Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Professor of Practice - 526598

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Work type: Regular Full-time (Benefits eligible)
Location: Tuscaloosa
Categories: Non-Tenure-Track/Clinical Faculty

Departments
Aerospace and Engineering Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering

Rank
Professor of Practice

Position Summary
The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME), the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM) and the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama invite applications for a renewable contract Professor of Practice that will have a 50% appointment in each department.

Detailed Position Information
The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME), the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM) and the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama invite applications for a renewable contract Professor of Practice that will have a 50% appointment in each department.

The Professor of Practice position is designed for individuals with a distinguished career in the mechanical and aerospace fields, particularly in the areas of design, project planning system engineering, sensor and hardware development, and hypersonics. The position aims to bring practical, real-world expertise to the academic environment and enhance the learning experience for students, particularly in capstone design courses and projects. The individual will contribute to the teaching, mentorship, and curriculum development within the department while also fostering connections between the academic and professional communities.

The College of Engineering, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics pride themselves on the outstanding educational experience provided to their students, and thus faculty candidates must demonstrate an ability to develop and teach classes at the undergraduate level in the faculty member's area(s) of expertise as well as to teach courses that support the delivery and accreditation of the Department's core degree programs.

Minimum Qualifications
BS degree and 25 years of experience in mechanical and/or aerospace engineering fields with a proven record of professional success and leadership.

Preferred Qualifications
BS degree or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited institution. 25+ years of experience in industry or government research facilities. Proficient in the safe use of engineering equipment and common laboratory tools. Ability to translate professional experience into relevant learning outcomes for students. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Required application documents include a: (1) cover letter that includes both the department name and rank of position for which the candidate is applying, (2) a resume/curriculum vitae, (3) the names and contact information for at least four professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately, and search will continue until the position is filled.

About the College of Engineering
As the premier flagship university for the state of Alabama and as one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering instruction, The University of Alabama has more than 175 years of proud engineering history. UA's College of Engineering is committed to conducting cutting-edge basic research that advances the frontiers of science and engineering, to translating such fundamental advancements and knowledge through applied research and technology commercialization into impactful solutions which improve the human condition and address the challenges facing humankind, and to using that immersive research environment to provide unparalleled educational experiences and opportunities for our students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a College, we pride ourselves on educating and preparing the next generations of engineering and computer science scholars and professionals who will positively shape the future around us. Through our educational, research, and service activities that support our overall vision to be one of the most impactful engineering programs in the nation, our College continues to provide leadership in the many professional disciplines represented by our College and to the community, state, and nation as we advance our professions, the economy, and the lives of all those whom we serve.

The UA College of Engineering is comprised of seven departments: (1) Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, (2) Chemical and Biological Engineering, (3) Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, (4) Computer Science, (5) Electrical and Computer Engineering, (6) Mechanical Engineering, and (7) Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. These departments currently deliver 13 different undergraduate degree programs and 15 different graduate degree programs. Overall, the College enrolls approximately 6,000 students, making it one of the largest colleges out of the more than 40,000 students on the UA campus.

While the university has been on a constant mission to advance in every aspect of its operations since its inception, The University of Alabama has in particular seen transformative growth in its research enterprise over the past decade. Through the efforts of the University, the UA Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED), and in particular the departments, centers, and faculty of the College of Engineering, UA's research enterprise has indeed surged dramatically higher in just the last five to ten years. In the last five fiscal years alone , total sponsored awards across UA have increased by more than 80% and are well on track to more than double by the end of the current strategic plan period in 2024. This growth rate strengthens UA's position as one of the two fastest growing research institutions in the nation. For the College of Engineering specifically, total research awards have well more than doubled in the last five years, growing by 250% in 2023 as compared to their level in 2018.

The educational activities of the College of Engineering and its constantly increasing volume of impactful research are enabled and supported by a tremendous combination of amazing faculty and staff, an outstanding array of modern new facilities that are the envy of its peers, and a world-class student body at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College of Engineering currently has more than 180 faculty members, and it is in a period of rapid faculty growth having added approximately 50 new faculty in the last two years and with plans to add an additional approximately 30 faculty this year. In terms of facilities, the College of Engineering has one of the largest overall footprints of any college at UA, currently occupying all or significant portions of 15 different facilities across campus. Some of the most recent additions to that space are the state-of-the-art facilities provided for many of the College's departments in the recently completed Shelby Science and Engineering Quad that was built at a cost approaching $400 million.

In addition to the traditional engineering departments and their facilities, there are also more than 10 different major research centers housed within the College that span and support a wide-ranging set of research thrust areas including: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, functional polymers and soft matter, water resources and water technology, advanced transportation and vehicle technology, and many more. These centers bring together faculty from across the College and from around the University to capitalize on emerging technological opportunities and to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing humankind and the planet both today and well into the future. In addition to these College research centers, a number of university-level research institutes and centers including the Alabama Water Institute, the Alabama Transportation Institute, the Cyber Institute, and the Alabama Mobility and Power Center, also provide support and infrastructure to an array of research thrusts and projects that engage faculty from across the College and from around the university. This synergistic combination of outstanding people, facilities, and resources will continue to fuel the College of Engineering's advancement and growth well into the future.

Overall, with its hundreds of award-winning faculty and staff members, its outstanding and growing student body, its tremendous array of state-of-the-art facilities, its diverse offerings of nationally accredited degree programs, and the strong support of its local, state, and national partners, the UA College of Engineering has positioned itself for continued success and rapid advancement as a leader in engineering science, education, and practice. The College is looking for new faculty who want to build or continue their career in a dynamic organization with truly unlimited potential.

It is indeed an exciting time to join The University of Alabama and the College of Engineering. The UA College of Engineering has recently embarked on its "Top-30+ by '30" initiative which aims to have the College and all of its departments and programs achieve top-30 impact in all dimensions of our operations. Those impacts and dimensions include offering a comprehensive set of innovative degree program covering the full spectrum of engineering and computer science fields, enrolling a number of students and conferring a number of degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to be one of the largest producers of engineering talent in the nation . click apply for full job details