The Opportunity  

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure earning, Professor of Practice position, with an expected start date of December 23, 2026. 

We seek seasoned practitioners in the area of Electric Machines and Magnetism. This position presents an exceptional opportunity for a "scholar-practitioner" to leverage their extensive high-level academic and industrial experience, including leadership in the design and manufacturing of energy-converting systems, to modernize our engineering curriculum. The primary focus of this role is the education and professional development of our students, translating complex theoretical concepts into practical, industry-ready skills. 

The successful candidate will utilize their vast professional network to bridge the gap between academic instruction and current engineering practices. Given the scale of our programs, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future workforce by developing hands-on laboratory experiences and teaching core courses in electromechanical dynamics and circuit analysis. Research is also a component of the role, with an emphasis on fostering collaborative projects with departmental faculty and external experts, fueled by the candidate's practical background in analysis-led design and manufacturing. 

We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated a distinguished record of technical leadership, as evidenced by a history of managing major projects. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to high-quality teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, using their years of practical experience to provide students with a deep understanding of the real-world challenges in advanced power systems and applied electromagnetics. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below at the time of application: 

• A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. 

• At least 10 years of professional experience with design, development, integration, testing, and operation of energy conversion machines and systems. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Prior experience in teaching, mentoring, or curriculum development at the university level. 

• Prior experience in the development and management of funded research projects as the Principal Investigator (PI). 

Additional Application Materials Required:  

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:  

• A curriculum vitae.  

• A letter of interest describing qualifications for the position, such as research agenda and teaching experience/interest. 

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later. 

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.  

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Dr. Kalpathy Sundaram, at kalpathy.sundaram@ucf.edu. 

Special Instructions to the Applicants: 

On March 10, 2026, UCF received clarification that the current State moratorium on H1B visas applies not only to new sponsorships but also to H1B transfers into the institution. This means we are unable to process transfers for individuals currently holding H1B status with other employers. UCF will share updates as soon as State guidance changes or additional details become available.  

Job Close Date: 

Open until filled. 

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position. 

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?  

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck. 

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers: 

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.   

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.  

• Retirement savings options.   

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.   

• Education assistance.  

• Flexible work environment.   

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here. 

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins. 

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions: 

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela. 

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.