Assistant/Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Physical AI

Job Summary

Purdue University has launched a new major initiative, Purdue Computes, consisting of three dimensions (Computing, Physical Artificial Intelligence, and Semiconductors) that will connect faculty and students from across the institution and enable the university to advance to the forefront with unparalleled excellence at scale. As part of this initiative, the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University invites applications for a tenure-track/tenured Assistant/Associate Professor. Purdue University seeks to attract exceptional candidates with interests and expertise in Physical AI, especially candidates tackling challenges in Robotics, Autonomy, and Computer Vision pertinent to Physical AI. Successful candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline by the employment start. Early-career applicants should show evidence of initiating independent research, while mid-career applicants should demonstrate a sustained record of independent research within academic or industrial organizations, and contributions to education and/or mentoring. The successful candidate will conduct original research, advise graduate students, teach undergraduate and graduate level courses, and perform service at the School, College, and University levels.

School and College

The Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering is the largest academic unit at Purdue University and one of the largest in the nation with more than 120 faculty members (6 NAE members, more than 40 Fellows in multiple societies), 2,200 undergraduate students (sophomores-seniors) and 1,500 graduate students. ECE is one of the homes of the Institute for Control, Optimization and Networks (ICON), the NSF Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NSF NCN, nanoHUB), and the SRC/DARPA Center for Brain Inspired Computing Enabling (C-BRIC). ECE faculty lead the Birck Nanotechnology Center and various research areas under two NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs). ECE’s undergraduate programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering are ranked 10th and 9th, respectively. Its graduate programs are both ranked 9th, and its online MS in ECE is ranked 1st in the nation. 

Faculty in ECE collaborate closely with industry, and the talent at Purdue ECE has been a major factor in attracting industry to the local area including companies such as Saab Inc., Rolls-Royce, and GE Aviation. SK Hynix recently announced plans to build a ~$4 billion facility for advanced packaging fabrication and research & development in West Lafayette.

The School is an integral part of Purdue’s College of Engineering. Purdue Engineering is one of the largest and top-ranked engineering colleges in the nation and renowned for top-notch faculty, students, unique research facilities, and a culture of collegiality and persistent pursuit of pre-eminence. According to the latest US News and World Report’s disciplinary undergraduate program rankings, Purdue Engineering has 4 disciplines ranked in the top 4 in the country and 9 in the top 10. Purdue Engineering as a whole is ranked 2nd for online graduate engineering programs, 5th for graduate programs. For three years running, Purdue is ranked by the USPTO as one of the top five university campuses in the US in terms of annual number of US patents issued, and 71% of those patents come from Purdue Engineering. The College Vision for 2030 is guiding strategic growth in new directions, by investing in people, exciting initiatives, and facilities.

Application Process

To apply, please submit an application to this site: https://careers.purdue.edu/job/AssistantAssociate-Professor-of-Electrical-and-Computer-Engineering-Physical-AI/39321-en_US/, including (1) cover letter, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) teaching plan, (4) research plan, and (5) names and contact information for at least 4 references. The search committee may contact references to request letters. For information/questions regarding applications contact the Office of Academic Affairs, College of Engineering, at coeacademicaffairs@purdue.edu. Review of applications will begin on 11/24/2025 and will continue until the position is filled. A background check is required for employment in this position.

Purdue and the College of Engineering have a Concierge Program that provides dual career assistance and relocation services.