Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering jobs in Washington, DC

Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular Tenure Track

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: Commensurate with rank and experience

Salary Range: Up To $91,670

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 

Brief Description of Duties
 

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is an urban land-grant institution and is classified as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). UDC is the only public university in Washington, DC and it aims to offer a comprehensive, quality post-secondary education that is affordable to DC residents at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.  Within UDC’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), ABET-accredited programs are offered in Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering along with graduate programs in the aforementioned disciplines.  The students from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have won national design competitions and obtained internships and positions with prestigious employers such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Apple, and area defense contractors. UDC is located within a 30-mile distance from the Naval Research Laboratory, Army Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Institute of Health (NIH), NASA and hundreds of technology-focused private and government organizations.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor; however, those with commensurate experience may be considered at the rank of Associate Professor.  The position start date will be August 16, 2024.  Interested candidates must have an earned doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, and have a strong record of research, teaching and scholarly works. The successful candidate must have exceptional interpersonal communication and management skills necessary to promote programs to maintain student enrollment and should have a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching.  Though not required, applicants with additional experience (e.g., postdoctoral experience, industry experience, and/or experience with ABET accreditation procedures) are highly desirable.  The department will consider candidates in all areas of the mechanical engineering discipline; however, a particular emphasis will be placed on ability to teach several courses below:

• Fluid Mechanics
• Thermodynamics
• Heat Transfer
• Design of Energy Systems
• Renewable Energy (e.g., solar and fuel cells)
• Tech Electives: Robotics, Aerospace, or Additive Manufacturing
• Programming, AI, and Machine Learning     
• Modelling and Computer Graphics
• Machine Design
• Materials Science

The ME department has the following four main research areas: Energy Science, Advanced Manufacturing, Materials & Nanotechnology, and Biomedical Engineering. The ME department has established laboratories in the areas of Metal Additive Manufacturing, Biomechanical & Rehabilitation Engineering, Nanoscale Heat Transfer, Microscopy and Device Characterization, and Nano/Microfabrication Technology with a class-1000 cleanroom. Successful applicants will have the opportunities to develop their own innovative research program and collaborate with other faculty members within the school and help develop cross-disciplinary research.
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Faculty duties include developing research in the candidate’s core area, teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, developing externally funded research projects, performing academic duties, university service, and community service. 

  Selected faculty will be expected to:  

  (a) Teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in the areas of renewable energy, such as solar cells and solar thermal energy systems, fuel cell science and technologies, and design of energy systems

  (b) Lead renewable energy concentration under the Mechanical Engineering program

  (c) Take leadership in advancing renewable energy laboratory for education and research using institutional resources and by seeking external funding

  (d) Conduct cutting edge experimental research in the one or more areas of nanotechnology related to energy, nanotechnology, materials for energy areas, or renewable energy

  (e) Collaborate with other faculty to form teams to pursue external funding to grow nanotechnology and /or renewable energy research and STEM workforce capabilities

  (f) Successfully publish research findings in the form of peer-reviewed publications independently or with student coauthors

  The successful applicant will also have an opportunity to work with our faculty members and join existing federally funded centers within the SEAS to establish their research field and become competitive in seeking extramural funding and develop cross-disciplinary research. 

Minimum Job Requirements

• Candidates must have a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field, and have a strong record of research, teaching and scholarly works.  Interested candidates should submit a single pdf containing cover letter, curriculum vitae (listing academic publications), research statement, teaching statement and a statement of commitment to advancing equity and fostering an inclusive and diverse community in academia.

                A candidate for appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor shall be required to meet the following qualifications:

1. An appropriate terminal degree or agree to complete this degree within a period of time to be specified in the terms of the initial contract; and
2. At least three (3) years of full-time teaching experience, including two (2) years in an institution of higher education.

Appropriate professional experience and achievements may be substituted when formal teaching experience is limited or absent.

When formal teaching experience is limited or absent, the candidate shall be required to demonstrate verifiable potential for effective teaching.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by National Education Association (NEA) and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Residency Preference: A person applying for a position who is a bona fide District resident at the time of application for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
 

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .