Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering - Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center

The California State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive faculty benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in San Jose is looking for an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering. This role involves teaching, research collaboration in wildfire science, and developing curricula. Candidates should have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and be capable of educating diverse student populations. Competitive salary range is between $102,000 and $126,000. The position starts in July 2026, and applicants are encouraged to share their inclusive education experiences.

Qualifications

• PhD should be obtained by the appointment time.
• Capability to teach thermo-fluids courses at undergrad and grad levels.
• Sensitivity toward a diverse student population.

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in mechanical engineering.
• Conduct research and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate with the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center.
• Advise undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Participate in university committees for governance.
• Utilize the Canvas LMS for organizing classes.

Skills

Ability to teach and develop courses

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Awareness of diverse educational goals

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering or relevant field

Job description

Overview

Position Rank and Title: Assistant Professor

School/Department Name: Mechanical Engineering, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $102k - $126k

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date: July 20th, 2026

Application Deadline: January 15th, 2026

Position Description

The Mechanical Engineering Department at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for assistant professor (tenure track) beginning in July 2026. We are seeking candidates with a strong academic background in mechanical engineering and wildfire science. A key aspect of this position is that the faculty member will actively collaborate with the SJSU Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC, https://www.sjsu.edu/wildfire/, a National Science Foundation, Industry-University Cooperative Research Center) to seek funding and conduct research related to wildfire science and management. The center is dedicated to developing strategies/technologies and science-based policies to manage wildfires and to better understand how wildfires will impact people and resources in the future. Specific areas of research interest include, but are not limited to: numerical modeling/CFD reactive flow; wildfire dynamics; wildland-urban interface fire spread; AI/ML for predictive/modeling/risk management; and combustion dynamics of wildland and urban fuels.

Providing high quality education is a top priority for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In addition to teaching engineering courses, faculty members in the department are expected to develop curricula and laboratories, and should plan to establish an independent research program via externally funded projects and peer-reviewed publications. Faculty members advise undergraduate and postgraduate students through project supervision and academic planning. They also serve on committees and task forces under shared governance to improve policies and resources to enhance education.

The Mechanical Engineering Department, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering, and San José State University value inclusive excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or relevant field by the time of the appointment
• Ability to teach & develop courses in the thermo-fluids area for Mechanical Engineering students at both undergrad and graduate levels
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Strong track records of publication.
• Experience and/or demonstrated interest in teaching and pedagogical methods.
• Experience/exposure to the funding acquisition process.
• Demonstrated interest in establishing industrial partnership in the Silicon Valley area.
• Project supervision experience with undergraduate or masters level students.
• Interdisciplinary project experience in a collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• The candidate will teach graduate and undergraduate courses in mechanical engineering and other areas consistent with their professional interests. The instructional responsibilities also include preparation of classes, assessment of course learning outcomes, and development of pedagogical improvements.
• The candidate will conduct research in their area of expertise, publish results in reputable peer-reviewed journals, generate grants, and supervise student research.
• The candidate will actively work with other faculty at SJSU Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center to seek funding and conduct research related to wildfire science and management.
• The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• letter of interest (2 pages max)
• curriculum vitae
• SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines (dedicated statement or addressed in letter of interest, 2 pages max)
• statement of teaching interests/philosophy (2 pages max)
• research plans (2 pages max)
• Minimum of three references with contact information

Inquiries may be directed to the Department Chair or Search Committee Chair: Dr. Hohyun Lee ( [e-mail] ).

Conditions and Compliance

Conditional Offer: The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Equal Employment and Security

San José State University Equal Employment Statement: San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Campus Security and Fire Safety: The Annual Security Report (ASR) and the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) are available at the links provided by SJSU. The ASR contains security policies, emergency information, and crime statistics. The AFSR contains fire safety information for on-campus housing facilities. Paper copies are available upon request.