Assistant/Associate Professor

The Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET) department in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology (CET) is currently seeking applications from exceptional candidates for a full-time, tenure-track position to support the Mechanical, Robotics & Manufacturing, and Mechatronics Engineering Technology programs. This position is open at the level of tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor.

Salary range will adjust if hired at Associate Professor level.

Position Overview:
Candidates for this position will be expected to teach, publish, and conduct externally funded research in areas related to Mechanical Systems, such as:

• Mechanical Engineering Principles: Expertise in the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical systems, with a strong understanding of statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and thermodynamics. Proficiency in structural analysis, materials selection, and mechanical component design.
• Solid Mechanics: Proficiency in analyzing the behavior of materials under different loading conditions.
• Control Systems: Strong background in classical control theory for mechanical systems. Familiarity with proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, frequency response analysis, and stability analysis.
• Sensors and Actuators: Knowledge of various sensors and actuators commonly used in mechanical systems.
• Mechanical Design: Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating detailed mechanical designs. Experience in conceptualizing, modeling, and prototyping mechanical components and systems.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Experience in using FEA software to simulate and analyze the behavior of mechanical components and structures under different loads and conditions.
• Prototyping and Testing: Knowledge of experimental methods for testing and validating mechanical designs. Proficiency in creating prototypes, setting up testing environments, and analyzing experimental data to verify design predictions and improve mechanical systems.
• Engineering Mathematics: Strong mathematical foundation applicable to mechanical engineering, including calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. Skill in using mathematical tools for modeling and solving mechanical engineering problems.
• Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer: Understanding of thermodynamic principles and heat transfer mechanisms relevant to mechanical systems.
• Material Selection: Knowledge of material properties, selection criteria, and manufacturing processes. Industrial/manufacturing experience is valued but not required.
• Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning. Using and teaching AI/ML to students for mechanical system design, development, analysis, or manufacturing.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching: Develop and deliver undergraduate and graduate courses and laboratories. Engage in curriculum development to ensure the programs stay current with industry trends and technological advancements. Student engagement in the classroom using activity based pedagogical strategies is expected. Participation in KEEN and other effective teaching workshops is required.

• Research: Conduct research in a well-defined focus area related to the expertise mentioned above, secure external funding, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. CET has invested in the development and growth of Research Impact Areas: Forging our Future; Toward a Safer Society, Expanding Human Capacity.  These faculty-led collaborative research groups leverage existing expertise and nurture the next generation of faculty leadership. 
• Service: Contribute to the department, college, and university through committee work and other service activities. Maintain a clear professional development agenda to support the department’s growth.

We invite candidates who are passionate about teaching and research in the field of mechanical systems and who are committed to contributing to the growth and success of our department. 

Candidates for this position will be expected to teach, publish, and conduct externally funded research in areas broadly related to Mechanical Systems. Background in solid mechanics, materials, thermodynamics and heat transfer, or mechanical design is desired. Successful candidates will be expected to be able to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in areas such as product design, design optimization, predictive maintenance, and material synthesis.