Notice of Vacancy

Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor

Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Washington State University – Pullman, WA

Position Summary:

The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture (VCEA) at Washington State University (WSU) invites applications for two (2) full-time, nine-month, tenure-track positions. Both positions are open to Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor ranks in Pullman, WA.  The department seeks to build upon our core strengths and serve the needs of our state and region in energy, advanced manufacturing and materials, hydrogen, nuclear, biomedical, and aerospace research areas. It is anticipated that the successful candidates will begin their appointment on August 16, 2025.  

Job Duties:

The successful candidate is expected to, in collaboration with the current faculty, play a leading role in building interdisciplinary teams with substantial external research funding in the respective area and be an effective instructor for undergraduate and graduate classes in mechanical engineering or materials science and engineering. Applicants must show a record of accomplishments that demonstrates their potential to become outstanding scholars and educators, build a robust research program, and embody excellent communication skills. The anticipated workload percentages are 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service.

Required Qualifications for All Candidates at All Ranks:

• Completed Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a related field by August 15, 2025. 
• Demonstrated record of publishing peer-reviewed research work in leading journals and research conferences.
• Potential to establish and maintain a world-class research program at WSU.
• Proven or potential for successful teaching and instruction 
• Demonstrated record of or potential for commitment to equitable and inclusive educational experiences in alignment with WSU’s land grant mission

Additional Required Qualifications for Associate Professor Rank:

• Must have served at least 6 years in academia, industry, or a national lab after Ph.D.
• Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs. 

Additional Required Qualifications for Full Professor Rank:

• Must have served at least 10 years in academia, industry, or a national lab after Ph.D.
• Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs.
• Must be a recognized leader through national/international awards and honors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated record of accomplishments to become outstanding scholars and educators
• Excellent communication skills to be an effective instructor for undergraduate and graduate classes in mechanical engineering and/or materials science and engineering.
• Demonstrated record/potential to become a national leader in the field of research.
• Strong commitment to building a robust research program through extramural funding.

To Apply:

Select your appropriate employment status using the buttons below. Applicants must submit their application by January 31, 2025. First consideration will be provided to applications submitted before November 1, 2024. For questions about the search, please contact Prof. Prashanta Dutta, prashanta@wsu.edu.

About WSU, Pullman, and MME

Washington State University is a land grant, multiple-campus, Research 1 institution.  This position will serve on the Pullman campus, which has an enrollment of around 20,000 students and is located in Southeastern Washington on the homelands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe and Palus people. Located 80 miles south of metropolitan Spokane, Pullman is also a quick drive away from the scenic Idaho panhandle and Moscow Mountain. The rolling hills of the Palouse offer a wide range of activities and a true four-season climate. The area provides ample opportunity to enjoy the cultural and academic hub of both Washington State University and the University of Idaho, in the neighboring town of Moscow, Idaho. For more information about the region, please see Pullman Chamber of Commerce.

MME currently has over 1,000 students and 40 faculty members. The current annual extramural research expenditure in MME is over $11 million. With the motto, “Work ready day one,” the School of MME prides itself in its collegial environment, with multiple campuses across the state, close to key industry partners in nuclear, aerospace, and naval engineering. Our students are world-class, with many winning nationally and internationally competitive awards as individuals or teams. About one-quarter of our undergraduate students participate in engineering clubs, and many participate in undergraduate research. Our faculty exhibits excellence in both teaching and research, and we sustain multiple internationally recognized research programs in healthcare, manufacturing, energy, robotics, and advanced materials. MME has unique research centers, including the Nuclear Science Center, the Institute of Materials Research, the Hydrogen Properties for Energy Research Center, and the Institute for Shock Physics. The proximity of the Pullman campus to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) provides exciting opportunities for our students and faculty, including joint appointments with PNNL for successful candidates.   

Washington State University is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the participation of women in academic science and engineering careers. Washington State University is building a culturally diverse faculty and strongly encourages applications from women and minority groups. Washington State University is also pro-active in exploring opportunities for the employment of spouses, both inside and outside the University.  

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer

Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply. WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259 (f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.