Associate Professor Control Engineering

The Department of Engineering Science intends to appoint an Associate Professor of Engineering Science (Control Engineering) from 1st August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will work at the Department of Engineering Science (Central Oxford, OX1 3PJ) and will be offered a Non-Tutorial Fellowship at Jesus College under arrangements described in the Job Description. The combined salary will be on a scale currently from £58,265 p.a. to £77,645 per annum plus additional benefits (see the Job Description for full details). The appointment will be initially for five years at which point, upon completion of a successful review, the post-holder will be eligible for reappointment to the retiring age.

This appointment will strengthen the Department’s research in Control Engineering. The group’s current expertise includes, on the theory end, large-scale, embedded, robust and distributed optimisation, polynomial/sum of squares methods, and optimal, robust and model predictive control, as well as a wide range of applications spanning biology, battery/energy management systems, transportation, aerospace manufacturing systems, and agriculture. Candidates with research interests that align with or fall outside of the above areas are equally welcome.

The successful candidate will conduct original research in Control Engineering and its applications. They will hold a doctorate (or be close to completion) in Control Engineering or a similar field.  By “close to completion”, we mean that the thesis will have been submitted for examination at the time the application is made. Applications are sought from across the Control Engineering discipline, either being complementarity to existing activities, or bringing a new research dimension to the Control Group.

Applicants will have a proven research track record, evidenced by peer reviewed publications and collaborations, and relevant teaching experience. They will have the ability to teach effectively, both at undergraduate and graduate levels, and have excellent interpersonal skills for undertaking tutorial teaching.

The successful candidate will be expected to take part in the teaching of undergraduate courses in the Department of Engineering Science, which may include lectures, taught classes, practical laboratories, and the supervision of undergraduate design and project work. They will also be asked to undertake some pastoral duties in Jesus College, whether they will also be asked to serve on college committees, but will not be a Trustee of the college. They will also be expected to contribute to the department’s research portfolio in control engineering, obtaining external funding to enable development of a new and independent research program.

To make an application, you will need to submit a supporting statement, CV and research proposal in a combined PDF totaling no more than 6 pages. Please do not attach additional material as your application will not be considered if it is overlength. Further details on the requirements for each of these documents are in the job description.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Tuesday 6 January 2026. 

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender equality in academia. The University is a Living Wage Employer, holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, an HR Excellence in Research and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. 

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