Jobs
Work together. Create smart machines. Serve society.
About Michigan Robotics
The University of Michigan Robotics Department creates the next generation of robotics and roboticists for the benefit of society. Operating out of the new world-class Ford Motor Company Robotics Building, the Department is one of the first free-standing robotics departments among leading engineering schools. Growing out of a successful Robotics Institute, the Department was established in 2022 to offer Bachelor's degrees in addition to Master's and PhD degrees (since 2014), with the goal of defining the discipline of Robotics.
Michigan Robotics pursues fundamental research across core areas of sensing, reasoning, acting, and interacting with humans. Roboticists from the Department join colleagues across the College of Engineering, Medical School, School of Information, School of Kinesiology, College of Architecture & Urban Planning, and School of Art & Design to work on robot learning and foundational models, perception and computer vision, manipulation and grasping, and motion planning and control. Faculty also study human-robot interaction and teaming, the design and soft robotics that give machines their physical form, and the safe autonomy that keeps these systems reliable in the real world. Michigan Robotics comprises 24 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, with more than 180 undergraduate students and over 250 graduate students, and is supported by an annual research budget of approximately $15 million dollars (FY2026).
Our department is distinguished by its core values: robotics with respect, enthusiasm for outreach, and integrity in action. We ensure our designs and robots treat human interactions respectfully, inspire future students through outreach to change the world, and report both our successes and failures to show true progress in the field.
The University of Michigan is one of the world’s leading research universities, with $2.16B in research expenditures (2025). Consistently ranked among the top research universities by USNews and NSF, it has 19 schools and colleges, the University is rich with opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary inquiry. We are located in Ann Arbor, MI, which is ranked the #1 Best Small College Town in America by WalletHub (2025), #2 City with the Best Public Schools in America by Niche.com (2021), and #1 Best Places to Live for Families by Fortune (2022).
Our Values
Learn more about Michigan Robotics' commitment to integrity, enthusiasm, respect, and our shared principles that guide our community.
U-M Facts
Explore key statistics and data about the University of Michigan's research impact, student body, faculty achievements, and more.
Living in Ann Arbor
Discover what makes Ann Arbor one of the best college towns in America, from its vibrant downtown to its excellent schools and high quality of life.
Current openings
Robotics Department Chair
The Robotics Department at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair. The Chair will provide visionary leadership for one of the first free-standing robotics departments among leading engineering schools, guiding its continued growth in research, education, and community impact.
The successful candidate for Department Chair will be a leading world-class scholar with a distinguished track record in robotics and related disciplines. The candidate should not only possess an exemplary record of achievement in research, teaching, leadership, and service at a level commensurate with the appointment as a tenured full professor, but also command a vision for the future of the Robotics discipline. This vision should leverage and build on the strengths of our existing department and programs at the University of Michigan, leading them into an increasingly commanding position in the multidisciplinary field of Robotics.
Key attributes of successful candidates include:
- Demonstrated leadership experience at the candidate's home institution as well as nationally and internationally.
- Proven communication, management, and interpersonal skills.
- A strong research track record demonstrated through publications, national and international collaborations, grants, and fundraising.
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching and curriculum development in Robotics.
- Significant experience in bridging from the academic lab to serving society.
- A Ph.D. in robotics, computer science, or other engineering discipline.
Applications are due November 15, 2026.
Professor/Associate Professor in Human-Centered Embodied Artificial Intelligence
The Robotics Department in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor invites applications for one senior (tenure-track or tenured) faculty position in Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, offered through the University of Michigan Faculty Expansion Program. The successful candidate will join our mission to accelerate advances in robotics for the benefit of society. Candidates will have a relevant doctorate or equivalent experience and an outstanding record of achievement and impactful research in academia, industry, and/or at national laboratories. They will have a strong record of commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to providing service to the university and to the profession.
Rank is commensurate with experience, from promotion-ready assistant professor through full professor. We seek an outstanding scholar whose work advances the theory and practice of AI-driven embodied systems that collaborate with humans in physical environments.
This position is a cornerstone of a broader university initiative in Human-Centered and Human-Embodied AI (HCAI). It will reside in the Robotics Department, with the intention of strengthening synergies with the School of Information and the potential to seed a future multi-unit research center. The position supports the University's Vision 2034 strategic priorities, which emphasize impactful research in health, education, sustainability, and human-centered technology.
An ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated record of expertise and scholarship deeply connected to leading robotics and AI research, student engagement and experiential learning, and the values of the Robotics Department. Research contributions are expected to focus on developing responsible embodied AI systems for seamless human collaboration in physical environments, in areas including AI alignment, human-robot interaction, foundational models, collaborative robotics, multimodal interaction, AR/VR interfaces, and cognitive models of human-AI joint action. A successful candidate will be expected to develop a vigorous, externally funded research program in human-centered and human-embodied AI.
Application review will begin on November 1, 2026 and will continue on a rolling basis. All applications submitted by December 15, 2026 will receive full consideration.
Questions
For faculty hiring, please contact the faculty search committee. For all other questions, please contact us.
University postings
Faculty and staff positions in the Robotics Department are also posted on the University of Michigan careers site.
U-M EEO statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.