Associate/Full Professor in Mechanical Engineering (2025-26)

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (www.me.udel.edu) at the University of Delaware invites applications for one faculty position at the rank of Associate/Full Professor with a start date of Fall 2026. The search is focused on three areas: (1) Design and Manufacturing; (2) Aerospace and Fluid Mechanics; and/or (3) Artificial Intelligence (AI) with applications to mechanical engineering.

For the design and manufacturing position, we seek candidates with expertise including, but not limited to, quality control, CAD/CAM, high volume production processes, process automation, additive manufacturing, design methodology, or design automation. This hire will take on a leadership role in our proposed MS program in Design and Manufacturing and help to integrate current strengths including our 13,000 sq ft Design Studio as well as UD’s research strengths in composites manufacturing and battery manufacturing.

For the aerospace position, we seek candidates with expertise including, but not limited to, computational fluid dynamics in areas of subsonic flight, turbulence, unsteady flows, and/or flow control; aerodynamic vehicle/structure design and optimization; propulsion systems; high-performance composites and metamaterials with aerospace applications; or spacecraft dynamics. Importantly, we seek candidates who leverage computation and/or develop and utilize AI/ML tools in their research—not just advancing knowledge in aerospace engineering but also developing modern tools to gain this knowledge.

For the AI/ML position, we seek candidates developing AI/ML for physical systems and deploying them to advance core ME areas such as mechanics and materials, thermal/fluids and energy systems, controls and autonomy, robotics and human-machine interaction, and design and manufacturing. Candidates whose work integrates physics with learning and the use of these methods to design new mechanical systems and materials are especially encouraged to apply. This includes areas such as physics-informed methods, operator learning approaches, learning-enabled control and autonomy, AI-accelerated simulation, digital twins, inverse design, materials or structural informatics, embodied intelligence, and the use of AI in additive or smart manufacturing.

The department consists of 32 full-time faculty members actively engaged in the core research areas of biomechanics, clean energy and environment, composites and advanced materials, nanotechnology, and robotics and controls; research expenditures for FY 2025 were over $10 million. In addition to hosting the Center for Fuel Cells and Batteries, Center for Biomechanical Engineering Research, and Center for Autonomous and Robotic Systems, the department has strong ties with several strategic campus-wide institutions such as the Center for Composite Materials, Center for Research in Wind, Center for Clean Hydrogen, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, Delaware Environmental Institute, and Delaware Energy Institute. Campus-wide initiatives in advanced manufacturing include two National Networks for Manufacturing Innovation (NIIMBL and RAPID) as well as other interdisciplinary centers and institutes involved with manufacturing science.

The University of Delaware (www.udel.edu) combines a rich historic legacy in engineering with a commitment to undergraduate and graduate education. The ME undergraduate program (approximately 600 students enrolled) places a strong emphasis on real-world design and research. The graduate program (about 130 students enrolled) emphasizes the creation and dissemination of new impactful knowledge. With external funding exceeding $300 million, the University ranks among the top 100 universities in federal R&D support for science and engineering. The 194,000-square-foot Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory includes shared laboratories for nanofabrication and advanced materials characterization and greatly expands opportunities for interdisciplinary research and education. The 272-acre STAR (Science, Technology and Advanced Research) campus offers even more opportunities for research, academic, and commercial development. The main campus in Newark, Delaware, provides the amenities of a vibrant college town with convenient access to the major cities of the East Coast.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or a closely related field. Please submit applications online. Applications must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a description of research experience and interests, teaching experience and interests, and the names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three references. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received before March 31, 2026. The search will continue until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Delaware is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or status as a protected veteran, as well as any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For the University’s complete non-discrimination statement, please visit www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html.