Assistant Professor – Robotics – Mechanical Engineering

Assistant Professor – Robotics – Mechanical Engineering 24-02

Tenure-Track Faculty Position Announcement

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Faculty Hire Number: #24-02

Rank: Assistant Professor

Effective Date of Appointment: August 21, 2024 (Subject to Budgetary Approval)

Salary: $98,000 – $102,000 (Dependent upon qualifications)

CSUN’s Commitment to You:

CSUN is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. Our values include a respect for all people, building partnerships with the community and the encouragement of innovation, experimentation, and creativity. CSUN strives to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. CSUN is especially interested in candidates who make contributions to equity and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence for all members of the university community.

As a Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI), inclusiveness and diversity are integral to CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. As of Fall 2022, CSUN enrolls ~38,000 students, where 57.3% are Latinx, 19.8% are White, 9.2% are Asian-American, 4.9% are Black/African American, 0.1% are Native American, and 0.2% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

For more information about the University, visit: http://www.csun.edu

About the College:

For more information about the College of Engineering and Computer Science, see: https://www.csun.edu/engineering-computer-science

About the Department:

For more information about the Department of Mechanical Engineering, see: https://www.csun.edu/engineering-computer-science/mechanical-engineering

Position:

The department of Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is seeking a tenure-track faculty member in autonomous systems, robotics, and mechatronics areas at the rank of assistant professor.

The successful candidate will teach courses in the areas of mechatronics and robotic systems:

• robotic systems (kinematics, dynamics, and controls)
• mechatronics and bioinstrumentation
• autonomous intelligent vehicle

and have research interests in robotics and cyber physical systems, (for example: soft robotics, medical robotics, bioinspired robotics including sensing and actuation), and autonomous vehicle systems. Outstanding candidates with hands-on practices and research experience in robotic systems are invited to apply.

In addition to teaching, the position requires weekly office hours, attending faculty meetings, participation in assessment of student learning, and service to the department, college, and university. The successful candidate will be held to the standards and requirements of the college and department in which he/she/they is/are housed for recommending tenure and promotion. Given CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement in a diverse environment, the successful candidate will help the Department achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.

Candidates should be able to teach the core content of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as possess the ability to develop and supervise hands-on projects for the senior design culminating experience. In line with CSUN’s instructional approach, candidates should develop proficiency with learning-centered and active learning strategies and demonstrate a commitment to implementation of these in the curriculum. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate pursuit of approaches which promote retention of students from culturally diverse backgrounds.

The ability to develop and conduct an effective multidisciplinary research program in one of the research areas highlighted above should be evident. Candidates are expected to pursue external funding from the state, federal, and private entities, supervise student research at the undergraduate and graduate level, and publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment and ability to teach, mentor and work with an ethnically diverse student population. Proficiency in both written and oral communication in English is required.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely-related field from an accredited institution by the date of appointment (ABDs may apply, but the doctorate must be completed by the date of appointment)
• College or University-level teaching experience in a related field (robotic systems including kinematics, dynamics and controls, mechatronics, and instrumentation), either in-person and online
• Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely-related field from an accredited institution
• Evidence of research publications in peer reviewed journals and/or conference proceedings (publications evidence in the related field within the past 3 years)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of effective engagement OR potential to engage with a diverse student body
• Experience using culturally responsive pedagogy that leads to equitable outcomes for all students
• Experience creating a student-centered learning environment
• Hands-on Research/Lab experience that includes working with students from diverse backgrounds
• Experience adopting inclusive approaches to mentoring
• Post-doctoral experience in the USA
• A record of receiving grant funding or potential for receiving external funding from state, federal, and private companies.

Application Deadline:

Screening of applications will begin September 15, 2023. Priority will be given to applicants who meet the screening deadline; however, the position will remain open until filled.

How to Apply:

Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN online application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers

Applicants must submit the following to the website in the section above: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, and the names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three referees who can address the candidate’s teaching, research, and service qualifications. Applicants must submit a cover letter that specifically addresses the following: 1) how you would make a unique contribution to the department; 2) your teaching experience and philosophy, 3) a preliminary plan for establishing your independent research program; 4) your experience working with a culturally diverse population. In later phases of the search process, applicants may be requested to provide additional materials, including letters of recommendation, professional work samples, and work produced through student mentoring.

At time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work in the United States.