Assistant Professor

The University of North Carolina; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science. The candidate will focus on solid mechanics and mechanics of materials, with opportunities to collaborate across the department and university.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field by time of appointment; commitment to

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in the teaching discipline or a closely related field by appointment time.
• Commitment to teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Plan for externally funded research program.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in MEES.
• Advise and mentor students; supervise capstone projects and theses.
• Develop an externally funded research program and publish in top journals.

Skills

Solid mechanics

Mechanics of materials

Research planning

Teaching

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Ph.D. in Materials Science

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• One-page letter of interest
• Research statement (up to three pages) detailing areas of expertise and research vision
• Teaching statement (up to two pages)
• Contact information for at least three references

Position Information

General Information

Position Number

Position Number 001837

Working Title

Classification Title

Classification Title 9-Mo Tenure-Track/ Tenured Faculty

College

College College of Engineering (Col)

Department

Department Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science

Position Designation

Position Designation Faculty

Employment Type

Employment Type Permanent - Full-time

Months per year

Months per year 9

Primary Purpose of Department

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science (MEES) is the largest department within the William States Lee College of Engineering, staffed by 54 full-time faculty members and 16 staff members who serve about 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. There are six active NSF CAREER awardees, and several faculty are recognized as Fellows of leading professional societies. The MEES department is internationally recognized for research programs in advanced manufacturing, precision metrology, battery research, motorsports/automotive engineering, control systems, computational mechanics, as well as emerging areas of research focus such as hypersonics and autonomous vehicles. The Department is home to the Center for Precision Metrology, the Center for Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Ceramics and the Battery Complexity, Autonomous Vehicle and Electrification Research Center. The Department has also recently launched a popular undergraduate concentration in Aerospace Engineering. The College of Engineering is home to the newly established NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas and is leading initiatives in several areas of strategic research focus for the university, including Advanced Manufacturing and Metrology, Transformational Energy, and Transportation and Advanced Mobility.

Vacancy Open to

Vacancy Open to All Candidates

Description of Work

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty should be interpreted in the context of the related departmental and collegiate goals. Teaching, Advising, Curriculum and Instructional Development – Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to teaching may include but are not limited to: subject matter competence, course design, course presentation, advising and consultation, directing student research, curriculum and instructional development, and grading student work. Scholarly Research, Creative, and Other Professional Activities – All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in expanding the knowledge base of their academic field by conducting research or engaging in other creative activities as appropriate to the faculty member’s discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to research may include but are not limited to: research/creative activity that generates new knowledge and/or synthesizes and/or integrates existing knowledge, publication, an on-going agenda for research, scholarly, and creative activity, and are expected to seek extramural support for their work. Service to University, the Public, and the Profession – All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to engage in a program of service appropriate to their discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to service may include but are not limited to: service to the administration and governance of the University, public service, and service to the profession. This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate’s or the university’s eligibility for federal funding. To view the complete Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty document visit our website: https://facultyhandbooks.charlotte.edu/full-time-faculty-handbook/

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is currently seeking exceptionally qualified candidates for a 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position with research expertise in solid mechanics and mechanics of materials, and an expected start date of August 2027. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Mechanics of materials in extreme environments
• Nonlinear, multiscale, and multiphysics mechanics
• Mechanics of advanced composites, architected and multifunctional materials, and adaptive structures
• Structural integrity, reliability, and predictive lifetime modeling.

Candidates working at the intersection of mechanics and emerging technologies are particularly encouraged to apply, including those developing scientific machine learning, quantum computing algorithms, advanced numerical methods, and full-field or in-situ experimental techniques. Relevant applications may include aerospace and hypersonic structures, energy systems, materials for nuclear and fusion technologies, and materials and structures subjected to extreme loading or environmental conditions.

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in one of the following areas: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Applicants should be committed to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

It is expected that the successful candidate will build strong collaborations with industry partners and national laboratories, publish in leading research journals, and establish a strong externally funded research program. Applicants should also be committed to supervising undergraduate capstone projects and graduate theses and dissertations. Priority will be given to candidates with strong research records, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, externally funded research, and a plan for future research that aligns with the university’s and department’s research focus in this area.

Necessary Licenses/Certifications

Special Notes to Applicants

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• One-page letter of interest
• Research statement (up to three pages) detailing areas of expertise and research vision
• Teaching statement (up to two pages)
• Contact information for at least three references

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 09/28/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Date Review of Applications will Begin

Date Review of Applications will Begin 11/11/2026

Proposed Hire Date

Proposed Hire Date 08/16/2027

If time-limited, please indicate appointment end date

Contact Information

9201 University City BlvdCharlotte, NC 28223