Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Multiple Openings at Rochester Institute of Technology in RIT Main Location

Job description

RIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering invites applications for three tenure-track Assistant Professor positions. We seek highly motivated individuals who are committed to excellence in both research and teaching and are eager to contribute to a vibrant academic community. We are specifically looking for candidates in each of the three following broad areas: Digital Twins in Mechanical Engineering and Design . Interests include but are not limited to: physics-informed and hybrid physics-ML modeling; digital twins for engineering design and manufacturing, including AI-assisted and generative design, additive manufacturing, and product lifecycle; and uncertainty quantification, verification and validation, and real-time model updating for decision-ready digital twins. Controls, Systems, and Sensors Interests include but are not limited to: dynamics and control of robotic and autonomous systems; cyber-physical systems, including estimation, learning-based control, and system integration; and sensors and sensor systems, spanning physical, bio-, and electrochemical sensors, including printed, flexible, and wearable devices. Composite Materials in Aerospace Applications Interests include but are not limited to: AI-enabled design and discovery of composite materials; autonomous/intelligent manufacturing of composites; composite materials for extreme environments; and damage prediction and structural health monitoring. Candidates should only apply to one position that best aligns with their expertise and should clearly indicate the position in their cover letter. Successful candidates are expected to build and sustain a strong externally funded research program, advise Ph.D. and master's students, develop and teach undergraduate and graduate classes, advise undergraduate researchers and design teams, and work collaboratively to advance the department's goals. We are seeking individuals who are able and interested in contributing to a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT’s core values , honor code . Questions for the search committee should be directed to Dr. Xudong Zheng ( xxzeme@rit.edu ). For full consideration, please submit your application by Friday, November 6, 2026 . Department/College Description: With over 1000 undergraduate and graduate students, the Mechanical Engineering Department is the largest of the six academic departments in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. It is currently experiencing significant growth, with enrollment on track to increase by 30% in the upcoming years. The department currently includes 23 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 15 lecturers, and 11 staff members. The department offers a BS in Mechanical Engineering with options in automotive engineering, aerospace engineering, energy and the environment, and bioengineering and an accelerated BS-ME/MS program. Graduate programs include an MS and ME in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Faculty research is supported by a wide range of core facilities across campus including a fully staffed mechanical engineering machine shop providing machining, fabrication, design, and manufacturing services. The University houses 17 Research Centers and Institutes , including the AMPrint Center for Additive Manufacturing and Multifunctional Printing , a NY State Center for Advanced Technology , the Battery Prototyping and Testing Center , the Center for Human-aware AI, the NanoPower Research Laboratories, Personalized Healthcare Technology, and the Center for Innovation in Manufacturing and Sustainability , as well as many others. Additional resources include the high-performance computing cluster through RIT Research Computing and the Semiconductor Nanofabrication Laboratory with state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities. The Kate Gleason College of Enginee