ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering #00098258

Missouri University of Science and Technology; Lecoma (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla invites outstanding applicants for tenure-track faculty positions at the assistant or associate professor rank in mechanical engineering. We welcome candidates across a broad range of research areas that complement the department's strengths and offer opportunities for collaboration.

Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. by appointment, a demonstrated ability to build externally funded research, and a record of effective teaching at

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Establish a strong externally funded research program.
• Demonstrate high-quality undergraduate and graduate teaching.

Skills

Research program development

Teaching excellence

Service to professional community

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field

Job description

Hiring Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

This is an exceptional moment to launch an academic career here. The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is thelargest department on campus, and each of its degree programs isthe largest and highest-ranked among public institutions inMissouri. The department has nearly tripled its researchexpenditures over the last four years and has a long-establishedrecord of research excellence, with five junior faculty havingreceived CAREER and DoD Young Investigator awards in the last tenyears. Several Ph.D. students have received prestigious fellowshipsfrom NASA, NSF, and DoD, and the department is also home to the Missouri Space Grant Consortium , a NASA-funded, statewideprogram supporting space-related research, fellowships, andoutreach.

Housed in a state-of-the-art 145,000-square-foot facility, thedepartment includes 28 internationally recognizedtenured/tenure-track faculty, 9 teaching faculty, 10 staff members,over 140 graduate students (including 80 Ph.D. students), over1,400 undergraduate students, and over 12,000 living alumni. We areequally proud of our many award-winning teachers and deeply valueexcellence in the classroom. We are looking for colleagues who areas energized by mentoring and teaching students in the classroomand laboratory as they are by advancing the frontiers of theirresearch field, and who will help us continue to prepare engineerswho are as strong in fundamentals and hands-on practice as they arein emerging computational and AI-enabled tools.

Job Description

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at MissouriUniversity of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in Rolla,Missouri invites outstanding applicants for tenure-track facultypositions at the assistant or associate professor rank inmechanical engineering. We welcome candidates across a broadrange of research areas that complement and expand the department’sstrengths in mechanical engineering. Areas of particular interestinclude, but are not limited to, autonomous and intelligentsystems, physical AI, thermal and energy sciences, and dynamics andcontrols. Relevant topics may include embodied and physicalAI, robotics and robot learning, human-robot and human-machinecollaboration, autonomous ground, aerial, and space systems,thermal management, energy conversion and storage, sustainableenergy systems, and nonlinear, optimal, and learning-based controlof cyber-physical systems. Excellent candidates in other fieldsrelevant to mechanical engineering are also encouraged toapply.

Qualifications

1. (a) establishing a strong, externally funded researchprogram
2. (b) high-quality, innovative teaching at theundergraduate and graduate levels
3. (c) service in theapplicant’s professional community and/or institution

Qualifiedcandidates will possess a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or aclosely related field by the time of appointment. Successfulapplicants will also demonstrate alignment with one or more ofMissouri S&T’s multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator researchcenters and programs, including the Intelligent Systems Center, the Center for Research in Energy andthe Environment, and the Kummer Center for AdvancedManufacturing — collaborative homes where new faculty quicklyfind co-investigators, graduate students, and sharedfacilities.

Application Materials

1. a cover letter
2. a current curriculum vitae
3. a research statement describing current work and future researchgoals (3 pages max.)
4. a teaching statement describing teachingexperience, interests, and philosophy (2 pages max.)
5. complete contact information for at least four references to Missouri S&T’s Human Resources Office at https://hr.mst.edu/careers/ using Reference Number 00098258

Acceptable electronic formatsare PDF and MS Word. We welcome conversations before you apply —prospective candidates with questions about the department, thepositions, or life in Rolla are encouraged to contact the SearchCommittee Chair, Dr. Dave Bayless, at [e-mail].

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin as they are received andwill continue until the positions are filled. For fullconsideration, please apply before October 15, 2026.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship may be available for candidatescurrently in the United States in H-1B status or otherwork-authorized status.

Community Information

University Information

Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading researchuniversities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. Itwas founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutionswest of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St.Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is anaccessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks'scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees inengineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business,with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science andengineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty,Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population,yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility andimpactful careers.

College of Engineering & Computing (CEC)

Missouri S&T’s College of Engineering and Computing is thelargest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800graduate students). The college includes more than 170 rankedfaculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all withmaster’s and doctoral equivalents organized into nine academicdepartments. The college recently added a bachelor’s degree inbiomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering, both startingin fall 2024. Missouri S&T, supported by the College ofEngineering and Computing, is nationally recognized for its careeroutcomes and ROI.

About Rolla

Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that helpindividuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal placefor families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safeneighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable forall ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapesoffers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of everylifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events,concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout theyear. The university’s Leach Theatre showcases nationally renownedperformers for campus and community alike. Overall, living in Rollaoffers a high quality of life with a supportive community,affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerousopportunities for personal and professional growth.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. Foradditional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734.

Job Title ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering #00098258

Job ID 60880

Location Rolla

Department Mechanical & Aerospace Engin

Job Family Teaching & Research Faculty

Business Unit Missouri S & T

Posted Date 09/08/2026

Close Date Open Until Filled