Open-Rank Tenured/Tenure-Track Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering – Robotics and Autonomous Systems
About The Position
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University invites applications for an open-rank, tenured or tenure-track faculty position in robotics and autonomous systems, beginning in Fall 2027. The position is part of an interdisciplinary cluster hire affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Institute of National Security, which sponsors research in areas including AI resilience and cyber defense and connects faculty and students with leaders across the military, government, and industry. The successful candidate will advance the fundamentals of robotics and autonomy and apply this work to challenges in national security and defense. Areas of interest include aerial, underwater, and ground-based autonomous vehicles, as well as wearable robotics for human performance augmentation. The candidate’s expertise should complement and strengthen departmental research in dynamics and control, robotics, thermofluid sciences, materials, and manufacturing. They should bring a strong theoretical foundation and a clear vision for applying fundamental mechanical engineering principles to problems of national consequence. The candidate is expected to develop a strong externally funded research program and pursue excellence in scholarship and teaching. They should be capable of teaching one or more core mechanical engineering courses and contributing to the expansion of graduate-level offerings. Applicants with experimental or computational research expertise are encouraged to apply. Experience applying AI and machine-learning tools in research and incorporating these technologies into teaching is a significant advantage.
Requirements
- An established research program and a strong track record of securing external funding.
- A strong theoretical foundation and a clear vision for applying fundamental mechanical engineering principles to problems of national consequence.
- Expertise that complements and strengthens departmental strengths in dynamics and control, robotics, thermofluid sciences, materials, and manufacturing.
- Ability to teach one or more core mechanical engineering courses and contribute to graduate-level offerings.
Nice To Haves
- Experience applying AI and machine-learning tools in research.
- Experience incorporating AI and machine-learning technologies into teaching.
- Expertise in experimental or computational research.
- Research interests in aerial, underwater, or ground-based autonomous vehicles, or wearable robotics for human performance augmentation.
Responsibilities
- Advance fundamental research in robotics and autonomous systems with applications to national security and defense.
- Develop a strong externally funded research program.
- Pursue excellence in scholarship and teaching.
- Teach one or more core mechanical engineering courses.
- Contribute to the expansion of graduate-level course offerings.
- Help shape the Vanderbilt University Institute of National Security’s growing interdisciplinary enterprise.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
