaching and mentoring for graduate students, and service for the department, university, and profession.

The city of Lexington is regularly recognized as one of the best places to live in the USA. It is situated in the heart of Kentucky surrounded by gently rolling bluegrass hills, enjoys a mild climate, and has a vibrant entrepreneurial community and outstanding healthcare facilities. The University of Kentucky is the flagship university for the Commonwealth and is one of only eight universities in the United States that house colleges of agriculture, engineering, medicine, and pharmacy on a single campus, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees' retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a full curriculum vitae, a research statement (3-page limit, upload under Specific Request 1), a teaching statement (2-page limit, upload as Specific Request 2), and contact information for 3 references. We request that the teaching statement specifically address undergraduate and graduate teaching interests.

Multiple positions available. Review of applications will begin December 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. The desired starting date for this position is August 16, 2026.

Requests for further information regarding application procedures may be directed to Ms. Katherine Crow (katherine.crow@uky.edu). Questions for the chair of the search committee can be directed to Dr. Yuan Liao (Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering) at yuan.liao@uky.edu.

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.