• Assistant Professor of Energy & Environment

    Rice University (Houston, TX)


    Assistant Professor of Energy & Environment

     

    Tenure-Track Faculty Opening

     

    in Mechanical Engineering at Rice University

     

    https://mech.rice.edu/

     

    https://engineering.rice.edu/

     

    https://www.rice.edu/

    Position Description

    The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University, located in Houston, TX, seeks applications for one tenure-track Assistant Professor position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. The department is particularly interested in someone with a research focus on energy and the environment. Our priorities are in those thematic areas connected to the thermal-fluids ( fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer) ; however, we are open to outstanding candidates in a ll areas related to Mechanical Engineering, including but not limited to controls, dynamics, robotics, design, and solid mechanics.

     

    The selected candidate will be expected to teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses within their expertise; perform high-quality research in their specialized area and present findings from their research in peer-reviewed publications and conferences; establish a strong research program supported by extramural funding; be involved in service to the university and broader scientific community; and collaborate with faculty in diverse disciplines. The successful candidate will be required to have a strong commitment to teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds.

     

    We welcome the fullness of diversity to Rice. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Also, in our candidate pools, we seek to attract greater representation of women, scholars of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who have historically been underrepresented in mechanical engineering; attract students from a wide range of countries and backgrounds; accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff varied in background and thought; and maintain an environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our community.

     

    About the Department of Mechanical Engineering

     

    The Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of nine academic departments in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, which generates over $110 million in annual research expenditures. The department has seventeen tenure-track faculty conducting innovative research in areas such as robotics, biomedical systems, thermal fluids, mechanical design, tribology, and dynamics and controls to address a range of societal issues and challenges. The department and school are in a period of growth, and investment in engineering is a priority for the university. Faculty are engaged in a range of external collaborations, due in part to our close proximity to NASA, the Texas Medical Center, and the energy industry.

     

    About the School of Engineering and Computing

     

    Rice University's George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing is a top-ranked program that empowers the next generation of leaders with strong technical and communication skills, creative problem solving and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

     

    About Rice University

     

    Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s dynamic Museum District and adjacent to the Texas Medical Center. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools and has a student body of approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. Rice consistently ranks among the top 20 national universities and the top 10 in undergraduate teaching (US News & World Report); its endowment ranks among the top 20 of US universities.

     

    All candidates must have earned a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering or a related field conferred by the year employment commences and professional experience consistent with the position rank.

     

    All applicants should demonstrate excellence in scholarship, teaching, and collegial service.

     

    Review of applications will commence November 1, 2025, and candidates are encouraged to apply early to b e given full consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until December 15, 2025 .

     

    To apply, please submit the following materials through Interfolio: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) research statement (up to 3 pages), (4) statement of teaching philosophy (up to 2 pages), and (5) a statement describing how you would contribute to the development of a broadly inclusive learning community at Rice through your teaching, research, and/or service (up to 2 pages).

     

    In addition, candidates will be asked to provide the names and contact information for 4-5 references, who will be solicited for letters of recommendation if a candidate advances to the Zoom interview stage.

     

    Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

     

    Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University (https://www.rice.edu/mission-values#xd\_co\_f=NzhlYjAxZjUtZDM4Yi00N2VkLTkwODAtYjdkNzE0ZmUwZTA3~)