Assistant Professor

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

paid sick leave

paid holidays

medical, dental, life and disability保险

retirement

deferred compensation, optionalsupple

deferred compensation, optionalretire

Job summary

Washington State University’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Pullman, WA. The successful candidate will lead interdisciplinary research teams, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and contribute to service within the department.

The typical workload comprises 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service, with salary in the 9-month range of $100,000–$115,000 USD commensurate with

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or related field by date of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals and secure external research funding.
• Proven teaching ability and experience in undergraduate and graduate instruction.
• Commitment to equitable and inclusive educational experiences aligned with WSU’s land‑grant mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead interdisciplinary research with substantial external funding.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate mechanical engineering courses.
• Contribute to service and departmental activities and curriculum development.

Skills

Teaching ability

Research program development

Communication skills

Equity & inclusion commitment

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering / Materials Science & Engineering or related field

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: January 31, 2027

Available Title(s) 270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor

Business Title Assistant Professor

Employee Type Faculty

Position Term 9 Month - Summer

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture (VCEA) at Washington State University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor rank in Pullman, WA. The successful candidate is expected to, in collaboration with the current faculty, play a leading role in building interdisciplinary teams with substantial external research funding in the respective area and be an effective instructor for undergraduate and graduate classes in mechanical engineering. The department seeks to build upon our core strengths and serve the needs of our state and region in the thermal-fluids research area, including, but not limited to, interfacial transport phenomena, waste thermal energy recovery, multiphase flows and phase-change heat transfer, reacting flows in extreme environments, packaging and data center thermal management. Applicants must show a record of accomplishments that demonstrates their potential to become outstanding scholars and educators, build a robust research program, and embody excellent communication skills. The typical workload for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position within MME is 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time (100% FTE), 9-month, tenure-track faculty position. This position is not eligible for overtime.

Screening date: First consideration will be provided to applications submitted before November 1, 2026. Review of applications will remain ongoing until the posting close date of January 31, 2027.

9-month Academic Salary: $100,000 - $115,000 USD | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

Benefits:

• paid sick leave
• paid holidays
• medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• retirement
• deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• Completed Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a related field by date of hire.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to building a world-class research program at WSU through publication of peer-reviewed research in leading journals and conferences, with potential to secure external research funding.
• Proven or potential for successful teaching and instruction.
• Demonstrated record of or potential for commitment to equitable and inclusive educational experiences and service in alignment with WSU’s land grant mission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated record of accomplishments to become outstanding scholars and educators.
• Excellent communication skills to be an effective instructor for undergraduate and graduate classes in mechanical engineering or materials science and engineering.
• Demonstrated record or potential to become a national leader in the field of research.
• Strong commitment to build a robust research program through extramural funding.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: May be eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus - learn more about the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Area/College: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Department Name: School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Location: Pullman Campus - Pullman, WA

• A cover letter addressing qualifications for this position as well as a response to the following prompt: "As a land-grant university, our university has a continuing commitment to ensuring equitable and meaningful inclusion in our classrooms, collaborations, and research excellence. Please explain how your research and teaching interests align with our mission."
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement (3 pages maximum) describing the applicant’s research accomplishments and future research plans
• Teaching statement (2 pages maximum) describing the applicant’s teaching experience, philosophy, and interests
• Name, addresses, and contact information of at least four references who can address your history of and potential for excellence in research, teaching, and service (letters will be requested at a later time).

Contact: Inquiries should be directed to Professor Jacob Leachman, [e-mail].

About WSU, Pullman, VCEA, And MME

Washington State University, a land-grant, multiple-campus Research 1 institution. This position will serve on the Pullman campus, which has an enrollment of around 20,000 students and is located in southeastern Washington on the homelands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe and Palus people. Located 80 miles south of metropolitan Spokane, Pullman is also a quick drive away from the scenic Idaho panhandle and Moscow Mountain. The rolling hills of the Palouse offer a wide range of activities and a true four-season climate. The area provides ample opportunity to enjoy the cultural and academic hub of both Washington State University and the University of Idaho, in the neighboring town of Moscow, Idaho. With a population of 34,000, Pullman is a quintessential college town ranked #1 in the "Best Cities to Live in Washington" by the Washington State Chamber of Commerce 2019 report; and recognized by Bloomberg Businessweek as the "Best Place to Raise Kids" in Washington state. For more information about the region, please refer to https://pullmanchamber.com.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the