Open Rank Non-Tenure Track Faculty Position

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in Houston invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Lecturer or Assistant Teaching Professor, with an anticipated start date Jan 1, 2027 or Jul 1, 2027. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank appropriate to qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities include teaching Engineering Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Design, Experimental Mechanics, and laboratory courses, mentoring students, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field by start date, or Master’s with substantial teaching/lab/industry experience.
• Experience teaching undergraduate courses and supervising capstone design projects is preferred.
• Strong commitment to student mentorship and inclusive teaching practices.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in Engineering Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Design, and Experimental Mechanics.
• Lead and coordinate laboratory sessions and capstone design experiences.
• Mentor students, contribute to curriculum development, and support accreditation processes.

Skills

Solid mechanics

Mechanics of materials

Mechanical design

Experimental methods

Project-based learning

Student mentoring

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related

Master's + significant teaching/design experience

Tools

Laboratory instruction

Modern engineering tools

Instrumentation & data acquisition

Job description

Open Rank Non-Tenure Track Position in MechanicalEngineering

https://mech.rice.edu/

Position Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University,located in Houston, Texas, invites applications for a full-time,non-tenure-track teaching position at the rank of Lecturer orAssistant Teaching Professor, with an anticipated start date ofJanuary 1, 2027, or July 1, 2027. The successful candidate will beappointed at the rank appropriate to their qualifications andexperience. The initial appointment will be for a one-year term at the Lecturer rank or a two- to three-year term at the AssistantTeaching Professor rank, and may be renewed contingent uponperformance and departmental needs.

We seek a dedicated educator with expertise in solid mechanics,mechanics of materials, mechanical design, experimental methods,and project-based learning. The successful candidate willcontribute to the department’s undergraduate educational missionthrough classroom instruction, laboratory teaching, studentmentoring, and curricular development.

Responsibilities

• Engineering Mechanics (Statues)
• Mechanics of Materials
• Mechanical Design and Machine Elements
• Experimental Mechanics
• Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Courses
• Senior Capstone Design

The successful candidate may also contribute to other undergraduatecourses aligned with their expertise.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering values hands-on,project-based learning that integrates engineering fundamentalswith modern engineering practice. Candidates should be enthusiasticabout engaging students in laboratory experimentation, engineeringdesign, prototyping, testing, and open-ended problem-solving.Experience developing laboratory curricula, supervisingdesign-build projects, mentoring student competition teams, orcoordinating capstone design experiences is particularlydesirable.

In addition to teaching, faculty in this position contribute to thedepartment’s educational mission through activities such asundergraduate advising, curriculum development, accreditationsupport, laboratory coordination, and departmental service.

About the Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering combines high educationalstandards with research distinction and service to the community.Its faculty and students work at the forefront of developingtechnologies and solutions across mechanics, design, robotics,advanced manufacturing, energy systems, and related fields.

The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in acollaborative environment that emphasizes innovation, discovery,experiential learning, and student success.

About the George R. Brown School of Engineering andComputing

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing at RiceUniversity comprises nine academic departments and more than 20engineering-related centers and institutes. Its teaching andresearch benefit from Rice’s collaborative environment andHouston’s strengths in energy, health care, medical research, spaceexploration, and technology.

About Rice University

Rice University is a private research university located inHouston, Texas. Rice provides a collaborative academic environmentthat supports excellence in teaching, research, mentorship, andinterdisciplinary engagement.

Applicants must possess one of the following by the start date ofthe appointment:

• A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field;or
• A master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely relatedfield together with significant relevant teaching, design,laboratory, or industrial experience.

Appointment at the Assistant Teaching Professor rank requires aPhD. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.Candidates with a Ph.D. may be considered for appointment at eitherrank.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Undergraduate teaching experience.
• Expertise in solid mechanics, mechanics of materials, mechanicaldesign, or experimental mechanics.
• Experience with laboratory instruction and experimentalmeasurement techniques.
• Experience supervising design projects, maker activities, orcapstone design teams.
• Familiarity with modern engineering tools, instrumentation, anddata acquisition systems.
• A demonstrated commitment to student mentorship andsuccess.

Industrial experience in product development, manufacturing,testing and validation, aerospace, energy, robotics, medicaldevices, or related engineering fields is highly valued.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer withcommitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employmentqualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age,sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnicorigin, genetic information, disability or protected veteranstatus.

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