Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley•Edinburg, TX

54d

About The Position

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a dynamic, externally funded research program that addresses key challenges in thermal science. Successful candidates will contribute to one of more of the research centers in the College of Engineering & Computer Science and in particular to The Center for Aerospace Research. Responsibilities will include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical engineering, mentoring students, and contributing to curriculum development in areas relevant to thermal science. The candidate will also support the master's program in mechanical engineering and contribute to the PhD program in material science and engineering. The position offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, including partnerships within the department and across other research centers. The candidate will be encouraged to engage with industry partners, contribute to the university's mission of community engagement. For priority consideration, applications must be received by December 31, 2025. Applications will continue to be reviewed until positions are filled. A complete application will include the following required documents: Curriculum Vitae, Unofficial Transcripts, List of 3 References, Letter of Interest, Research Statement, and Teaching Philosophy. About UTRGV: UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service. Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website. College Background: The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) hosts an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in materials science and engineering, and a Ph.D. program in computer science with interdisciplinary applications. The research centers in the college include the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Cyber Systems (CAMICS), the Center for Nanotechnology, the Center for Aerospace Research, Industrial Assessment Center, the NSF Center for Multidisciplinary Research Excellence in Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Systems (MECIS), and the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS). For further information regarding the College, please visit our websites at http://www.utrgv.edu/cecs/. Department Background: The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UTRGV has an enrollment of almost 1400 undergraduate and 100+ graduate students. The Department offers an ABET- accredited Bachelor of Science, Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, and along with the college, a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering as well as a PhD degree in Material Science & Engineering. For further information regarding UTRGV and the Mechanical Engineering Department, please visit our websites at http://www.utrgv.edu/mece/.

Requirements

Applicants must have an earned Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field from an accredited university (at least conferred before the start date of September 1, 2026).
evidence of high-quality research in thermal science
strong potential for securing external funding and supporting graduate students
experience and/or demonstrated ability in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical engineering
candidates are expected to contribute to the master's program in mechanical engineering and the PhD program in material science and engineering

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated potential or experience in pursuing external research funding in areas related to thermal science
a strong foundation in publishing scholarly work, with contributions in reputable journals or conferences
experience with or a strong aptitude for using advanced computational tools, AI, or machine learning techniques to address engineering challenges
interest or initial experience in interdisciplinary collaboration, with a willingness to engage in partnerships across academia, research centers, or industry
Commitment to teaching excellence, with experience as a teaching assistant, instructor, or mentor to undergraduate or graduate students
enthusiasm for curriculum development in areas related to thermal sciences, energy systems, AI, or computational modeling