Professional Development and Accommodations

Consulting and Summer Salary

Engineering faculty have unique skills and lifestyles that often result in work outside of academia. So, we offer unique opportunities for you to pursue your career in many directions. All faculty have the opportunity to secure three months of summer salary to pursue their research passions and consult for up to 20% of their time with pay throughout the school year. 

Endowed Support for Professors

Cockrell and its departments offer generous endowment support available to faculty, including fellowships, professorships and endowed chair positions to support your research endeavors. Approximately 75% of the Cockrell faculty hold one of these endowed positions. Ask your department chair for more information. 

Additional Support for Your Students

The Cockrell School offers four-year, $6,000 per year, topping fellowships for Ph.D. students fully supported by research or teaching assistantships. 

Faculty Development Leave

Tenured faculty who have been at UT for at least six years are eligible for leave to enhance their research and scholarship. Faculty Development Leave can be repeated every six years. 

Mentoring

The Cockrell School is committed to mentoring new faculty through launch committees. Your home department will connect you with faculty members who have relevant experience and who will meet regularly to guide you as you settle into your new position. This process also helps you solidify community with fellow faculty members and navigate this large university’s many benefits. 

Modified Instructional Duties

When personal circumstances prevent you from being able to perform your classroom teaching duties, you may be eligible for a semester of Modified Instructional Duties. Under this policy, full-time faculty members may take a semester off from teaching while focusing on other academic and research responsibilities. 

Promotion Timeline Flexibility for Tenure-Track Faculty

Life sometimes takes a turn to keep you from achieving normal productivity levels during your tenure-track probationary period. Fortunately, you can apply for a probationary period extension. You can also count up to three years of service in an equivalent position at another institution to shorten your probationary period. 

Travel Grants

We encourage you to explore and expand your real-world expertise. The Cockrell School offers travel grants for engineering faculty, awarding up to $1,400 annually per person to support their travel to conferences to present their research results.