Visiting Assistant Professor in Robotics

Department: MCC Masters in Robotics

The McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois is hiring a Visiting Assistant Professor (for a two-year appointment) to teach and mentor MS students in our MS in Robotics (MSR) program. Each year, MSR admits a small cohort of highly motivated students who, together with faculty in the Center for Robotics and Biosystems, pursue an intense, hands-on robotics curriculum that leads the students to becoming "full-stack" robotics engineers. The position provides an opportunity to work closely with these students while collaborating with our robotics faculty. Duties include teaching advanced robotics courses, mentoring a variety of cutting-edge robotics projects, and helping recruit the next cohort of MS students. The position provides substantial latitude to design courses, stay current on technical and scientific developments in robotics, and pursue research collaborations with our tenured and tenure-track faculty members.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; or an MS in these fields and significant industry experience.
• Experience deploying robotic algorithms on physical hardware.
• Experience with C++ and Python.
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS 2.
• Familiarity with machine learning techniques for robotics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in C++ and Python (including modern C++ best practices)
• Experience using ROS/ROS 2 on physical hardware
• Experience across a range of robotics subfields, especially (though not limited to):
  • Robotic Arms and Manipulation
  • Mobile Robots and SLAM
• Experience teaching hands-on robotics classes and/or mentoring robotics projects

The application package should include a cover letter, curriculum vita, statement of teaching experience and philosophy, statement of research accomplishments and interests, and a link to a video of a short teaching demonstration. Please visit the MSR website to find out more information about this position and to apply. For full consideration we encourage you to submit your application by December 7th, 2027, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The expected twelve-month academic base salary at the Visiting Assistant Professor level is $80,000 to $85,000 and is subject to negotiation. Sponsorship for an H-1B visa may be available for qualified candidates, subject to institutional policies and applicable immigration regulations.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at Northwestern Benefits to learn more.

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

Applications accepted here: Apply for Job

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.