Teaching Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science

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Job description

W.S. Lee College of Engineering

Overview
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science (MEES) at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) is currently seeking candidates for two 9-month non-tenure-track Teaching Assistant Professor positions (004470 and 001722) with an expected start date of August 2026. We seek outstanding candidates with demonstrated expertise and teaching experience in one or more of the following or related areas:

  • Mechatronics and robotics
  • Design-build and project-based courses
  • Computer-aided and AI-enabled design
  • Mechanics and thermofluids

The MEES department is the largest department within the William States Lee College of Engineering, staffed by 51 full-time faculty members and 15 staff members who serve over 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students. There are six active NSF CAREER awardees, and faculty are recognized as Fellows of leading professional societies. The Department is internationally recognized for research programs in advanced manufacturing, precision metrology, battery research, motorsports/automotive engineering, energy, aerospace, dynamics & controls, mechanics & materials, and bioengineering. The Department is home to the Center for Precision Metrology (CPM) and the Battery Complexity, Autonomous Vehicle and Electrification Research Center (BATT CAVE), and offers undergraduate concentrations in Aerospace, Biomedical, Energy, Motorsports and Precision Engineering & Metrology. The College of Engineering is leading initiatives in several strategic areas for the university, including Advanced Manufacturing and Metrology, Transformational Energy, Transportation and Advanced Mobility, and Smart and Sustainable Cities.

Successful candidates will play a central role in the department’s undergraduate teaching mission, including mentoring students, supporting career exploration, and contributing to hands-on, experiential, adaptive, and AI-enabled learning. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, engaging in accreditation activities, program assessment, and service to the Department, College, and University as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline by the start of the appointment.

Desired Qualifications

  • Teaching experience in mechanical engineering.
  • Potential for or evidence of laboratory development, senior design projects mentoring, large classes teaching, or experiential learning.
  • Potential for or evidence of effective online or hybrid teaching.
  • Experience in or promise for student mentoring/advising.
  • Ability to engage with professional societies and industry partners, and/or collaborate with community partners.
  • Licensed Professional Engineering (PE) designation.

About Charlotte and UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte, with more than 32,000 students, is a top-tier, urban R1 research university. The University is recognized for its research excellence, innovation, and student achievement that drive progress across North Carolina, the Southeastern region, and the United States. Driven by a spirit of innovation and discovery, UNC Charlotte serves as a center of research excellence that advances knowledge in areas such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, sustainability, energy, health, and urban systems — addressing challenges that shape the future of our world. The campus is located on a 1000-acre wooded campus in the University City neighborhood of Charlotte.

The Charlotte metro area is centrally located in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, with a population of nearly three million. It is one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States, attracting highly educated professionals and research partnerships in the field of energy, advanced manufacturing, transportation, and financial technology. Eight Fortune 500 are headquartered in the Charlotte region, including Honeywell, Duke Energy, and Albemarle Corporation. The Charlotte airport is a major international hub and offers direct flights to most cities in the US and major destinations abroad. Charlotte offers a vibrant blend of professional sports, arts and culture, outdoor adventure, and career opportunities — making it a top destination to live. The city offers a mix of urban and natural amenities, featuring both a lively uptown area and numerous hiking trails. Within a three-hour drive, many enjoy the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains or the exciting shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Charlotte is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the country.

How to apply

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the program’s website or contact the chair of the Search Committee Professor Terry Xu ([email protected]), with further questions. Please review the full job description at https://jobs.charlotte.edu/ (position number 004470 or 001722) for additional information, expectations, and requirements.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents for Positions 004470 or 001722 at https://jobs.charlotte.edu/postings/65966

  • One-page letter of interest.
  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Statement of teaching and research interests (up to three pages).
  • Contact information for at least three references.

Interviews are expected to begin in March 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The candidates selected for the two positions will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest degree earned, and will be subject to a criminal background check.

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina's urban research institution. Our campus is located in the piedmont of North Carolina, just two hours from the mountains and three hours from the Atlantic Ocean. A large public university with a small college feel, more than 25,000 students consider UNC Charlotte’s 1,000-acre campus their home away from home.