Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor of Mechanical Engineering

University of Missouri-Saint Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision plans

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Parental leave

Caregiver leave

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Engineering seeks a full-time, non-tenure track Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor in Mechanical Engineering.

The role focuses on undergraduate teaching, mentoring, and lab development, with a typical eight-course annual load and potential summer teaching for extra compensation. Responsibilities include delivering courses, developing curricula, coordinating laboratories, advising students, and contributing to program growth.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with teaching mechanical engineering courses.

Responsibilities

• Teach and support undergraduate learning by delivering high-quality mechanical engineering courses and laboratory sessions.
• Develop and enhance curriculum to promote student engagement, applied learning, and continuous improvement.
• Support instructional laboratory development by assisting with the establishment, configuration, and operation of new engineering teaching laboratories.
• Provide program service through activities such as coordinating laboratories, supporting student competitions, advising student organizations, and contributing to program growth.
• Advise undergraduate students to support degree completion and academic success.
• Support recruitment and retention efforts through outreach and student-success initiatives.
• Model professional and ethical standards in teaching, mentoring, service, and engagement with the broader academic community.

Skills

Teaching experience

Curriculum development

ABET assessment

Student advising

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Full-Time

Location: St. Louis

Job ID: 60579

School of Engineering at the 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.

We are seeking a dedicated educator passionate about undergraduate teaching and student success to help build and strengthen a growing mechanical engineering program. This role offers the opportunity to teach across the undergraduate curriculum, mentor students, support laboratory and experiential learning, and contribute to program development in a dynamic public urban research university‑preparing the next generation of engineers.

This teaching‑focused role carries a standard teaching load of the equivalent of eight three‑credit hour courses per academic year, along with moderate service responsibilities. Summer teaching may be available for additional compensation. The position does not currently include research expectations; however, opportunities may be available to mentor undergraduate research or student projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach and support undergraduate learning by delivering high-quality mechanical engineering courses and laboratory sessions.
• Develop and enhance curriculum to promote student engagement, applied learning, and continuous improvement.
• Support instructional laboratory development by assisting with the establishment, configuration, and operation of new engineering teaching laboratories.
• Provide program service through activities such as coordinating laboratories, supporting student competitions, advising student organizations, and contributing to program growth.
• Advise undergraduate students as they navigate their academic journey by providing academic advising activities that support student success and timely degree completion.
• Support recruitment and retention efforts by participating in outreach, enrollment, and targeted student success initiatives.
• Model professional and ethical standards in teaching, mentoring, service, and engagement with the broader academic community.

Areas of Teaching Interest

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

Candidates should also be prepared to teach courses outside of thermofluids, 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 summer teaching for extra compensation. Initial rank of Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor will be based on the successful candidate's teaching experience, professional accomplishments, and other 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. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas or work authorization document.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

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

Anticipated Hiring Range

Commensurate with education and experience.

Application Materials

• Application materials include a cover letter and resume. Finalists will be asked to provide references at a later date.

Applicants should submit the following

• Cover letter describing interest in the position and alignment with UMSL's School of Engineering
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy, including evidence of teaching effectiveness and approach to inclusive, student‑centered pedagogy and ABET assessment.
• Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, with official transcripts required later in the hiring process

Sponsorship Information

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Other Information

About the School of Engineering

The School of Engineering at the University of Missouri‑St. Louis provides rigorous, relevant, and affordable engineering education to a diverse and talented student population while addressing the evolving need for engineers and supporting the economic growth of the region, state, and beyond. The School offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.

The School is committed to accessibility and flexibility, ensuring that students can pursue their educational goals in ways that meet their needs. The School will soon be housed in newly renovated space in Stadler Hall, with a 20,000‑square‑foot renovation funded through a $15 million grant from the State of Missouri and expected to be completed in Spring 2027. The School admitted its first cohort of undergraduate students in Fall 2025.

About UMSL and the St. Louis Region

Established in 1963 and having just celebrated its 60th anniversary, the University of Missouri‑St. Louis is the region's premier public university in eastern Missouri and comes with a storied history. UMSL is a metropolitan, public research and teaching institution consistently recognized for its strong academic programs across disciplines and is considered a primary driver of the St. Louis economy. Supported by nearly 700 faculty across nine schools and colleges, UMSL offers an array of degree options including doctoral and graduate degree programs, numerous bachelor and certificate programs, and is home to the only professional optometry school in Missouri.

With an ambitious goal to become the nation's premier metropolitan public research university, UMSL is a Tier 1 public research institution that prides itself on creating greater access to higher education and is an institution on the move. In three years, the university has risen 69 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings and now is now ranked No. 107 among all public universities in the nation. UMSL scored even higher on the 2023 list of "Top Performers on Social Mobility" and ranks No. 1 in Missouri and No. 75 nationally, an improvement of 25 places from last year's rankings.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits.

• medical
• dental and vision plans
• retirement
• paid time off
• short- and long-term disability
• paid parental leave
• paid caregiver leave
• educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses

For additional 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 email the Office of Human Resources at [e-mail].