Assistant/Associate/Professor in Bionics

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah's Department of Mechanical Engineering invites applications for a tenured or tenure-track faculty position in Bionics, with an anticipated start date in Fall 2027. Candidates with exceptional backgrounds across diverse areas of bionics are strongly encouraged to apply.

Areas include upper-extremity bionics, neural interfaces, soft robotics, and neural decoding. The successful candidate will teach core undergraduate courses, develop graduate coursework, pursue extramural

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of high-quality research evidenced by publications.
• Strong potential (junior) or established record (senior) of securing extramural funding.
• Ability to teach core undergraduate engineering courses and develop new graduate coursework.

Responsibilities

• Teach core undergraduate engineering courses in Mechanical Engineering.
• Develop new specialized graduate coursework in bionics-related areas.
• Pursue extramural funding and contribute to strategic center initiatives.
• Collaborate with clinical partners within the School of Medicine and VA Center.

Skills

High-quality research publications

Extramural funding

Teaching core courses

Education

PhD or ScD in Engineering/Robotics

Job description

Assistant/Associate/Professor in Bionics

Details

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah(https://mech.utah.edu/) invites applications for a tenured or tenure-track faculty position in Bionics, with an anticipated start date in the Fall Semester 2027.

Candidates with exceptional backgrounds and experience across diverse areas of bionics are strongly encouraged to apply. Relevant areas of interest include: Upper-Extremity Bionics & Manipulation (with an emphasis on prosthetics and orthotics), Invasive Neural Interfaces & Sensory Restoration, Soft Robotics & Smart Materials (for assistance and rehabilitation), Computational Neuromechanics (with an emphasis on neural decoding), Bionic Reconstruction and Tissue-Machine Interfaces, Neuromuscular and Functional Electrical Stimulation (NMES/FES), Biohybrid Systems, and other new and emerging areas in Bionics. Although all areas of Bionics will be considered, preference will be given to individuals focused on collaborating with clinical partners within the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (such as the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, the University Orthopaedic Center, and the Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Plastics) and the nearby George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Candidates must have a demonstrated track record of high-quality research, as evidenced by highly regarded scholarly publications, and must exhibit strong potential (junior faculty) or established record (senior faculty) of securing extramural funding. Successful candidates will be expected to actively contribute to the College's growing research presence and strategic center-level initiatives in Bionics. Additionally, candidates are expected to teach core undergraduate engineering courses and develop new specialized graduate coursework in bionics-related areas. Applicants must hold an earned Ph.D. or Sc.D. in Engineering, Robotics, or a closely related field.

The University of Utah is a research-focused institution home to more than 35,000 students, world-class faculty, and a vibrant start‑up ecosystem. A unique advantage of the university is the co-location of the engineering and medical campuses, fostering seamless translational research. The Department of Mechanical Engineering has grown tremendously over the past decade, fueled by the State of Utah's Engineering Initiative, and now includes more than 45 tenure-line faculty members, over 1,500 undergraduate students, and 250 graduate students. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage with established interdisciplinary hubs like the Utah Robotics Center, the Interdepartmental Center for Neural Interfaces, the Neurotechnology Training Program, the Neuroscience Program, and the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. Joint appointments with the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine will be considered as appropriate for each candidate.

The University of Utah campus is situated in Salt Lake City, a growing, increasingly diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.2 million, nestled against the backdrop of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. The greater SLC valley is a major economic hub of the Mountain West and home to a rapidly expanding technology sector and numerous Fortune 500 companies. Residents benefit from a highly accessible, walkable downtown featuring vibrant restaurants, professional sports, nightlife, and cultural events. The region also offers unparalleled access to outdoor recreation, including eight national parks within a few hours' drive, world‑class skiing and snowboarding at seven resorts within an hour, and exceptional hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and rafting. In addition, faculty members receive free access to public transportation and the convenience of a major international airport located just 15 minutes from campus.

Department: 00068 - Mechanical Engineering

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Track: Tenure Track

Close Date: 01/15/2027

Open Until Filled: No

Requisition Number: PRN01594CF

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.