Solid Mechanics and Material Science Associate or Assistant Professor

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering ( at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Solid Mechanics and Material Science especially with regard to strategic structural or functional materials enabled by critical minerals. Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field. Candidates will be considered at either the assistant or associate professor level. This is an academic-year position (funded for 9-months) with an anticipated start date of August 2026.

• Develop a significant externally funded research program that includes a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and graduate mentorship.
• Effectively teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Actively participate in assigned department and university duties and demonstrate leadership in relevant technical societies.

Assistant Professor:

• Ph.D. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or closely related fields.
• A strong background in engineering fundamentals.
• Evidence of emerging research streams with potential for extramural support and publication.

Associate Professor:

• Ph.D. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or closely related fields.
• A strong background in engineering fundamentals.
• Evidence of established research streams with potential for extramural support and publication.

Along with the online application please attach:

• Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV
• Names and contact information for three professional references to be added to your Candidate Profile
• Cover Letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10
• Teaching Philosophy to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10
• Research Statement to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

The MAE department has experienced significant growth over the past decade with enrollments of approximately 900 undergraduate and 100 graduate students and is the largest department in the College of Engineering. The department offers MS and PhD degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. The department currently has 17 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and 5 professors of practice with additional part-time instructors from local industry and research institutions.

Faculty research areas include fluid dynamics combustion and propulsion flight mechanics space dynamics advanced materials controls and systems engineering with research expenditures in recent years about $3M. Successful applicants may have opportunities to work closely with scientists and engineers from the USU Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) one of 14 Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC). Further USU faculty also have access to the University of Utah Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC) facilities and the Utah Water Lab. USU is the nearest PhD-granting institution in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering to the Idaho National Laboratory and is also in close proximity to Hill Air Force Base and other defense related organizations. USU recently joined the Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub sponsored by the US Department of Energy and the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH) by the US Department of Defense.

Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs premier land-grant public service university. As an R1 research institution Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local regional and global communities. USU prepares students to be active civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education USU remains a leader in research discovery and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person atlocations throughout the state.Utah States 30 locations include a main campus in Logan Utah residential campuses in Price and Blanding and six additional statewide campuses along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season.The Aggies long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in womens volleyball three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in womens soccer conference championships and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics reflecting USUs commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion excellence in education research discovery outreach and believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be recognized our commitment to employees when they namedUtah State the best employer in Utahin 2023.Learn moreabout USU.

The university provides aDual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or.

*updated 12/2025

In its programs and activities including in admissions and employment Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy Title IX or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring promotion transfer or termination based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race color religion sex familial status disability national origin source of income sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 10/2025