Professor of Practice

MSU Jobs•Starkville, MS

15h

About The Position

The Department of Technology, Leadership, & Design at Mississippi State University invites applications for one non-tenure track, nine-month faculty position, under the administrative supervision of the head of the department. A Professor of Practice in Industrial Technology is a professional and a scholar with a strong interest in teaching, supervising undergraduate students, and providing service to the department. In addition to the general Professor of Practice expectations (teaching, mentoring, service, and industry engagement), the faculty member will: Teach undergraduate courses in Industrial Technology, with a focus on applied topics such as welding, fluid power, manufacturing, metrology, and safety. Assist in coordinating and mentoring senior projects, including industry-sponsored and multidisciplinary projects. Develop and deliver hands-on, project-based learning experiences that prepare students for real-world industrial technology roles, emphasizing professional practice, teamwork, communication, and ethical responsibility. Support student organizations and competition teams through mentorship, technical guidance, and project oversight. Engage with industry partners to create opportunities for experiential learning, guest lectures, capstone sponsorship, and student internships or co-op placements. Contribute to curriculum development in areas related to design, manufacturing, workplace communication, and professional practice. Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities, including committees, outreach, and recruitment events. Assist in assessment and accreditation efforts, including documentation and continuous improvement of ATMAE-aligned learning outcomes. Promote a culture of safety and professionalism in lab-based courses and team environments, ensuring students adhere to best practices in industrial technology processes. Remain current with industry trends and tools, integrating relevant software, hardware, and practices into instructional content to ensure workforce readiness.

Requirements

Earned master’s degree in Industrial Technology or its equivalent in professional achievement with at least 18 graduate hours in a relevant discipline.
Three or more years of industry, government, or applied research experience in applied industrial technology fields.
Strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of students.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience in one or more of the following areas: o Welding technologies (GMAW, SMAW, FCAW, GTAW, cutting processes, welding codes) o Industrial fluid power systems (hydraulics/pneumatics) o CAD/CAM, CNC machining, automated manufacturing systems o Industrial metrology, precision measurement, quality systems o Safety program administration and OSHA regulatory compliance
Teaching experience in higher education, technical training, or industry based professional development.
Experience managing or operating welding labs, machine shops, or industrial safety environments.
Professional certifications such as AWS, OSHA 30/510, fluid power certification, or manufacturing/industry credentials.
Demonstrated success collaborating with industry partners on workforce, instructional, or applied research initiatives.

Responsibilities

Teach a variety of undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Industrial Technology.
Engage in routine departmental, college, and university service functions and committees, as requested.
Advise undergraduate students and organizations.
Participate in required scholarly activities as part of the College’s accreditation standards.
Develop and deliver experiential learning opportunities and industry-aligned curricula.
Collaborate with faculty and staff on workforce development, outreach, and industry engagement efforts.
Contribute to grant writing, proposal development, and externally funded projects, particularly those tied to applied practice.
Serve as a liaison between the university and industry/government partners to promote collaboration and innovation.
Mentor students on professional development, internships, career readiness, and capstone or applied research projects.
Engage in other related duties, as assigned.
Teach undergraduate courses in Industrial Technology, with a focus on applied topics such as welding, fluid power, manufacturing, metrology, and safety.
Assist in coordinating and mentoring senior projects, including industry-sponsored and multidisciplinary projects.
Develop and deliver hands-on, project-based learning experiences that prepare students for real-world industrial technology roles, emphasizing professional practice, teamwork, communication, and ethical responsibility.
Support student organizations and competition teams through mentorship, technical guidance, and project oversight.
Engage with industry partners to create opportunities for experiential learning, guest lectures, capstone sponsorship, and student internships or co-op placements.
Contribute to curriculum development in areas related to design, manufacturing, workplace communication, and professional practice.
Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities, including committees, outreach, and recruitment events.
Assist in assessment and accreditation efforts, including documentation and continuous improvement of ATMAE-aligned learning outcomes.
Promote a culture of safety and professionalism in lab-based courses and team environments, ensuring students adhere to best practices in industrial technology processes.
Remain current with industry trends and tools, integrating relevant software, hardware, and practices into instructional content to ensure workforce readiness.