Open Rank Non-Tenure Track Position in Mechanical Engineering

IMDiversity Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in Houston, Texas, invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track teaching position at the rank of Lecturer or Assistant Teaching Professor, starting Jan 1, 2027 or Jul 1, 2027. The role emphasizes undergraduate teaching, lab instruction, and curriculum development.

Responsibilities include courses in Engineering Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Design, and related lab coursework, with mentoring and design-build capstone

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering with relevant teaching/lab experience.
• Experience in undergraduate teaching and lab courses.
• Strong knowledge in solid mechanics, mechanics of materials, design, or experimental mechanics.
• Experience supervising capstone design projects.
• Familiarity with modern engineering tools and data acquisition.
• Commitment to student mentorship and success.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses such as Engineering Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, and Mechanical Design.
• Lead laboratory instruction and coordinate lab curricula.
• Mentor students and supervise capstone design teams.
• Contribute to curriculum development and accreditation support.
• Provide advising and department service.

Skills

Undergraduate teaching

Laboratory instruction

Curriculum development

Mentorship

Capstone design supervision

Project-based learning

Design-build projects

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Mechanical Engineering with teaching/lab experience

Tools

Lab instruments

Data acquisition systems

Engineering software

Job description

Open Rank Non-Tenure Track Faculty Position

Rice University: Brown School of Engineering and Computing: Mechanical Engineering
Location
Houston, Texas

Description

Open Rank Non-Tenure Track Position in Mechanical Engineering

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 or Assistant Teaching Professor, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027, or July 1, 2027. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank appropriate to their qualifications and experience. The initial appointment will be for a one-year term at the Lecturer rank or a two- to three-year term at the Assistant Teaching Professor rank, and may be renewed contingent upon performance 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 will contribute to the department’s undergraduate educational mission through classroom instruction, laboratory teaching, student mentoring, and curricular development.

Responsibilities

Primary teaching responsibilities are expected to include undergraduate courses in areas such as:

• Engineering Mechanics (Statics)
• 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 undergraduate courses aligned with their expertise.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering values hands-on, project-based learning that integrates engineering fundamentals with modern engineering practice. Candidates should be enthusiastic about engaging students in laboratory experimentation, engineering design, prototyping, testing, and open-ended problem-solving. Experience developing laboratory curricula, supervising design-build projects, mentoring student competition teams, or coordinating capstone design experiences is particularly desirable.

In addition to teaching, faculty in this position contribute to the department’s educational mission through activities such as undergraduate advising, curriculum development, accreditation support, laboratory coordination, and departmental service.

About the Department of Mechanical Engineering

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

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

About the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing

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

About Rice University

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. Rice provides a collaborative academic environment that supports excellence in teaching, research, mentorship, and interdisciplinary engagement.

Qualifications

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

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

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

Preferred qualifications include:

• Undergraduate teaching experience.
• Expertise in solid mechanics, mechanics of materials, mechanical design, or experimental mechanics.
• Experience with laboratory instruction and experimental measurement techniques.
• Experience supervising design projects, maker activities, or capstone design teams.
• Familiarity with modern engineering tools, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• A demonstrated commitment to student mentorship and success.

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