Research Associate Professor of Marine Energy - Alaska Center for Energy and Power

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power invites applications for a faculty leadership position focused on marine renewable energy research and program development. This position provides strategic leadership for multidisciplinary research initiatives, fosters partnerships with industry, government agencies, communities, and academic institutions, and supports ACEP's mission of developing and deploying innovative energy solutions for Alaska and beyond. The successful candidate will contribute to research, teaching, mentorship, and service while expanding externally funded research opportunities.

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is seeking a collaborative and visionary leader to serve as the co-Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC). PMEC is a research consortium between UAF, the University of Washington (UW) and the Oregon State University (OSU) that was established in 2008 through competitive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It has since expanded to include over $50M in research funding and over $240M for testing and affiliated test facilities through support from the Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, state agencies, and private corporations. PMEC’s mission is to connect people to the power of the ocean by responsibly advancing marine energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students. This includes closing key gaps in scientific understanding, informing regulatory and policy decisions, and facilitating commercialization. At UAF, PMEC is a center within ACEP that includes multiple collaborators and students. PMEC works closely with a variety of stakeholders, including marine energy device developers, community members, ocean users, federal and state regulators, and government officials.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on Alaska's energy future and global energy solutions. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary research initiatives, develop partnerships with industry, government agencies, communities, and academic institutions, secure external funding, mentor students and researchers, and contribute to teaching and service. This position plays a key role in advancing ACEP's mission to develop practical energy solutions that benefit Alaska and communities worldwide. At UAF, PMEC’s research has a strong focus on applied research relevant to Alaska communities and that takes advantage of access to world class field-sites such as the Tanana River Test Site.  

The PMEC Co-Director at UAF will work with the other PMEC co-Directors at UW and OSU, and other ACEP research programs and initiatives to lead PMEC with a clear vision, work effectively with university faculty, administration, and a broad range of external stakeholders to stimulate interdisciplinary research and service. The UAF PMEC co-Director will need to communicate effectively with federal funding agencies and federal and state legislators and staff and have strong team-building skills. The co-Director will help maintain PMEC’s leadership status in marine energy research, development, and testing, continue to expand and diversify PMEC’s research capabilities and funding sources, and encourage marine energy industries to partner with PMEC.  The UAF PMEC co-Director reports to the ACEP Director.

To thrive in this role, successful candidates:

To thrive in this role, successful candidates will have a demonstrated record of securing competitive external funding, leading collaborative research programs, and building partnerships across academic, government, industry, and community sectors. They will possess strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills and be comfortable working with diverse stakeholders to advance research initiatives. Experience mentoring students and researchers, managing complex projects, and contributing to strategic planning efforts will be essential. Candidates should be passionate about developing energy solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities facing Alaska.

Application Instructions:

To be considered, please submit a cover letter, three references, a CV, a 2-page or less Research Statement, a 2-page or less Leadership Statement, and a 2-page or less Mentorship Statement.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a field relevant to marine renewable energy

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. This is a full-time, term, exempt, non-tenured track, research faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. The University of Alaska provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. 

Salary is based on education and experience. 

Application review will begin immediately. To ensure consideration, you must submit your application by 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on August 24, 2026.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Clover Erickson, ACEP HR Coordinator, at caerickson2@alaska.edu.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance with this application or at any stage of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage Campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River Campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance, and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.