Research Assistant Prof. in Artificial Intelligence for Semiconductor & Robotic Engr. (2 Positions)

Company Description

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a Carnegie R1 institution located at the U.S.-Mexico border, in the vibrant city of El Paso, Texas. UTEP is recognized nationally for its commitment to access, excellence, and impact, particularly as one of the largest Hispanic-serving universities in the United States. With an enrollment of nearly 25,000 students, 85% of whom are Hispanic and many of whom are first-generation college students, UTEP is dedicated to providing a transformative education.

UTEP offers 171 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, fostering innovation and intellectual growth across its nine colleges and schools. The university's unique location in the border region provides distinctive research and academic opportunities, with special strengths in areas such as bilingual education, Hispanic health disparities, environmental sustainability, and international trade. UTEP faculty members have earned more than $130 million in annual research expenditures, contributing to the university's growing reputation as a leader in public value research.

El Paso's cultural diversity and geographical position make it an ideal location for collaboration and engagement in binational research and community partnerships. The city enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, a low cost of living, and offers a range of outdoor activities and cultural events, contributing to an outstanding quality of life for its residents.

About the Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Department

The Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering (IMSE) at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) https://www.utep.edu/engineering/imse/ is a dynamic department within the College of Engineering. The department offers one undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering(B.S.I.S.E), three master's programs: Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (M.S.I.E), Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering (M.S.Mfg.E), and Master of Science in Systems Engineering (M.S.S.E), and a graduate certificate in Systems Engineering (G.C.S.E). The Master of Science in Systems Engineering (M.S.S.E) is available in-person or fully online. The department has an enrollment of more than 160 undergraduate and over 120 graduate students. The IMSE faculty is actively involved in sponsored research, with annual expenditures exceeding $2.5 million. Research activities are conducted in multiple research laboratories at the Department and research centers in the College and the University.

Job Description

The Department of Industrial, Manufacturing & Systems Engineering (IMSE) at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for two non-tenure-track Research Assistant Professors in AI for Semiconductor Manufacturing and/or AI Robotics. Focus areas include: yield/defect causal analysis and XAI; process-variation monitoring and root-cause analysis; intelligent scheduling/dispatching for WIP/throughput (multi-objective, real-time) and supply-chain optimization; PdM and RUL with health monitoring; digital twins/smart factories, cross-site transfer and federated/edge learning; uncertainty estimation and calibration (e.g., conformal prediction, risk-aware decisions); and robotics for fabs?AMR planning/tasking, robotic vision & multimodal perception, wafer/FOUP/tool handling, and RL/Sim2Real.

The successful candidate will join a growing and dynamic department, contributing to research and service in alignment with UTEP's mission as an R1 institution and a Hispanic-serving university.

Responsibilities

• Research: Lead and collaborate on topics in yield and defect causal analysis, intelligent scheduling & multi-objective optimization (real-time dispatching under dynamic constraints), Virtual Metrology (VM), predictive maintenance (PdM) & remaining useful life (RUL), digital twins / smart manufacturing, and uncertainty calibration & trustworthy AI (e.g., conformal prediction).
• AI Robotics in Fabs: Apply perception, planning, and control to cleanroom logistics (AMR/AGV), vision-based inspection, equipment upkeep, and safe human-robot collaboration.
• Funding & Industry: Co-lead or lead proposals (NSF/DOE/DoD, state, industry); execute PoCs and tech transfer with foundries, equipment/materials/metrology vendors.
• Data & Platforms: Establish robust data governance and MLOps pipelines; develop reusable algorithms and prototype systems (including robotics perception/planning stacks).
• Mentoring: Supervise MS/PhD students; co-author high-impact publications.
• Service: Support program development, workshops/symposia, and departmental needs (including ABET support as appropriate).

Requirements

A Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering or related fields, including Industrial, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science. Commitment to undergraduate and graduate education. Demonstrated expertise in machine learning/deep learning and software development (Python; PyTorch/TensorFlow). Peer-reviewed publications and strong scientific writing skills; ability to draft competitive research proposals. Demonstrated potential for establishing an extramurally funded research program. Excellent communication skills. Preferred Qualifications (one or more):

• AI Robotics: ROS/ROS2, Python, perception (CV/multimodal), motion/task planning, control & safety, simulation (Gazebo/Isaac Sim), and edge deployment.
• Semiconductor manufacturing experience (front-/back-end, metrology/inspection, equipment maintenance, yield-improvement projects).
• Digital twin, IIoT, MLOps, real-time data streaming, edge computing.
• Causal/XAI, Bayesian methods, reinforcement learning, multi-objective optimization (mathematical programming, heuristics/meta-heuristics).
• Proven success as PI/co-PI or primary writer on large proposals (e.g., NSF/DOE/DoD/state/industry), and/or prior experience writing/executing Other Country NSTC/MOST grants or similar programs.
• Experience in course design, supervising students, and leading hands-on projects.

Additional Information

Hiring decisions are based on budget approval.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at [email protected], or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at [email protected].

To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit the following: 1) a letter of interest describing their interest in the position and their commitment to the IMSE Department and UTEP mission; 2) a detailed curriculum vita; 3) name and complete contact information of at least three references; 4) research statement (up to 3 pages); 5) mentorship statement (up to 3 pages); 6) unofficial transcripts; and 7) copies of the candidate's two most representative publications.

The mentoring statement should highlight their experiences and their vision for supporting student success and mentoring students. This statement should also suggest how they, as member of the UTEP IMSE faculty, will contribute to UTEP's mission of access to excellent higher education. UTEP hires and invests in faculty who value our culture of care and our students' success.

Review of applications will start on January 5, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. For information/inquiries regarding the position, please email: [email protected] and [email protected].