Assistant or Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering; Tenure Track

Overview

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ohio University, within the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, seeks a tenure‑track Assistant or Associate Professor (tenure) in Systems, Measurements and Controls. The focus areas include: (i) thermal/energy systems, (ii) advanced manufacturing, and (iii) advanced mobility. Candidates should have methodological depth in modern controls—including modeling, system identification, estimation, optimization, model predictive control, cyber‑physical systems, digital twins, and data‑enabled or learning‑assisted control—and a clear vision for externally funded, high‑impact research.

The successful candidate will:

• Teach core undergraduate controls courses and associated laboratories.
• Develop technical electives and graduate courses aligned with expertise in control and optimization.
• Develop an externally funded research program leading to national and international recognition.
• Contribute to the operation and promotion of the department, college, university, and profession.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and participate in technical committees and outreach activities.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or a closely related field. Associate‑Professor candidates must demonstrate a strong track record of success in research, teaching, and service consistent with tenure at that level. Candidates are expected to produce a record of peer‑reviewed publications, patents, professional conference presentations, and evidence of external funding. Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching, research, and service will be evaluated through:

• Journal publications, patents, and conference presentations.
• Course design and instruction experience.
• Undergraduate and graduate mentorship.
• External outreach and technical committee participation.

Include:

• A cover letter addressing the needs of the position.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Statement of research interests and plans.
• Statement of teaching philosophy and experience.
• Up to three academic publications.
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

All application materials must be submitted by March 20, 2026. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2026.

The department has fourteen faculty members, over 400 undergraduate students, and a strong graduate community with 20 Ph.D. students, 14 MS students, and 8 students in the new MSME Accelerated Graduate Pathway program. Annual research expenditures exceed $2.5 million, supported by federal, state, and industry sources. Faculty collaborate across several centers and institutes, including Center for Advanced Materials Processing
, Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment
, Avionics Engineering Center
, and Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment
. Ohio University, classified as a Carnegie R1 institution, offers a supportive environment for research and teaching, including a new 80,000‑sq‑ft research facility.

Ohio University is an equal access/equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, or any other bases under the law.