Instructor - mechanical engineering

Department:

Mechanical Engineering

Job Summary:

Performs the function of teaching with renewable contracts. Not eligible for tenure.

Job Description:

Position Description
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Oxford, Mississippi, invites applications for a full-time Instructor of Mechanical Engineering. This teaching-focused, non-tenure-track faculty appointment will strengthen hands-on undergraduate instruction in mechanical engineering laboratories and related engineering courses.

The successful candidate will teach and support hands-on undergraduate laboratories, including structures and dynamics, materials, thermal-fluids, instrumentation, design, or related mechanical engineering laboratory experiences. The Instructor will work closely with faculty course coordinators, laboratory faculty directors, department staff, and the machine shop supervisor to support safe, effective, well-maintained, and practice-oriented instructional laboratories.

Primary Responsibilities

• Teach, coordinate, or support hands-on undergraduate mechanical engineering laboratories, with possible assignments in Structures and Dynamics Lab, Materials Lab, Thermal-Fluids Lab, instrumentation, design, or related laboratory courses.
• Teach undergraduate mechanical engineering or engineering science courses as assigned, based on departmental needs and the candidate's expertise.
• Develop, revise, and assess laboratory manuals, experiments, safety procedures, demonstrations, project-based activities, and course materials.
• Work collaboratively with faculty laboratory directors, course coordinators, department staff, and the machine shop supervisor to support laboratory safety, equipment readiness, maintenance coordination, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor undergraduate students in laboratory practice, engineering problem solving, professional conduct, and safe use of equipment and facilities.
• Contribute to ABET-related assessment, curriculum coordination, laboratory documentation, department service, and other continuous-improvement activities.

Join the Ole Miss Family — Build Your Legacy Here!

Job Responsibilities:

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering field by the appointment start date.
• Relevant laboratory, instructional, technical, or hands-on engineering experience.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to teach and supervise hands-on undergraduate engineering laboratory experiences.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Commitment to safe, student-centered, inclusive, and professionally rigorous engineering education, as demonstrated through teaching, mentoring, laboratory, professional, or related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering field.
• Experience teaching, coordinating, or supporting undergraduate laboratories in structures and dynamics, materials, thermal-fluid sciences, instrumentation, design, manufacturing, or related mechanical engineering areas.
• Experience developing or modernizing laboratory experiments, safety documentation, assessment tools, lab manuals, or project-based learning activities.
• Experience working with machine shop, fabrication, instrumentation, testing, or mechanical systems in an instructional, industrial, or applied engineering setting.
• Evidence of student-centered teaching, undergraduate mentoring, course assessment, ABET-related documentation, or structured curriculum improvement.

Application Procedures

Application materials should include:
A cover letter addressing qualifications, laboratory teaching interests, industry or professional engineering experience, and fit with the department's instructional needs.
A current curriculum vitae.
A statement describing laboratory teaching experience, instructional approach, and experience with hands-on, project-based, safety-focused, or practice-oriented engineering education.
Names and contact information for three professional references.

Questions regarding the position may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Damian Stoddard, at dlstodda@olemiss.edu.

Education Qualifications:

Master's (Required)

Experience:

Related Experience

Interview Requirement:

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement:

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.