Job Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks applications for a tenure-track faculty position (assistant/associate) in the area of design, materials, and manufacturing, effective August 2024. Specifically, we seek candidates with an interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for data-driven materials design and manufacturing. The candidate will have expertise in AI/ML techniques for topics including but not limited to digital twins; microstructure design; materials informatics; structural design; functional materials design; process-property-structure relationships. This position will fill a research teaming need that exists in the department's manufacturing initiative, which will significantly enhance the pursuit of large-scale research programs in this area. It also will provide expertise in AI/ML-driven engineering to support the development of new engineering courses. We seek candidates motivated to contribute to a collegial, interdisciplinary community with a strong tradition of both fundamental and applied research.
The department currently has 50 tenured/tenure-track faculty members, with an additional 10 non-tenure track instructional and research faculty. It is home to over 1100 undergraduate and 320 graduate students. The department ranks 13th in latest U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Colleges report, and the graduate program ranks 17th. ASEE ranks the department 4th for the number of bachelor degrees awarded in mechanical engineering. Furthermore, the department's manufacturing initiative has fueled substantial growth in design and manufacturing research infrastructure, including extensive additive manufacturing capabilities, materials testing and characterization facilities, and computational resources.

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT-serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. The College of Engineering undergraduate program ranks 16th and graduate program ranks 30th among all U.S. engineering schools (USN&WR). The Mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. Our core values are inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, perseverance and stewardship.

Virginia Tech's main campus is located in Blacksburg, VA, in an area consistently ranked among the country's best places to live. In addition, our program in the Washington, D.C. area offers unique proximity to government and industry partners and is also expanding rapidly, with Virginia Tech's exciting new Innovation Campus in Alexandria, VA, slated to open in 2024.

Application materials include a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three professional references. In addition, applicants must provide a research statement and a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy (up to 3 pages each) including the candidate's ideas for supporting an equitable and inclusive educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community; specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who can support and extend our University's commitment to inclusive excellence.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a PhD in mechanical engineering or a closely related field, a strong record of academic accomplishments and a proven ability to work collaboratively, a commitment to interdisciplinary research and instruction, and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries to address complex technical and societal challenges.

Appointment Type

Regular

Review Date

December 1, 2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.