Critical Infrastructure & Cyber-AI Security
This theme focuses on protecting and strengthening the physical and digital systems that underpin modern society. This theme spans hardware and critical infrastructure resilience, leveraging AI, digital twins, and sensing to build secure and adaptive infrastructure; cyber-AI security, and safety, which addresses securing embodied AI/robotics, critical infrastructure systems, critical industrial control systems, security infrastructures and cryptographic techniques for AI systems; and advanced manufacturing for future semiconductor and energy materials, aligned with CHIPS-Act priorities.
Anchored in Boston, the theme builds on cross-college collaboration among COE (College of Engineering), Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Mills (Mills College at Northeastern), CSSH (College of Social Sciences and Humanities), CAMD (College of Arts, Media and Design), COS (College of Science), and Law (School of Law), together with Northeastern’s interdisciplinary ecosystem. It builds on the Kostas Research Institute (KRI), CHEST (Center for Hardware and Embedded Systems Security and Trust), SENTRY (Soft Target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat Reality), DIBI (Defense Industrial Base Institute), and the Center for Advanced Materials for Resiliency (CAMR), connecting cryptography, AI, physical infrastructure resilience, cyber-AI security, and advanced manufacturing to safeguard the systems the nation depends on against natural disasters and both conventional and emerging (including quantum-era) threats.
About the opportunity: Advanced manufacturing for future semiconductor materials and energy storage systems
Northeastern University invites applications for a tenured/tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level in the broad area of advanced manufacturing for future semiconductor materials and energy storage systems, aligned with CHIPS-Act priorities in semiconductors, battery and energy-storage research under critical infrastructure.
Appointments will be primarily or fully in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) within Northeastern University’s College of Engineering, with opportunities for joint cross-college appointments with the College of Science. The position will be based primarily on Northeastern University’s Boston campus, providing an exceptional environment for interdisciplinary research, education, and collaboration across engineering, science, industry, and government.
We are seeking outstanding faculty candidates with research interests and expertise in any of a set of broadly defined areas relevant to advanced manufacturing for future semiconductor materials and energy storage systems, which include but are not limited to:
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Advanced semiconductor materials processing
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Nanoscale and scalable manufacturing of semiconductor or energy materials
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Thermal interface materials for advanced packaging
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Heterogeneous integration of semiconductors
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Scalable synthesis of battery active materials
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Emerging solid-state battery materials
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Energy harvesting and conversion materials
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Polymers for electronic and energy system applications
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AI-driven discovery and manufacturing of energy storage materials
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Dry‑processing, solvent‑free electrode manufacturing
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In‑situ / operando manufacturing metrology, process‑monitoring, and quality control
Our tenure and promotion process values collaborative research and teamwork. Hires will be mentored for success, with mentoring teams and group guidance. In addition, a strong and effective faculty development strategy is part of the Northeastern institutional mission. The ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development office works in conjunction with the Office of Research Development (ORD), the Office of Belonging, the Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research (CATLR), and University Decision Support (UDS) to provide programs and trainings to further develop and support a thriving faculty.