Tenure Track Assistant Professor - Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

General Summary of Position:

The Francis College of Engineering (FCOE) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE). The position is anticipated to start in September 2027. We are seeking outstanding candidates with expertise in robotics, controls, automation, or related fields that complement and enhance the department’s current research. Candidates whose work in machine learning complements or enhances these research areas are also encouraged to apply.

A strong emphasis will be placed on the originality and potential impact of the candidate’s work rather than their specific subfield. The successful candidate should aim to establish an externally funded and internationally recognized research program, teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and contribute to the department’s mission through service and promotion of inclusive excellence. Our faculty are teacher-scholars who integrate their teaching, mentoring, and research to create dynamic learning environments for our students.

The MIE Department has over 30 faculty members and more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in both Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Energy Engineering, a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, and an M.S. in Engineering Management. The department encourages collaborative research and maintains strong connections with regional and national industries, national laboratories, and interdisciplinary research centers.

Essential Job Duties:

• Develop and maintain a high-quality, externally funded research program with national or international visibility.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in robotics, controls, automation, computational thinking, or core mechanical/industrial engineering subjects.
• Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students, including Ph.D. students.
• Engage in departmental, college, and university service, and contribute to professional organizations.
• Collaborate across disciplines and engage with industry, government, or community partners when appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment.
• Evidence of potential for scholarly excellence and a sustainable, externally funded research agenda in robotics, controls, automation, ML, or related areas.
• Demonstrated commitment and potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• The ability to work effectively with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Record of (or strong potential for) securing competitive external funding.
• Evidence of effective teaching or curriculum development.
• Interest in developing interdisciplinary collaborations across engineering, computing, and applied sciences.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and employing inclusive pedagogical approaches.
• Engagement in professional service.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This position is full-time, benefited and in the MTA/Mass. Society of Professors union. Although the union contract minimum is set at $75,000, we anticipate a hiring range of $115,000 - $122,000.

Initial review of applications will begin November 22, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. The position may close once an adequate number of qualified candidates have been received.

Please include the following required documents with your application:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Statement of research experience, accomplishments and interests (maximum of five pages)
• Statement of teaching interests and philosophy (maximum of two pages)
• Up to three representative publications (uploaded as a single file)
• Names and contact information for three professional references (please do not send recommendation letters)

All materials should be submitted electronically through the UMass Lowell employment portal.