Mechanical Engineering Tenure-Track Faculty Position

Penn State University•University Park, PA

66d•Onsite

About The Position

Penn State Behrend, invites applicants for two Mechanical Engineering tenure-track faculty positions starting in Spring 2025 or Fall 2026 at the rank of Assistant Professor. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be considered for higher rank, commensurate with experience. The selected candidate should be committed to excellence in undergraduate education, an active research program, and service to the university. Faculty at Penn State Behrend's School of Engineering benefit from strong institutional support for both undergraduate education and applied research. We encourage scholarship that aligns with our strengths in advanced manufacturing, materials and polymers, energy and sustainability, robotics and automation, and AI-enabled engineering design. Our faculty are particularly encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary collaborations and industry partnerships, leveraging Behrend's Open Lab model and state-of-the-art facilities. Looking ahead, construction will begin in 2026 on the new Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness (CMC), which will feature dedicated resources for metal casting, advanced polymer research, and battery testing. Research in these areas will be especially valued. The selected candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses and guide senior design projects in the area(s) of engineering and design, system dynamics, measurements and instrumentation, and fundamental computer programming. Other potential areas may include machine design, finite element analysis, and/or engineering mechanics. The successful candidate will be expected to work in a collaborative environment and a research program that integrates undergraduate student experiences. A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, is required by the appointment start date. Penn State Behrend (http://www.behrend.psu.edu) is a comprehensive four-year and residential college of Penn State in Erie, Pennsylvania. The college is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and outreach, and prides itself on the balance it achieves between teaching and research. Located on a beautiful, wooded hilltop campus, Penn State Behrend offers its 5,100 undergraduate and graduate students an inspiring and technologically-advanced environment characterized by close student/faculty interaction. The School of Engineering has over 1,800 students in our ABET accredited programs. Erie, a metropolitan area of 280,000, is located on Lake Erie's beautiful Presque Isle Bay. The region offers many cultural, sports, and recreational resources, including Pennsylvania's most popular state park. Erie County is a major industrial, medical, service, and tourism center, and is within a two-hour drive of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. Residents benefit from a rejuvenated Bayfront District while enjoying a modest cost of living and affordable housing. There are five colleges in the area. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please send a complete resume, a brief statement of research, a brief statement of teaching and the names of three references. Onsite teaching is an essential function of this job. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, is required by the appointment start date
onsite teaching is an essential function of this job

Responsibilities

teach undergraduate courses
guide senior design projects in the area(s) of engineering and design, system dynamics, measurements and instrumentation, and fundamental computer programming
work in a collaborative environment
maintain a research program that integrates undergraduate student experiences

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing.
In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans.
One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

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