Robotics Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wichita State University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in Wichita, KS invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in mechanism design and robotics. The successful candidate will teach and mentor across undergraduate and graduate levels, develop a vigorous research program, and contribute to service within the university and profession.

This 9-month appointment begins Fall 2027.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• PhD in mechanical engineering required by time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical engineering (mechanism design/robotics).
• Develop curriculum and instructional materials for multiple modalities (in-person, online, hybrid).
• Mentor research projects and theses/dissertations; supervise student work.
• Establish and maintain an active research program; seek external funding.
• Contribute to service within the department, college, and profession.

Skills

Excellent written & oral communication

Collaborative teamwork

Mentoring students

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Terminal degree in Mechanical Engineering

Earned PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for thisposition.

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range beginning $95,000-$110,000/yr, commensurate withqualifications

Work Schedule: Dependent on teaching assignment and researchprogram needs.; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export controlrequirement.

Job Story

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College ofEngineering at Wichita State University invites applications for atenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mechanical Engineering(mechanism design/robotics area). We seek an innovative scholar andeducator who will contribute to our academic programs and researchprofile. The successful candidate will be expected to teachundergraduate and graduate courses, develop a productive researchprogram, and provide service to the university and profession.This position is a 9-month appointment with an anticipated startdate of Fall 2027.

The Department has three-degree programs (one bachelor’s, onemaster’s, and one PhD program), and three graduate certificateprograms. Our undergraduate program is accredited by theEngineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, which means thecurriculum has met rigorous benchmarks and goals, as has ourgraduate programs. Additionally, our department is committed toexperience-based instruction and research, so students have theopportunity to engage in paid applied learning experiences andresearch with our faculty even as undergraduates. Graduates of ourprograms go on to design products and machines, as well as developprocesses for manufacturing. New faculty will find supportivecolleagues and opportunities to engage in interdisciplinaryinitiatives across the university.

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels usingvarious instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face),hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into thecourse design and engage with industry and local business communityapplied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities(e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship,recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities,etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forthby the department and college.

Job Duties

Teaching

Develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and/or graduatelevel in mechanical engineering in mechanism design/robotics. Thisincludes designing curriculum and instructional materials,delivering high-quality instruction in various modalities(in-person, online, or hybrid), and assessing student learning. Thefaculty member will mentor and advise students, includingsupervising research projects or theses/dissertation asappropriate, and incorporate applied learning opportunities (e.g.projects with industry or community partners) into the courseworkwhenever possible.

Research/Scholarly Activity

Successful applicants for the position will demonstrate deepexpertise and establish and maintain an active research program inone or more of the following topics: mechanism design; robotics andintelligent system design; design and manufacturing of engineeredmaterials systems; design cognition; design collaboration; datascience and artificial intelligence in design; immersive design;and design at extreme scales and in extreme environments. Theresearch activity should advance the next generation of engineersand researchers by developing a deep understanding of the design,manufacturing and engineering of devices, products, processes,platforms, materials, organizations, systems, and systems ofsystems. The design of a modern intelligent system, in which thedesigners, the artifacts they create, the methods they use tocreate them, and the environment in which this occurs are allsubject to rigorous scientific inquiry, along with the interactionsamong these elements; is of particular importance. Publishingpeer-reviewed scholarly work and disseminating results in academicvenues if of great importance. The faculty member is expected toseek external funding (grants or industry collaboration) to supportresearch activities and, where applicable, engage ininterdisciplinary projects or partnerships with industry, andadvising and supervising undergraduate and graduate students’thesis and dissertation projects. Excellence in scholarship shouldbe demonstrated by a record of research accomplishments or clearpotential for high-quality research output.

Service

Participate in service activities within the department, college,and university, as well as in professional organizations. Serviceduties include committee work, curriculum development, programassessment, student recruitment, and community outreach. Thefaculty member will contribute to the governance and strategicinitiatives of the department and may also engage in service to thebroader profession (e.g. reviewing for journals, involvement inacademic societies).

Other

Fulfill other duties as assigned, in accordance with the facultymember’s talents and departmental needs. All Wichita State facultyare expected to uphold professional and ethical standards inteaching, research, and service.

Required Education and Experience

• Terminal degree in direct field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• Required Education: An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in MechanicalEngineering or a closely related field is required. Candidates musthave completed the requirements for the Ph.D. by the time ofappointment.
• Demonstrated potential for effective teaching in mechanismdesign; robotics and intelligent system design; and design andmanufacturing of engineered materials systems. Evidence may includeprior teaching experience, student evaluations, teaching awards, ora teaching philosophy that reflects best practices ininstruction.
• Demonstrated potential for productive research and scholarship. This can be shown by publications, conference presentations,dissertation work, or other scholarly activities indicating theability to develop an independent research program

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and theability to work effectively with colleagues and students.
• The candidate should be able to collaborate in a collegialacademic environment and adapt to the interdisciplinary and appliedlearning focus of Wichita State.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff,and external partners in an academic environment.
• Potential to obtain external research funding, or evidence ofprevious success in securing grants, contracts, orindustry-supported research funding.
• Ability to develop collaborations as part of amultidisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to provide instruction curriculum to a variety oflearners.
• Interest in interdisciplinary work or industrycollaboration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interdisciplinary/Applied Focus: Experience or interest in interdisciplinary work or industrycollaboration. For example, a history of working on researchprojects across disciplines or partnerships with industry and thecommunity (aligned with Wichita State’s emphasis on appliedlearning and innovation) is desirable.

Additional Information

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for thisposition.

Physical Requirements

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%;Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment includingbut not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators –Frequent 60-90%