Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System
About The Position
The College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a tenure-system faculty position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME). We encourage applications for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor and will consider exceptional candidates for appointment at the rank of Associate or (Full) Professor. Candidates must have an earned PhD in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a sustainable, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program; contribute significantly to their discipline through scholarly work; demonstrate effective teaching and mentorship of both undergraduate and graduate students; and participate in institutional and professional service. Candidates are encouraged to discuss how their research could have an impact and complement the department's existing strengths. All areas of Mechanical Engineering will be considered, with particular interest in: Artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced/autonomous advanced manufacturing, Process engineering, design and optimization assisted by AI, and Smart materials and medical devices/systems. Preference will be given to candidates who can develop a sustainable, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program; contribute significantly to their discipline through scholarly work; demonstrate effective teaching and mentorship of both undergraduate and graduate students; and participate in institutional and professional service. Candidates are encouraged to discuss how their research could impact and complement the strengths within the department. Other qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and an ability to work in a collaborative research environment. Joint appointments with other engineering departments are possible, considering existing strengths and capabilities and the candidate’s preferences. Successful candidates will be appointed to an academic-year position in the tenure system, with tenure, if appropriate. Successful candidates are expected to elevate MSU's reputation through their professional activities. This is a union position represented by the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF). The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement. At Michigan State University’s College of Engineering, we believe that education and innovation are strongest when built on mutual respect. Guided by MSU’s land-grant mission, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge, expanding access to education, and creating solutions that serve the common good. We are committed to a community where each person is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive—engineering with respect, innovating with purpose, building with trust, and growing through resilience. Learn more about our Community of Respect and Innovation.
Requirements
- Earned PhD in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment.
- Potential for high-quality instruction and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Demonstrated ability and/or potential to provide service to the Department, the University, and the profession, and to work with students and faculty from a variety of backgrounds.
- For Assistant Professor candidates: strong potential for high-quality research likely to result in top-level publications and national recognition.
- For Associate/Full Professor candidates: an established national reputation for original and influential research, with demonstrable evidence of continued growth in national status.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated leadership ability, with strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to build effective working relationships across diverse teams.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to varied audiences.
- Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
- Areas of particular interest include: Artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced/autonomous advanced manufacturing, Process engineering, design and optimization assisted by AI, and Smart materials and medical devices/systems.
Responsibilities
- Develop a sustainable, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program.
- Contribute significantly to their discipline through scholarly work.
- Demonstrate effective teaching and mentorship of both undergraduate and graduate students.
- Participate in institutional and professional service.
- Elevate MSU's reputation through their professional activities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
