Assistant/Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University's Department of Mechanical Engineering in Houston, Texas invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position in solid mechanics and related areas. The start date is July 1, 2027, with appointments at Assistant or Associate Professor level based on qualifications.

The role emphasizes building a robust research program and contributing to Rice's interdisciplinary mission. Candidates should advance the science of solids, structures, materials, and mechanical systems,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering by time of appointment.
• Strong research potential in solid mechanics, materials, or related areas.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Responsibilities

• Establish or sustain an externally funded research program with national and international recognition.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with expertise.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers; contribute to service and collaborations.

Skills

Solid mechanics

Computational mechanics

Mechanics of materials

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Assistant/Associate Professor of MechanicalEngineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rice University

https://mech.rice.edu/

https://engineering.rice.edu/

Position Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University inHouston, Texas, invites applications for a tenure-track or tenuredfaculty position in solid mechanics and related areas. Theappointment may be made at the Assistant Professor or AssociateProfessor level, commensurate with the candidate’s qualificationsand experience, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.This position is part of the department’s continued investment infoundational and emerging areas of mechanical engineering andoffers opportunities to contribute to its growth while developingcollaborations across Rice and the broader scientific andengineering communities.

We seek candidates whose research advances the science andengineering of solids, structures, materials, and mechanicalsystems. Areas of interest include but are not limited to solidmechanics; mechanics of materials; computational mechanics;structural mechanics; multiscale modeling and simulation;experimental mechanics; fracture, damage, and failure;manufacturing and mechanics-informed design; soft and bio-inspiredmaterials; biomechanics; and data-driven or AI-enabled approachsto mechanics and materials. Exceptional candidates whose researchexpands the frontiers of mechanics in other areas are alsoencouraged to apply.

Rice seeks faculty who embrace a culture of excellence, innovation,collaboration, and inclusive mentorship. Excellence in research andteaching will be the primary criteria for evaluation.

Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be expected to establish or maintain avigorous, externally funded research program with national andinternational recognition; conduct innovative research anddisseminate results through high-impact publications, conferences,and other scholarly activities; and teach undergraduate andgraduate courses aligned with their expertise. Additionalresponsibilities include advising and mentoring undergraduate,graduate, and postdoctoral researchers; contributing todepartmental, school, university, and professional service; andfostering interdisciplinary collaborations within Rice and withexternal partners. The successful candidate will demonstrate astrong commitment to excellence in teaching, advising, andmentoring students from a broad range of backgrounds andexperiences and will contribute to the continued strength ofundergraduate and graduate education across the department and theGeorge R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. Rice’s highlycollaborative environment provides opportunities to engage withresearchers in materials science, computational science, energy,advanced manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and otherdisciplines.

We welcome the fullness of diversity at Rice. Qualifiedapplicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion,age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnicorigin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteranstatus. In our candidate pools, we seek to increase therepresentation of women, scholars of color, people withdisabilities, veterans, and others who have historically beenunderrepresented in mechanical engineering; attract scholars andstudents from a wide range of countries, backgrounds, andexperiences; accelerate progress toward building a faculty andstaff community with diverse perspectives and expertise; andmaintain an environment that fosters interaction, understandingand belonging throughout our community.

About the Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of nine academicdepartments in the George R. Brown School of Engineering andComputing. The department includes 18 tenure-stream faculty andfour teaching faculty with research and educational strengths spanning solid and fluid mechanics, materials, thermal sciences,controls, robotics, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering,design, and computational methods.

The department and school are undergoing a period of strategicgrowth, creating opportunities for collaboration across RiceUniversity and with Houston's energy, healthcare, advancedmanufacturing, and technology sectors. Rice's interdisciplinaryenvironment provides strong opportunities for impactful researchand innovation across traditional disciplinary boundaries.

About the George R. Brown School of Engineering andComputing

Rice University's George R. Brown School of Engineering andComputing is a nationally recognized leader in engineering researchand education. The school prepares future leaders through rigoroustechnical training, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation,and entrepreneurship.

About Rice University

Rice University is a private, top-tier research university locatedin Houston's Museum District, adjacent to the Texas Medical Center.Rice enrolls approximately 5,200 undergraduate students and 4,800graduate students across eight schools. The university isconsistently ranked among the nation's leading universities and isrecognized for excellence in both research and undergraduateeducation.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closelyrelated field by the time of appointment.

Candidates will demonstrate excellence in research and scholarshipappropriate to rank; a commitment to excellence in undergraduateand graduate teaching; the potential to establish or sustain ahighly impactful, externally funded research program; and acommitment to mentoring students and contributing to acollaborative academic community. For appointment at the AssociateProfessor rank, candidates should have a distinguished record ofscholarly achievement, sustained external funding, and growingnational or international recognition in their field.

Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer withcommitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employmentqualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age,sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnicorigin, genetic information, disability or protected veteranstatus.

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University