Term Assistant Professor of Aviation Technology

University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage, Aviation Technology Division is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) / Drone Faculty member to teach and develop coursework in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. The ideal candidate brings hands-on drone operations experience, strong knowledge of FAA Part 107 regulations, and a passion for student-centered teaching. This position offers the opportunity to shape a growing UAS program through classroom instruction, labs, and real-world flight training. Candidates who enjoy bridging technology, safety, and applied learning in an academic environment are encouraged to apply.

The UAS Faculty member is responsible for teaching, developing, and delivering undergraduate coursework in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, including remote pilot operations, safety, regulations, mission planning, data collection, and emerging drone technologies. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise with effective teaching practices to prepare students for careers in commercial, governmental, and research-based drone operations. This role may also support curriculum development, laboratory instruction, industry partnerships, student research, and program growth.

A strong candidate for the UAS / Drone faculty position brings a blend of technical expertise, operational experience, and student-centered teaching ability. They are proficient in operating multirotor and fixed-wing UAS platforms and possess a solid working knowledge of FAA Part 107 regulations, airspace, mission planning, weather interpretation, and risk assessment. They are comfortable conducting preflight and postflight inspections, troubleshooting and maintaining aircraft, and integrating sensor payloads such as RGB, thermal, multispectral, and LiDAR into real-world missions. Beyond flight operations, they have experience with photogrammetry, mapping, GIS, and basic data processing and visualization, allowing them to connect flight activities to meaningful analytical outcomes. Equally important, they understand safety management principles, operational documentation, and ethical considerations surrounding data collection and privacy. As an educator, they are able to clearly explain complex technical concepts, design engaging lessons and hands-on labs, assess student learning, and mentor students toward professional growth. They have a minimum of two years of experience working with complex web applications, database management systems, Excel, Word, calendaring, and email systems. They demonstrate strong organization, adaptability, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, and often bring experience from commercial UAS operations, research projects, or manned aviation backgrounds. Having experience with large drones (Predartor level) would be ideal.

Minimum Qualifications:

Baccalaureate Degree in Aviation Technology, Aviation Safety, Management, Education or an appropriate related discipline
OR
Associate Degree and three years of professional aviation experience
OR
FAA Commercial Certificate with Airplane and Instrument rating, Certificated Flight Instructor Certificate with Airplane Single- and Multi-engine Land, and Instrument rating.

FAA Part 107 certification
Experience in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations
Experience in curriculum development
Have an industry or research background in applications such as surveying, public safety, or logistics

Position Details:

This position is located on the Aviation Technology Complex at Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage, AK. This is a full-time, 9-month base, term-funded faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and https://www.alaska.edu/hr/benefits/support/prospectiveemployees.php. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, faculty time off (FTO), 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage.

Please attach the following to your application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Teaching
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

Review of applicants will begin immediately. To ensure full consideration, you must apply by March 3, 2026.

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Ishmael Cremer, Chief Flight Instructor, at mailto:iacremer@alaska.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

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 in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The http://www.alaska.edu/ (https://www.alaska.edu/alaska/index.php) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination (http://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 mailto:police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or mailto: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 mailto: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 mailto:uas.clery@alaska.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6933679

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