Open Positions

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) within the College of Engineering at Boston University is accepting applications for the position of Department Chair and Professor, with tenure, starting ideally by September 1, 2023.

The College of Engineering at Boston University has embarked on a bold new strategic plan that embraces the power of convergent and collaborative research to pursue the most important and impactful research connected to societal needs. We intend to create a new kind of engineer, one wired for the new world that embraces the power of diversity of expertise, perspective, creativity, thought, experience and disciplines needed to accelerate sustainable solutions to complex challenges. To that end our new plan intends to dramatically lower the boundaries for collaboration across departments. The College has 140 primary faculty, is ranked 17th among engineering schools at private institutions and 35th among all engineering schools. The College has been recognized by the American Society of Engineering Education for its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and degree attainment outcomes.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is a vibrant, modern, diverse department with faculty and curricula at the nexus of traditional mechanical engineering, micro and nano systems and manufacturing, dynamics, robotics and autonomous systems (including soft robotics), soft, hard, and meta materials applied to energy systems, data science, design engineering, biomechanics and mechanobiology. There are 46 primary faculty members, many of whom hold joint appointments in other Departments and Divisions within the College. We offer the baccalaureate degree in ME with optional concentrations in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, energy engineering, and nanotechnology. At the graduate level, the Department offers master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, robotics and autonomous systems, and product design and manufacture, and the PhD in mechanical engineering. Undergraduate and graduate enrollments are approximately 500 and 150 respectively, with PhD enrollment growing for several consecutive years. In addition, ME faculty advise almost 100 graduate students enrolled in programs based in other departments and the Divisions. The department is ranked 22nd among all Mechanical Engineering programs at private universities.

The Department has research annual expenditures of approximately $9 million. The research portfolio is cross-cutting and is further strengthened by its affiliation with the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, the Division of Systems Engineering, the Fraunhofer USA Center for Manufacturing Innovation, the Center for Information and Systems Engineering, and the Photonics Center. The department has primary oversight of extraordinary hands-on facilities including our Engineering Product Innovation Center (a 15,000 sq. ft. state of the art maker space), the 5000 sq. ft. Robotics Research Center, and our newly awarded 2500 sq. ft. Robotics and Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center.

The successful candidate will have an exciting opportunity to lead growth of the Department and to shape its role in addressing society’s challenges in a uniquely collaborative environment. They will have an earned doctorate and be internationally recognized for research excellence, leadership, and scholarship in mechanical engineering or a closely related field. They will have the skill to lead and advance a research-oriented department, and the ability to both recruit and mentor exceptional early-career faculty. A demonstrated commitment to inclusion, societal impact, and educational excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels is essential. The Department is also interested in a leader who will further strengthen the graduate program through an environment that fosters interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration.

Applicants should submit an electronic dossier with a cover letter and a curriculum vitae.

To apply, visit: Academic Jobs Online

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

The College of Engineering at Boston University has embarked on a bold new strategic plan that will pursue excellence and impact along six convergent and collaborative research themes: (1) Intelligent, Autonomous and Secure Systems, (2) Synthetic Biology, Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, (3) Energy, Sustainability and Climate, (4) Materials by Design, (5) Photonics and Optical Systems, and (6) Neuroengineering, Neuroinformatics, and Neuroscience. The Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE) is conducting a search at the Assistant Professor rank. We welcome applications from candidates focused on Emerging Areas of Mechanical Engineering, including, but not limited to: (1) sensing and actuation in robotics, (2) interfacial and multiscale dynamics with applications in fluids, aerospace, or similar topics, and (3) sustainable manufacturing.

Boston University is an AAU institution with a rich tradition of inclusion and social justice and a commitment to broadening participation of underrepresented groups in engineering. We are proud that we were the first American university to award a PhD to a woman. The enhancement of diversity and inclusion in engineering is a foundational initiative in the College of Engineering’s new strategic plan.

BU’s MechE department has a long history of leadership and collaboration in its core areas of Biomechanics; Matter; Micro/Nanoengineering (MEMS/NEMS); and Robotics and Autonomous Systems. We attract exceptional graduate students and talented faculty at all levels. Our faculty lead and participate in several high-profile, multidisciplinary research centers, including the Institute for Sustainable Energy, the Center for Multiscale and Translational Mechanobiology, the Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science and Engineering, the Center for Information and Systems Engineering, BU’s NSF Engineering Research Center in Cellular Metamaterials, the Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Science and Engineering, BU Nano Center, and the Photonics Center.

Leading Assistant Professor tenure-track candidates would hold a PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and would be prepared to conduct an experimental and/or computational research program that would complement and enhance the existing strengths in the MechE Department. We are explicitly looking for candidates who have an interest in the societal impact of their research.

Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter that describes your research/creative and teaching interests; 2) a teaching statement that describes your teaching philosophy and experience, 3) a diversity statement that describes how you, through your teaching and/or scholarship, will contribute to our goal to engender a more inclusive and diverse environment, 4) a statement of research accomplishments and goals including how a focus on collaborative and convergent research can affect your research impact, 5) a current CV and 6) three references with their contact information.

We encourage candidates to apply early, as we will begin reviewing applications on November 21, 2022. Applications received by December 16, 2022 will be given full consideration. To apply, visit: Academic Jobs Online 

Contact Us:
Sean Andersson, Interim Department Chair

Boston University
College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
110 Cummington Mall, Room 101
Boston, MA 02215

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN EMERGING AREAS

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

The College of Engineering at Boston University has embarked on a bold new strategic plan that will pursue excellence and impact along convergent themes: (1) Intelligent, Autonomous and Secure Systems, (2) Synthetic Biology, Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, (3) Energy, Sustainability and Climate, (4) Materials by Design, (5) Photonics and Optical Systems, and (6) Neuroengineering, Neuroinformatics, and Neuroscience. As part of our Materials by Design theme, the College is searching for a tenure-track assistant professor to begin in the academic year 2023/2024 in the broad area of Engineered Living Materials. Whereas traditional materials are comprised entirely of non-living components, and thus have properties that are relatively fixed after fabrication, engineered living materials leverage the autonomous and adaptive functionality of living organisms such as cells, bacteria, and plants to create active and animate materials. By combining living and non-living matter, engineered living materials can achieve vastly greater ranges of properties, functions, and autonomy. We are particularly interested in candidates who are working at the intersection of fields such as synthetic biology, materials science, mechanics, cell biology, and chemistry to design, develop, and characterize new engineered living materials—whether for mechanical, biological, electrical, or environmental purposes—or to create new manufacturing processes. Further, we envision a colleague who will complement ongoing experimental, computational and theoretical efforts across the College of Engineering in advanced manufacturing, structural materials, optics/photonics, robotics, energy systems, and biomedical science.

Boston University is an AAU institution with a rich tradition of inclusion and social justice. We are proud that we were the first American university to award a PhD to a woman and the university from which Martin Luther King Jr. received his Ph.D. The College of Engineering believes that the cultural and social diversity of our faculty, staff, and students is vitally important to the distinction and excellence of our research and academic programs. We are especially eager to have a colleague join our ranks who will contribute to our mission of ensuring BU is inclusive, equitable, diverse, and a place where all members of our community can thrive. For more information, on diversity and inclusion at BU, please visit https://www.bu.edu/diversity/ .

Since research in Engineered Living Materials cuts across all three of our departments (Mechanical Engineering (ME), Biomedical Engineering (BME), and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)), this is a College-wide search. The candidate will have a primary appointment in one of the three departments, and we anticipate that he/she/they will also have an affiliated appointment in the Division of Materials Science and Engineering. Affiliated appointments in other departments will also be considered.

The College of Engineering attracts exceptional undergraduate and graduate student and faculty talent at all levels. The College has 125 tenured or tenure-track primary faculty and is ranked 16th among private universities, with all of its individual programs ranked in the top 20. Research activity by primary College faculty is over $60M per year. Engineering faculty lead and participate in several high-profile, interdisciplinary research centers including the Biological Design Center, BUNano, the Neurophotonics Center, the Center for Systems Neuroscience, the Photonics Center, the Hariri Center for Computational Science and Engineering, the Center for Multiscale and Translational Mechanobiology, the Center for Information and Systems Engineering, and the NSF Engineering Research Center in Cellular Metamaterials. For more information about the College, please visit: College of Engineering at Boston University.

Candidates must hold a PhD in an appropriate area and show potential for leading an independent, vibrant, world-class research program. The College of Engineering also places high value on excellence in teaching and on community. Candidates will be expected to teach both graduate and undergraduate courses.

Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter that describes their research/creative and teaching interests; 2) a teaching statement that describes their teaching philosophy and experience, 3) a diversity statement that describes how they, through their teaching and/or scholarship, will contribute to our goal to engender a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, 4) a statement of research accomplishments and goals including how a focus on collaborative and convergent research can affect your research impact, 5) a current CV and 6) three references with their contact information.

We encourage candidates to apply early, as we will begin reviewing applications on November 15, 2022. Applications received by December 16, 2022 will be given full consideration. To apply, visit: Academic Jobs Online

Contact Us:
Harold Park, Search Committee Chair

Boston University
College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
44 Cummington Mall
Boston, MA 02215

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ENGINEERED LIVING MATERIALS

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

The Boston University College of Engineering (BU ENG) has an opening for a Director of our new Robotics and Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center (RASTIC), which has been launched with substantial funding by the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. RASTIC’s scope includes the entire field of robotics and autonomous systems, with initial emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and its applications in robotics and autonomy, smart-cities, and soft-robotics.

The ideal candidate will also be appointed as a Lecturer, or Senior Lecturer, or Associate/Full Professor of Practice in Mechanical Engineering (MechE) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) or a split appointment if applicable, depending on their level of experience.

RASTIC’s mission includes:

• Becoming an incubator of student and faculty ideas that can lead to commercialization and industry adoption.
• Becoming a hub of student projects, supporting students in BU’s M.S. Program in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), supporting undergraduate capstone projects in Robotics, and engaging with the large cohort of Ph.D. students and faculty pursuing research in Robotics, Autonomy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in these fields.
• Engaging with the Massachusetts and national robotics industry, facilitating their recruitment of student talent with Robotics, Autonomy, and AI expertise, and enabling industry-University partnerships.

Responsibilities of the RASTIC Director will include:
• Playing a coordinating role during the construction and instrumentation phase of a 2,000 sq. foot facility which will house RASTIC.
• Nurturing relationships with corporate sponsors and innovation partners along with the broader robotics business communities.
• Curriculum development and teaching
• An active role in supervising student projects.

Candidates must hold an M.S. or Ph.D. in an appropriate area and must have a strong background in technical leadership positions in industry at the intersection with robotics, autonomous systems, and AI. Demonstrated interest in teaching is desirable. Depending on the background of the candidate, appropriate Departmental affiliations will be determined, with the primary appointment being either in Mechanical Engineering (MechE) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) or a split appointment if applicable.

This position is a multi-year, limited term and renewable, non-tenure track appointment.

The MechE department has 40 tenure-track and 8 teaching faculty while the ECE Department has 54 primary faculty. The ENG College-wide M.S. degree program in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) currently admits on the order of 20 students per year from a strong applicant pool that exceeds 300 students. The goal is to scale the RAS program to 50-100 students matriculating each year. The College of Engineering is currently ranked 35th in the nation by US News and World Report, and 16th among private universities.

Boston University is an AAU institution with a rich tradition dedicated to inclusion and social justice. We are proud that we were the first American university to award a Ph.D. to a woman and that Martin Luther King Jr. received his Ph.D. here. We are dedicated to increasing the participation of all talented students and are committed to the pursuit of engineering by underrepresented groups at BU and beyond.

Applicants should submit a brief letter of interest, statement of accomplishments and plans for their role as RASTIC Director, a current CV, and ask three references to submit a recommendation letter at the appropriate link below.

We encourage candidates to apply early, as we will begin reviewing applications.. For full consideration, applicants should upload materials before February 28, 2023. To apply, visit: Academic Jobs Online

Contact Us:

Sean Andersson, Interim Department Chair

Boston University
College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
110 Cummington Mall, Room 101
Boston, MA 02215

DIRECTOR OF THE ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS TEACHING AND INNOVATION CENTER (RASTIC)

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

As part of our ongoing effort to enhance our curriculum and student experience, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Boston University invites applications for an Associate Professor or Professor of the Practice position beginning in July 2023.  A Professor of the Practice influences the mechanical engineering education at BU by sharing their real-world engineering knowledge and experience with their students.  They help to shape students by inspiring them to synthesize innovative solutions and to successfully apply the engineering skills and theories learned in other courses.  This an important and exciting opportunity not only for the Professor of the Practice position, but for the students as well.

Are you driven by the success of those you mentor or manage?  Are you motivated to give back in a highly meaningful manner to the engineering profession?  Does the reward of watching students grow and mature due to your contributions excite you?  It excites us too, and we welcome your application.

The successful candidate will be responsible for, and committed to, delivering excellent courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level, with an emphasis on courses relating to engineering design, product development, and manufacturing. There will be opportunities to contribute in other areas of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum and to take advantage of the Engineering Product and Innovation Center (EPIC), a 15,000 sq.ft. engineering and manufacturing center with a mission to prepare students to work in, and design for, the industries of the future.

Applicants for the position must have a Masters or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, in addition to significant industrial expertise in engineering, design, manufacturing or manufacturing systems.  Passionate and articulate individuals with demonstrated excellence in teaching applicable courses, a track record of industrial leadership and/or public speaking are ideal candidates.

This position is a renewable, three-year, non-tenure track appointment with full benefits.  Salary will be provided for the 9-month academic year with options for summer salary including summer classes and various outreach programs. Instructional faculty in the Mechanical Engineering department are expected to teach multiple courses per academic year (typically, four to six) with multiple sections of the same course counting towards that total.

The MechE department has 48 primary faculty members including 40 tenure-track and 8 teaching faculty. Undergraduate and graduate enrollments are approximately 550 and 250 students, respectively.  Our BS degree in MechE allows for optional departmental concentrations in aerospace engineering and manufacturing engineering and college-wide concentrations in energy technologies, nanotechnology, and technology innovation.  At the graduate level, the department offers Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design and Manufacture, and Robotics and Autonomous Systems, as well as a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.

Boston University is an AAU institution with a rich tradition of inclusion and social justice and a commitment to broadening participation of underrepresented groups in engineering.  Beyond its research and academic activities, BU has a lively, urban campus situated along the banks of the Charles River in Boston’s historic Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood. The campus and surrounding areas offer limitless opportunities for recreational activities, from world-class art and performances to sporting events and fine dining.

Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter that describes how your industrial experience is a good match for the (Associate) Professor of the Practice role 2) a teaching statement that describes your teaching philosophy and experience, 3) a diversity statement that describes how you, through your teaching and leadership, will contribute to our goal to engender a more inclusive and diverse environment, 4) a current CV and 5) three references with their contact information. Applications will be considered immediately and for as long as the job remains open. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply early through: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/23935 

Effective Date: July 2023, open until filled

Contact Us:

Sean Andersson, Interim Department Chair

Boston University
College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
110 Cummington Mall, Room 101
Boston, MA 02215

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.