Assistant/Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

About the Role

Rice University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking to hire a tenure-track or tenured faculty member at the Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level. The appointment is anticipated to begin on July 1, 2027. This position focuses on solid mechanics and related areas and is part of the department's ongoing investment in foundational and emerging areas of mechanical engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish or maintain a vigorous, externally funded research program with national and international recognition.
• Conduct innovative research and disseminate results through high-impact publications, conferences, and other scholarly activities.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with expertise.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers.
• Contribute to departmental, school, university, and professional service.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations within Rice and with external partners.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, advising, and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
• Contribute to the strength of undergraduate and graduate education across the department and the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing.

Research Areas of Interest Include

• Solid mechanics
• Mechanics of materials
• Computational mechanics
• Structural mechanics
• Multiscale modeling and simulation
• Experimental mechanics
• Fracture, damage, and failure
• Manufacturing and mechanics-informed design
• Soft and bio-inspired materials
• Biomechanics
• Data-driven or AI-enabled approaches to mechanics and materials
• Exceptional candidates whose research expands the frontiers of mechanics in other areas are also encouraged to apply.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Excellence in research and scholarship appropriate to rank.
• Commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• Potential to establish or sustain a highly impactful, externally funded research program.
• Commitment to mentoring students and contributing to a collaborative academic community.
• For appointment at the Associate Professor rank, a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, sustained external funding, and growing national or international recognition is required.

Application Instructions

• For full consideration, applications should be received by November 1, 2026.
• Applications will continue to be accepted until December 15, 2026.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement (up to five pages)
• Statement of teaching philosophy (up to two pages)
• Statement describing contributions to an inclusive and supportive learning, research, and mentoring environment (up to two pages)
• Names and contact information for at least three professional references.