Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor of Mechanical Engineering

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

University of Missouri–St. Louis invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure track faculty position in Mechanical Engineering at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor or Associate Teaching Professor, beginning as early as January 2027.

The role focuses on undergraduate teaching, student mentorship, and laboratory/instructional development within a growing program. The appointment is 9 months with potential for summer teaching and on-site duties.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience teaching mechanical engineering courses.
• Preferred: industry, applied research, or project-based experience to enhance undergraduate instruction.

Responsibilities

• Teach and support undergraduate learning through high-quality courses and labs.
• Develop and enhance curriculum to promote student engagement and applied learning.
• Support instructional laboratories, including setup and operation of new teaching labs.
• Provide program service through coordinating laboratories and advising student organizations.
• Advise undergraduate students to support degree progress and success.
• Support recruitment and retention efforts via outreach and student initiatives.
• Model professional and ethical standards in teaching, mentoring, service, and engagement.

Skills

Teaching experience

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Hiring Department

School of Engineering at the University of Missouri–St. Louis

Job Description

The School of Engineering at the University of Missouri–St. Louisinvites applications for a full-time, non-tenure track facultyposition in Mechanical Engineering at the rank ofAssistant Teaching Professor or Associate TeachingProfessor, beginning as early as January 2027 .

We are seeking a dedicated educator passionate about undergraduateteaching and student success to help build and strengthen a growingmechanical engineering program. This role offers the opportunity toteach across the undergraduate curriculum, mentor students, supportlaboratory and experiential learning, and contribute to programdevelopment in a dynamic public urban research university—preparingthe next generation of engineers.

This teaching-focused role carries a standard teaching load of theequivalent of eight three-credit hour courses per academic year,along with moderate service responsibilities. Summer teaching maybe available for additional compensation. The position does notcurrently include research expectations; however, opportunities may be available to mentor undergraduate research or studentprojects.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach and support undergraduate learning by deliveringhigh-quality mechanical engineering courses and laboratorysessions.
• Develop and enhance curriculum to promote studentengagement, applied learning, and continuous improvement.
• Support instructional laboratory development by assistingwith the establishment, configuration, and operation of newengineering teaching laboratories.
• Provide program service through activities such ascoordinating laboratories, supporting student competitions,advising student organizations, and contributing to programgrowth.
• Advise undergraduate students as they navigate theiracademic journey by providing academic advising activities thatsupport student success and timely degree completion.
• Support recruitment and retention efforts by participatingin outreach, enrollment, and targeted student successinitiatives.
• Model professional and ethical standards in teaching,mentoring, service, and engagement with the broader academiccommunity.

Areas of Teaching Interest

A preference will be given to candidates with prior teachingexperience in the areas listed below, as well as experience withABET accreditation and other applicable experiences.

• Thermodynamics
• Fluid mechanics
• Heat transfer
• Applied thermodynamics
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Thermal/fluids laboratories

Candidates should also be prepared to teach courses outside ofthermofluids, which may include:

• Mechanical Engineering 3D Design
• Statics
• Dynamics
• Mechanics of materials
• Introductory laboratory-based engineering courses
• Other as assigned

Additional Information

• Position is a 9-month appointment with opportunities for summerteaching for extra compensation. Initial rank of Assistant orAssociate Teaching Professor will be based on the successfulcandidate’s teaching experience, professional accomplishments, andother criteria applicable for faculty appointment.
• Position is on-site.
• References will be requested for finalists.
• Candidate must be authorized to work in the United States. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for this position foret employment visas or work authorization document.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with teaching mechanical engineeringcourses.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant industry, professional engineering, applied research,laboratory, or project-based experience that enhance undergraduateinstruction and career readiness.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success through mentoring,inclusive pedagogy, and experiential learning.
• Ability to effectively teach undergraduate engineering coursesand laboratories, including thermofluids.
• Experience developing, coordinating, or leading engineeringlaboratories, design projects, senior design experiences, studentcompetitions, or other applied learning environments.
• Potential for leadership in areas such as laboratorycoordination, student organization advising, or programinitiatives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to support program growth,recruitment, retention, student success, and externalpartnerships.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Commensurate with education and experience.

About the School of Engineering

The School of Engineering at the University of Missouri–St. Louisprovides rigorous, relevant, and affordable engineering educationto a diverse and talented student population while addressing theevolving need for engineers and supporting the economic growth ofthe region, state, and beyond. The School offers Bachelor ofScience degree programs in mechanical, electrical, and civilengineering.

The School is committed to accessibility and flexibility, ensuringthat students can pursue their educational goals in ways that meettheir needs. The School will soon be housed in newly renovatedspace in Stadler Hall, with a 20,000-square-foot renovation fundedthrough a $15 million grant from the State of Missouri and expectedto be completed in Spring 2027. The School admitted its firstcohort of undergraduate students in Fall 2025.

About UMSL and the St. Louis Region

Established in 1963 and having just celebrated its 60thanniversary, the University of Missouri–St. Louis is the region’spremier public university in eastern Missouri and comes with astoried history. UMSL is a metropolitan, public research andteaching institution consistently recognized for its strongacademic programs across disciplines and is considered a primarydriver of the St. Louis economy. Supported by nearly 700 facultyacross nine schools and colleges, UMSL offers an array of degreeoptions including doctoral and graduate degree programs, numerousbachelor and certificate programs, and is home to the onlyprofessional optometry school in Missouri.

With an ambitious goal to become the nation’s premier metropolitanpublic research university, UMSL is a Tier 1 public researchinstitution that prides itself on creating greater access to highereducation and is an institution on the move. In three years, theuniversity has risen 69 spots in the U.S. News & World Reportrankings and now is now ranked No. 107 among all publicuniversities in the nation. UMSL scored even higher on the 2023list of “Top Performers on Social Mobility” and ranks No. 1 inMissouri and No. 75 nationally, an improvement of 25 places fromlast year’s rankings.

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,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, 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 email the Office of HumanResources at [e-mail].