Assistant Professor, (TT)

University of Akron•Akron, OH

About The Position

The University of Akron’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor. The department has 28 full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty, 6 non-tenure-track faculty, and 5 technical and administrative staff members, and serves more than 1,300 students. It offers ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Systems Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering Technology, as well as a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Engineering. Department strengths include SAE design teams, senior capstone design projects, and cooperative education. The department and college host or co-host several research centers and institutes. The successful candidate will teach mechanical and aerospace systems engineering courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, develop specialized courses, direct and supervise student research, and contribute to departmental, college, and university service. Startup funds are available to recruit students and establish an active research program. Applicants should demonstrate active research in the stated areas and an interest in directing student research. The department encourages applications in advanced materials, including materials for power and battery applications, high-entropy materials, critical minerals, microplastics solutions, multiscale materials modeling, quantum systems for sensing and other applications, and materials for nuclear fission and fusion. Applicants must submit a detailed research statement explaining their research plans and expected funding sources. Preference will be given to candidates with potential to develop an independent, externally funded research program, collaborate with industry and government agencies, and establish research collaborations with faculty in the department and college. Research that integrates with or complements existing college research-center activities will receive favorable consideration. The position is subject to Collective Bargaining Agreement requirements.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field by the time of employment.
Evidence of active research in the stated areas and interest in directing student research.
Submit a detailed Research Statement explaining research plans and expected sources of funding.
Submit a CV, Cover Letter, Teaching Statement, Philosophy Statement, and References.

Nice To Haves

Potential to collaborate with industry and government agencies, such as NSF, DOE, and DOD.
Ability to establish research collaborations with faculty in the department and college.
Strong potential to develop an independent, externally funded research program.
Research that integrates with or complements activities in the College’s research centers.
Research interests in advanced materials, including materials for power and battery applications, high-entropy materials, critical minerals, microplastics solutions, multiscale materials modeling, quantum systems for sensing and other applications, or materials for nuclear fission and fusion.

Responsibilities

Teach mechanical and aerospace systems engineering courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Develop new specialized courses.
Direct student research and supervise graduate research.
Establish an active research program.
Work collaboratively with diverse populations.
Contribute to departmental, college, and university service.