Assistant/Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Assistant/Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rice University

https://mech.rice.edu/

https://engineering.rice.edu/

Position Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas, invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position in solid mechanics and related areas. The appointment may be made at the Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level, commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. This position is part of the department’s continued investment in foundational and emerging areas of mechanical engineering and offers opportunities to contribute to its growth while developing collaborations across Rice and the broader scientific and engineering communities.

We seek candidates whose research advances the science and engineering of solids, structures, materials, and mechanical systems. Areas of interest include but are not limited to 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; and 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.

Rice seeks faculty who embrace a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration, and inclusive mentorship. Excellence in research and teaching will be the primary criteria for evaluation.

Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be expected to 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; and teach undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with their expertise. Additional responsibilities include advising and mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers; contributing to departmental, school, university, and professional service; and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations within Rice and with external partners. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, advising, and mentoring students from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences and will contribute to the continued strength of undergraduate and graduate education across the department and the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. Rice’s highly collaborative environment provides opportunities to engage with researchers in materials science, computational science, energy, advanced manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and other disciplines.

We welcome the fullness of diversity at Rice. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. In our candidate pools, we seek to increase the representation of women, scholars of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who have historically been underrepresented in mechanical engineering; attract scholars and students from a wide range of countries, backgrounds, and experiences; accelerate progress toward building a faculty and staff community with diverse perspectives and expertise; and maintain an environment that fosters interaction, understanding, and belonging throughout our community.

About the Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of nine academic departments in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. The department includes 18 tenure-stream faculty and four teaching faculty with research and educational strengths spanning solid and fluid mechanics, materials, thermal sciences, controls, robotics, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, design, and computational methods.

The department and school are undergoing a period of strategic growth, creating opportunities for collaboration across Rice University and with Houston's energy, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors. Rice's interdisciplinary environment provides strong opportunities for impactful research and innovation across traditional disciplinary boundaries.

About the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing

Rice University's George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing is a nationally recognized leader in engineering research and education. The school prepares future leaders through rigorous technical training, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

About Rice University

Rice University is a private, top-tier research university located in Houston's Museum District, adjacent to the Texas Medical Center. Rice enrolls approximately 5,200 undergraduate students and 4,800 graduate students across eight schools. The university is consistently ranked among the nation's leading universities and is recognized for excellence in both research and undergraduate education.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment.

Candidates will demonstrate excellence in research and scholarship appropriate to rank; a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching; the potential to establish or sustain a highly impactful, externally funded research program; and a commitment to mentoring students and contributing to a collaborative academic community. For appointment at the Associate Professor rank, candidates should have a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, sustained external funding, and growing national or international recognition in their field.

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

Applicants must submit the following materials through Interfolio:

• 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 who may be asked to provide letters of reference

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University (https://www.rice.edu/mission-values#xd\_co\_f=NzhlYjAxZjUtZDM4Yi00N2VkLTkwODAtYjdkNzE0ZmUwZTA3~)