Assistant Professor of Practice

University of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mississippi invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice in Product Realization in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This position emphasizes connecting design, materials, manufacturing processes, and testing with real-world product realization, transforming concepts into products.

The successful candidate will develop and deliver innovative undergraduate courses and labs that bridge design intent and manufacturability, covering fundamental and advanced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or closely related field are required.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in aerospace, automotive, or related manufacturing industries with focus on manufacturing processes and process control.
• Proven experience in teaching or mentoring in academic or professional settings; excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum Development and Instruction: Develop and teach courses in Product Realization with modern and digitally enabled engineering design and fabrication technologies.
• Experiential Learning and Mentorship: Oversee hands-on labs and design-build projects; mentor students; provide industry-sponsored opportunities.
• Industry and Academic Collaboration: Build partnerships with regional and national companies for internships, co-ops, and collaborative projects.

Skills

Industry Experience

Teaching and Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field

Job description

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Job Summary

Performs duties in instruction, including the teaching of practicalskills and demonstrating best professional. Not eligible fortenure.

Job Description

The University of Mississippi invites applications for an AssistantProfessor of Practice in Product Realization in theDepartment of Mechanical Engineering. This position reflects theuniversity’s growing emphasis on connecting design, materials,manufacturing processes, and testing with real-world productrealization, transforming concepts into products.

The successful candidate will develop and deliver innovativeundergraduate courses and labs that bridge the gap between designintent and manufacturability. Instruction will cover the principlesand applications of fundamental and advanced fabricatingmethods, including machining, casting, molding, thermoforming,sheet metal forming, additive manufacturing, digital fabrication,prototyping, and process control. Developed courses will beaccessible to students within the School of Engineering.

Preference will be given to candidates with significant industryexperience in aerospace, automotive, energy, or relatedadvanced manufacturing sectors. Candidates should demonstrate anability to translate professional expertise into hands-onlearning environments that prepare graduates for leadershiproles in modern engineering firms. Candidates should also befamiliar with industry applications of artificial intelligence andsmart manufacturing, such as data-driven process monitoring andcontrol, predictive maintenance, machine vision for qualityinspection, and digital twins, and be able to bring these practicesinto the classroom and lab.

Join the Ole Miss Family — Build Your Legacy Here!

Job Responsibilities

• Curriculum Development and Instruction: Develop and teach courses in Product Realization with an emphasison modern and digitally enabled engineering design and fabricationtechnologies, including:
• Introduction to Product Realization:Design-for-manufacture, prototyping, material selection, toleranceand quality considerations, sustainability.
• Fundamentals of Manufacturing: core processes includingmachining, casting, molding, forming, joining, and additivemanufacturing, taught through the lens of process selection,design, and cost/rate/quality trade-offs.
• Digital Fabrication and Automation: Industry 4.0concepts, connected machines and sensors (IIoT), robotics andautomation, and digital twins of products and processes.
• AI and Data-Driven Process Control: statistical processcontrol and quality systems extended with machine learning forprocess monitoring, predictive maintenance, machine visioninspection, and data-driven decision-making on the factoryfloor.
• Experiential Learning and Mentorship:
  • Develop and oversee hands-on labs and design-build projectsthat reinforce course concepts and emphasize iterative design,testing and validation, systems-level thinking, and data-drivendecision-making.
  • Mentor students in product realization pathways.
  • Provide students with real-world project opportunities throughindustry-sponsored collaborations.
• Industry and Academic Collaboration:
  • Build partnerships with regional and national companies toprovide internships, co-ops, and collaborative projects.
  • Incorporate guest lectures, case studies, and applied researchopportunities with industry partners.
  • Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration with the Center forManufacturing Excellence and others.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field are required.
• Industry Experience:
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience in the aerospace, automotive, or related manufacturing industries with a focus on manufacturing processes and process control is required.
• Teaching and Mentoring:
  • Proven experience in teaching or mentoring in academic or professional settings.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with a multidisciplinary engineering student body.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with engineering design and product development programs.
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary teaching approaches integrating engineering and business practices.
• Industry experience applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, or advanced production technologies (e.g., Industry 4.0, connected sensors and IIoT, automation, digital twins) to production environments.

Education Qualifications

Master's (Required)

Experience

Related Experience

Interview Requirement

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.