Director & Associate/Full Professor
Job Description:The Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment (ESSIE) at the University of Florida http://www.essie.ufl.edu/ in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE) is soliciting applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to serve as the Director of the University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI)
The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE) at the University of Florida (UF) invites applications for a visionary director of the UF Transportation Institute (UFTI) to drive innovation and expand the impact on congestion, safety, and the economy of university-led R&D on pedestrian, multi-modal, roadway, railway, seaport, space-port, and advanced air mobility infrastructure. Accelerating rates of technological innovation in AI, energy storage, materials, industrialized construction, sensing, and autonomous systems present a watershed moment for the transportation field to address the need for resilient transportation infrastructure and logistics, and the growing demand for multimodal transportation options that cater to diverse user needs. With Florida’s extensive infrastructure, including 275,000 lane miles and world-class R&D infrastructure (e.g., Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Ansley Center, FDOT State Materials Office, FDOT Traffic Engineering Research Laboratory, I-STREET, SunTrax), Florida can lead the nation in technological and workforce transformation. UFTI is uniquely equipped to shape this future and set new standards in transportation innovation.
The UFTI director will strengthen Florida’s national leadership by shaping how university-led research is conducted and managed and partners with FDOT. This leadership will focus on shifting the state’s transportation R&D portfolio to address key technology challenges. Florida offers abundant opportunities to demonstrate the effectiveness of emerging technologies in solving complex and real-world challenges and enhancing digital literacy for the future transportation workforce.
The UFTI vision statement is “To lead the profession in shaping a better transportation future by functioning as a preeminent center of multidisciplinary transportation research, student’s top choice for transportation education, and a provider of state-of-the-art analysis and decision-support tools.” The UFTI mission statement is “To conduct and foster impactful, cross-cutting, multimodal transportation research; educate the next generation of transportation leaders; and facilitate technology transfer.” UFTI is home to auxiliary programs McTrans, Technology Transfer (T2), and I-STREET, each of which plays a distinctive but complementary role within the transportation profession. McTrans develops and supports industry-leading software for highway capacity design and traffic simulations. T2 provides training and safety program support to industry throughout Florida and beyond, while I-STREET provides an active test bed in the city of Gainesville for new transportation technologies for the entire state.
This nine-month faculty position will be at the rank of Associate/Full Professor in any engineering discipline or computer science. Responsibilities for the successful candidate include leading the UFTI, building an impactful research program focused on transportation, leading large, multi-investigator and multi-university initiatives and proposals, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, and contributing to department service activities in their home department. Candidates will be expected to forge strong industry and government partnerships to advance transportation safety, reduce congestion, and deliver innovative solutions for the movement of people and goods. These collaborations are expected to expand UF’s reach and influence in transportation, ensuring our research has a tangible impact on multiple industries.
The University of Florida is strategically positioned to maintain a leadership role nationwide in transportation. The University of Florida is the flagship campus of the State of Florida university system and is highly ranked by multiple news outlets. UF is currently ranked as one of the best public universities, 7th according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report of Best Colleges. UF is home to HiPerGator, the nation’s third-ranked university supercomputer. The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering is expanding its faculty and state-of-the-art research and education facilities with a focus on AI. The Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology, a 260,000 sq feet facility that serves as the hub for Artificial Intelligence, opened in Fall 2023. The College will reach 300 faculty members this year. For more information about our college initiatives, please visit http://eng.ufl.edu. The University and College are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent by valuing diversity of thought, skill, and experience. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe in fostering environments where team members feel included, valued for their differences, and empowered to do their best work.
Expected Salary:Salary to commensurate with education and experience.
Minimum Requirements:PhD in Engineering or Computer Science, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications:Preferred Qualifications:
Outstanding record of excellence in research and teaching to merit appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.Ideal applicants should possess a strong background in one or more of the following areas:
Exceptional leadership skills: Inspire and guide UFTI and its centers to work together and achieve goals. Strong decision-making and communications skills Create collaborative trans-disciplinary research environment. Strengthen partnerships with other Florida universities. Oversee and manage UFTI budget and resource allocation and personnel management. Experience leading large multi-investigator proposals or centers. Extensive industry network Experience in support of the workforce development part of the UFTI mission International leader in transportation as recognized by awards and honors. Special Instructions to Applicants:The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately with the first full committee screening occurring on January 31, 2025, and will continue to receive applications until the position is filled. You must apply by submitting an application through UFCareers via https://jobs.ufl.edu/ (Job 534284). The application consists of attached PDF files of the following required documents: The application consists of attached PDF files of the following required documents: 1. Cover letter (summary of qualifications) 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of no less than three and up to five references. Additional documents should be uploaded as one PDF to the “other documents” selection in the application. 4. Candidates should also prepare a UFTI vision statement and plan, with their individual research statement and identification of any current synergies of their research with UFTI. The anticipated start date for this position is Fall 2025. With some flexibility for a later start date based on individual needs. For further questions, please contact Dr. Kyle Riding at kyle.riding@essie.ufl.edu.
The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
If accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.
The University of Florida is committed to nondiscrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Health Assessment Required: No