Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga: College of Engineering and Computer Science: Mechanical Engineering

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Description:

The Mechanical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga invites applications for multiple tenure-track Assistant Professor positions beginning Fall 2026.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering preferred). Additionally, applicants will have a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field. The successful candidates should have the following attributes:

• Demonstrated research interest in one of the following areas:
• Thermal-fluid science
• Advanced material science and mechanics
• Energy conversion and storage systems
• Experience in modeling and simulation or a combination of experimental and computational methods, with preference given to those with expertise in AI-assisted, data-driven modeling, such as scientific machine learning.
• Be able to teach existing undergraduate- and graduate-level courses and potentially develop new courses within their field of expertise.
• Expected to establish strong externally funded research programs, be committed to scholarly publication activity, and be engaged in service to the profession and the university.
• Collaborate with existing faculty members within the department and across campus, including various research centers such as the UTC Quantum Center and convergent research initiatives within the UTC Research Institute, such as Nanotechnology in Engineering.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their teaching competency and articulate their plan for developing and sustaining an externally funded research program. Review of candidates will begin immediately, with full consideration given to those who apply by January 5, 2026. Applications must include a cover letter, a teaching statement, a research statement, and a curriculum vitae, including names, title, and contact information of at least three references.

About UTC:

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee's largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs-at both the master's and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga-nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation-are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.

Colleges at UTC:

Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.

Conclusion:

From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.