Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System

The College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a tenure-system faculty position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME). We encourage applications for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor and will consider exceptional candidates for appointment at the rank of Associate or (Full) Professor.

Candidates must have an earned PhD in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027.  The successful candidate will be expected to develop a sustainable, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program; contribute significantly to their discipline through scholarly work; demonstrate effective teaching and mentorship of both undergraduate and graduate students; and participate in institutional and professional service. Candidates are encouraged to discuss how their research could have an impact and complement the department's existing strengths.

All areas of Mechanical Engineering will be considered, with particular interest in:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced/autonomous advanced manufacturing
• Process engineering, design and optimization assisted by AI
• Smart materials and medical devices/systems

Preference will be given to candidates who can develop a sustainable, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program; contribute significantly to their discipline through scholarly work; demonstrate effective teaching and mentorship of both undergraduate and graduate students; and participate in institutional and professional service. Candidates are encouraged to discuss how their research could impact and complement the strengths within the department.

Other qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and an ability to work in a collaborative research environment. Joint appointments with other engineering departments are possible, considering existing strengths and capabilities and the candidate’s preferences. Successful candidates will be appointed to an academic-year position in the tenure system, with tenure, if appropriate. Successful candidates are expected to elevate MSU's reputation through their professional activities.

This is a union position represented by the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF). The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering currently has the largest student enrollment in the College of Engineering and offers strong interdisciplinary research and educational programs. Its faculty engages in vibrant research across a broad range of areas, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, combustion, control, design, dynamics, energy and sustainability, fluid dynamics, biomechanics, machine learning, robotics, solid mechanics, and thermal transport.

For more than 130 years, the MSU College of Engineering has advanced, shared, and applied engineering knowledge to tackle society's most pressing challenges. Guided by MSU's land-grant mission, we prepare exceptional graduates, conduct breakthrough research, and drive innovations that improve lives locally and globally. As an R1 institution, we support our faculty and students with world-class facilities and robust infrastructure for discovery and application, underscored by the college's $87.2 million in annual research expenditures.

Our eight departments span computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability. Through strong collaboration and mentorship, the college provides an environment where faculty can thrive, lead transformative research, and help shape the technologies and solutions of the future.

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised: Oct 5, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 5, 2028 Eastern Daylight Time

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