Assistant/Associate Professor- Space and Small Satellite Systems
POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) announces a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor in the broad areas of Space and Small Satellite Systems. This includes individuals with backgrounds in mission design, mechanisms and mechatronics, communications, and collaborative small satellites. Applicants with backgrounds in the development of CubeSats and related technologies are especially encouraged to apply. The position starts in fall 2019.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline is required. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and the potential for developing an externally funded research program.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UTEP has an enrollment of nearly 1200 graduate and undergraduate students. The Department boasts one of the nation’s most dynamic research programs with a broad federal and industry funded project portfolio that supports research activities in three major areas: aerospace and defense systems, additive manufacturing, and energy engineering. The Department houses two of UTEP’s top research centers, the NASA MIRO Center for Space Exploration and Technology Research (cSETR) and the W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation. The Department’s research and education programs strive to create abundant opportunities for students and to bring the Southwest border region to the pinnacle of advanced technology research excellence. The Department has laboratories for research in the areas of advanced manufacturing and aerospace and energy systems engineering. The Department also has exceptional computational capabilities as well as state-of-the-art manufacturing and design practice facilities.
Of particular relevance to this position, the Department of Mechanical Engineering in conjunction with cSETR operates a new 2500 sq. ft. Spacecraft Design and Engineering Facility, which contains several vacuum and environmental chambers, a shaker table, electronics board fabrication equipment and a small satellite integration area. In addition, the Department of Mechanical Engineering and cSETR operate a 15 sq. mile testing facility in Fabens, TX (35 miles from the UTEP main campus) dedicated to rocket engine testing, demonstration vehicle testing and integration, and autonomous vehicle testing.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers an ABET-accredited B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering. The Department of Mechanical Engineering also offers a Graduate Certificate in 3D Engineering and Additive Manufacturing and is currently developing a proposal to offer an M.S. degree in Aerospace and Defense Systems Engineering. The Department of Mechanical Engineering has 1400 undergraduate students and graduates nearly 200 undergraduates a year, making it one of the top awarders of mechanical engineering bachelor’s degrees in the country. The Mechanical Engineering Department’s Graduate Program has 110 graduate students, including 42 doctoral students; nearly all graduate students are full time and research active. Both graduate and undergraduate programs see an approximate 7% growth rate annually. The Department of Mechanical Engineering has annual research expenditures in excess of $5 million, making it one of the top producing departments in the University in both research and educational impact.
The Mechanical Engineering Department is part of a rapidly growing College of Engineering that has doubled its research expenditures and experienced a 25% increase in enrollment over the last five years. Additional information about the Department and College is available at http://me.utep.edu and http://engineering.utep.edu.
ABOUT UTEP & EL PASO: The University of Texas at El Paso is an emerging national research university at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region committed to the ideals of access and excellence. UTEP enrolls more than 25,000 students – about 80 percent of them Hispanic – and is the only doctoral research university in the nation with a majority Mexican-American student body. The city’s border location makes it an ideal venue for academic programs and research studies on topics of national interest.
The region’s center for intellectual capital, UTEP has awarded about 130,000 degrees since its founding in 1914. UTEP is one of the major economic engines in the Paso del Norte region, adding $1.4 billion to the local economy annually and creating an estimated 26,499 new jobs, according to a January 2015 report by Economic Modeling Specialists International. El Paso’s active arts and culture community features the state’s longest running symphony orchestra, a nationally recognized chamber music festival, art galleries, museums, and a full schedule of seasonal events and festivals. UTEP adds to the arts and entertainment scene with an award-winning dinner theater, music and dance productions, contemporary and student art galleries, and a natural history museum. For sports fans, the UTEP Miners offer exciting Division I college athletics at Sun Bowl Stadium, the Don Haskins Center, Kidd Field, University Field and the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. Southwest University Park, located in lively downtown El Paso, is home to the El Paso Chihuahuas, the San Diego Padres AAA baseball team.
RANK & SALARY: Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Anticipated appointment date is fall 2019. Applicants must submit 1) a cover letter, 2) detailed curriculum vitae, 3) names of at least three references, 4) a statement of teaching philosophy and 5) a statement of research interests pertinent to the position.
To apply, please visit http://utep.edu/employment.
Hiring decisions are based on budget approval
In keeping with its Access and Excellence mission, the University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity in employment or the provision of services.