Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering - Wildfire Science and Engineering
About The Position
The Mechanical Engineering Department at San José State University is seeking an assistant professor (tenure-track) with expertise in wildfire science research and teaching potential in thermo-fluids, beginning August 2027. Candidates should have a strong engineering, computational, or physical-science background with research directly addressing wildfire or fire science and engineering problems. A key aspect of this position involves active collaboration with the SJSU Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC), a National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Center, to seek funding and conduct research related to wildfire science and management. WIRC focuses on developing strategies, technologies, and science-based approaches to improve wildfire science and management. Specific research interests include fire and fluid dynamics, coupled fire-atmosphere modeling, wildfire behavior and spread, wildland-urban interface fire, combustion and heat transfer in wildland and urban fuels, computational fluid dynamics and multiphysics modeling, high-performance scientific computing, data assimilation, scientific machine learning and AI applied to wildfire prediction, smoke and fire-atmosphere interactions, and experimental or observational approaches supporting wildfire model development and validation. The successful candidate will establish an independent research program that complements and expands WIRC's capabilities, leveraging its interdisciplinary expertise, infrastructure, and external partnerships. Located in Silicon Valley, SJSU Mechanical Engineering offers strong programs supported by hands-on laboratories and interdisciplinary research, with opportunities for faculty to develop industry partnerships and pursue applied research. SJSU values institutional excellence and is committed to advancing equity, serving a diverse student population including historically underserved students, and aspiring to create inclusive learning environments. Applicants are invited to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence.
Requirements
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering or closely related engineering, computational, or physical-science discipline by the time of appointment.
- Ability to teach & develop courses in the thermo-fluids area for Mechanical Engineering students at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Demonstrated research experience directly relevant to wildfire or fire science and engineering.
- Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.
Nice To Haves
- Strong track record of publication.
- Experience and/or demonstrated interest in teaching and pedagogical methods.
- Experience/exposure to the funding acquisition process.
- Demonstrated interest in establishing industrial partnership in the Silicon Valley area.
- Project supervision experience with undergraduate or masters level students.
- Interdisciplinary project experience in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities
- Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in mechanical engineering and other areas consistent with their professional interests, including preparation of classes, assessment of course learning outcomes, and development of pedagogical improvements.
- Conduct research in their area of expertise, publish results in reputable peer-reviewed journals, generate grants, and supervise student research.
- Actively work with other faculty at SJSU Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center to seek funding and conduct research related to wildfire science and management.
- Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
- Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
- Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.
Benefits
- Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule.
- Competitive faculty employee benefits for the higher education sector, as detailed in the CSU Employee Benefits Summary.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
