Assistant Professor in Nuclear Engineering

About the job

Details

The University of Utah’s Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP), within the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, invites applications for up to two full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in Nuclear Engineering, starting August 1, 2027.

UNEP is part of a rapidly growing Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CVEEN), which has expanded its tenure-track faculty by 50% in the past decade and now manages over $8.3 million in annual research expenditures. The department includes 22 tenure-track faculty, five lecturers, and benefits from more than $16 million in external research funding (2025). Detailed information is at www.civil.utah.edu. The program features four core tenure-track faculty and draws on expertise from affiliated faculty across Engineering, Science, and Medicine. UNEP offers an undergraduate minor and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, and operates an NRC-licensed 100 kW TRIGA reactor with state-of-the-art facilities. Research areas span nuclear energy, advanced reactor designs, fuel cycles, safety, nuclear medicine, advanced modeling, fusion, and AI/ML applications. Faculty have access to premier research resources, including the Nanofab materials characterization center.

In response to growing demand for nuclear energy, UNEP seeks applicants in all areas of nuclear engineering, with particular interest in: (1) Thermal-hydraulics; (2) Nuclear fuel cycles for current and next-generation systems; (3) Nuclear fusion science and technology; (4) AI/ML relevant to nuclear engineering; and (5) Radiological Science.

Position expectations include: (1) Teaching undergraduate and graduate nuclear engineering courses; (2) Developing an externally funded research program; (3) Contributing to curriculum development and program improvement; (4) Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; and (5) Participating in service, outreach, and recruitment activities.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering or a closely related field by the date of hire, strong communication skills, and a commitment to teaching and research. The successful candidate is also expected to develop a strong externally funded research program and to be eligible to serve as a principal investigator on relevant U.S. federal nuclear research funding opportunities, including U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) grant programs, Department of Homeland Security, NNSA and others in accordance with applicable sponsor eligibility requirements.

The University of Utah is an R1 research institution located in Salt Lake City, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Utah was ranked the Best State to Live In (US News, 2026), and the University is the #1 Public University in the West (Wall Street Journal, 2024).

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, CV, statements of research and teaching interests, up to three relevant publications(all as PDF format), and contact information for three references.

Notice

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

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