ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, AI-Enabled Critical Materials Processing & Circular Manufacturing / UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

As the only Carnegie R1 university in the Kansas City region, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is central to advancing research collaboration, materials supply chains, and new technology development. The University of Missouri System of 4 universities engaging with local and regional industry and manufacturing, transportation networks, government, and other universities, UMKC will lead the focus on solving one of the nation's most pressing economic and security challenges by investing in building the science, infrastructure, workforce, and manufacturing capacity required for critical materials production. UMKC was selected by the National Science Foundation as one of twelve teams to be awarded a 2026 NSF Regional Innovations Engines award.

Translational Critical Materials: From Molecule to Manufacturing

UMKC invites applications for a cluster of faculty positions in Translational Critical Materials, supporting the NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine (CMCE) and UMKC's growing capabilities in materials, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and national security.

The cluster will focus on the technical space between fundamental materials discovery and routine industrial production. Areas of interest include critical-material separation and purification, metal and alloy production, engineered materials and components, advanced and intelligent manufacturing, recycling and recovery, process scale-up, qualification, and resilient supply chains.

Successful candidates must demonstrate a research program that combines scientific and engineering originality with a credible pathway toward application. Evidence of translational impact may include:

• prototype or pilot-scale systems,
• process scale-up and validation,
• manufacturing-readiness advancement,
• patents, licenses, startups, or industry adoption,
• materials, process, or component qualification,
• sustained industry or national-laboratory partnerships,
• technoeconomic or lifecycle analysis tied to a real technology pathway.

Candidates whose work is exclusively fundamental, without a credible translational path, or exclusively industrial, without an original scholarly and educational program, will not fit the intent of this cluster.

Appointments will be made in the most appropriate academic discipline. Joint or affiliated appointments will be considered where appropriate.

Assistant Professor in AI-Enabled Critical Materials Processing

and Circular Manufacturing

UMKC invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor whose research uses artificial intelligence, data, sensing, automation, and systems engineering to accelerate the translation and manufacture of critical materials.

This is not intended as a generic AI search. The candidate's methods must be anchored in materials processing, manufacturing, recycling, or qualification.

Potential areas include:

• digital twins for critical-material processing and manufacturing,
• AI-assisted separation, refining, synthesis, and process optimization,
• autonomous experimentation and closed-loop process control,
• in-line sensing, metrology, defect detection, and quality assurance,
• predictive maintenance and manufacturing reliability,
• robotics and autonomous materials handling,
• data-driven process scale-up,
• AI-enabled recycling and circular manufacturing,
• technoeconomic, lifecycle, and supply-chain models that directly inform technology and manufacturing decisions,
• resilient and secure manufacturing systems.

Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• develop an externally funded translational research program,
• collaborate with materials scientists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists, statisticians, and industry partners,
• apply AI and computational methods to real processing and manufacturing environments,
• produce both scholarly outputs and experimentally or industrially validated technologies,
• contribute to CMC projects, shared research infrastructure, and regional industry partnerships,
• mentor students and teach courses in an appropriate SSE program.

• Doctorate in engineering, computer science, data science, applied mathematics, materials science, chemistry, or a closely related field,
• evidence of excellent research potential,
• a clear plan for an externally funded program at the intersection of intelligent systems and critical-material translation,
• commitment to teaching and mentoring.

Preferred qualifications

• experience with real manufacturing or pilot-process data,
• collaboration with industry or national laboratories,
• experience integrating models with sensors, control systems, robotics, or experimental platforms,
• evidence of software, data, or algorithms that have been validated outside a purely simulated environment.

Salary is commensurate with discipline specific market conditions, record of scholarly accomplishment, qualifications and success/potential for external funding in the field of expertise.

The position is anticipated to be a 9-month tenure-track, regular term faculty appointment, with research, teaching, and service devoted to CMC responsibilities. Summer research may be possible with achievement in external funding.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, discounted tuition at all four UM System campuses for employees and qualifying dependents, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

For consideration, please apply online at Careers - Human Resources | University of Missouri-Kansas City, click on Prospective Employees (Job Opening ID 61725).

Please complete the application and questionnaire, and submit the following:

• Cover letter highlighting qualifications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position and scholarship for research focus
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement including a clear plan for an externally funded program at the intersection of intelligent systems and critical-material translation scholarship and any prior success in externally funded research
• Statement of teaching experience, courses taught, and experience mentoring students
• Five professional references and current associated contact information

Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachment. Limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.).

• If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu
• Please direct all inquiries about the position please contact umhrexecutivesearch@umsystem.edu at UMKC, including the job identification number 61725 and name of the position
• Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323

Higher education transcripts are required for candidates advancing as finalists. Candidates will receive prior notification when references will be contacted. After the committee's initial review, all uploaded materials may be shared with leadership, appropriate division/department faculty, and faculty for CMCE. A Criminal Background Check is required for hire.

Applications will be accepted until a qualified candidate is hired.

Employment visa sponsorship may be available for this position.

UMKC is a public, urban, R1 research university with more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UMKC is located in the heart of Kansas City, a vibrant urban community that combines Midwestern charm with an affordable cost of living. Kansas City is a world-class computing and engineering hub, home to companies such as Oracle/Cerner, Ericsson, IBM, SS&C, Garmin, and Honeywell (defense contracts) that provide enriching educational partnerships for students and faculty. Our university is committed to being a model urban institution recognized for its partnerships with surrounding urban communities, effectively fostering a healthy, safe, and more economically secure quality of life. We are proud to be Kansas City's University. https://www.umkc.edu/

A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. The university is located in a Kansas City metropolitan area that is among the most entrepreneurial cities in America with a population of more than 2.4 million. Our UMKC campuses are centered in the hubs of business activity, cultural arts, (some great barbeque and ethnic cuisine!) and health science research engagement for both the Volker and Health Sciences campuses. Our community boasts championship professional athletic teams, NASCAR racing, a new international airport, and a rich history of music and performing arts. Our beautiful state provides rivers, lakes, biking/hiking trails and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts all within an easy drive. Visit Kansas City: Find Events, Things to Do & More

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.