Assistant/Associate/Full Tenure-track faculty position

Location
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Posted
Sep 24, 2024
Closes
Dec 23, 2024
Discipline
Engineering
Position Type
Educator / Faculty
Specialty
Autonomy
Hours
Full Time
Employment Type
Permanent
Organization Type
Academia

Contact Details

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks applications for a tenure-track faculty position (assistant/associate/full) in the area of autonomy, navigation and mapping. Specifically, this open-rank position seeks applicants specializing in one or more areas of autonomy, perception, navigation, localization and mapping, and sensor fusion. The ideal candidate will contribute to ongoing research at Virginia Tech and will collaborate with existing faculty in robotics, automotive and aerospace fields in the development of autonomous vehicle/robotic systems. Candidates interested in enhancing navigation in complex environments for multi-agent systems, and ensuring uncrewed vehicle/robotic systems can operate safely and efficiently in diverse and unpredictable settings are encouraged to apply. This position will have valuable opportunities for interdisciplinary research and fostering innovation across departments. We aim to integrate strengths in robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and control systems to drive forward the state-of-the-art in autonomous technology. Additionally, the successful candidate will contribute to our educational mission by teaching core courses in robotics and controls, developing new specialized courses, and mentoring undergraduate/graduate students in advanced autonomous systems topics. We are seeking candidates motivated to contribute to a collegial, interdisciplinary community with a strong tradition of both fundamental and applied research.

The department currently has 76 faculty members and is home to over 1,250 undergraduate and 350 graduate students. Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to Inclusive VT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges report, the College of Engineering’s undergraduate program ranks 13th and the graduate program ranks 31st among all U.S. engineering schools and the Mechanical Engineering Department’s undergraduate program ranks 13th and the graduate program ranks 17th. The Mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. Our core values are inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, perseverance, and stewardship.

Virginia Tech's main campus is located in Blacksburg, VA, in an area consistently ranked among the country's best places to live. In addition, our program in the Washington, D.C., area offers unique proximity to government and industry partners and is also expanding rapidly, with Virginia Tech's exciting new Innovation Campus in Alexandria, VA slated to open in early 2025.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in mechanical engineering or a closely related field, a strong record of academic accomplishments and a proven ability to work collaboratively, a commitment to interdisciplinary research and instruction, and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries to address complex technical and societal challenges.

Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu (posting number 531063). Application materials include a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three professional references. In addition, applicants must provide a research statement, a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy, and a statement describing the candidate’s ideas for supporting an equitable and inclusive educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community; in this document, specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who can support and extend our university’s commitment to inclusive excellence. Each of the statements can be up to 3 pages in length. Review of applications will commence on November 8th 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Kevin Kochersberger at kbk@vt.edu (540-231-5589).

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

The department fully embraces Virginia Tech’s Commitment to increase faculty, staff and student diversity; to ensure a welcoming, affirming, safe and accessible campus climate; to advance our research, teaching, and service mission through inclusive excellence; and to promote sustainable transformation through institutionalized structures. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Services Center at hrservicecenter@vt.edu or at (540) 231-9331.