The Mechanical Engineering department at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering invites applications and nominations for an open-rank tenured/tenure-track faculty position to begin in the fall of 2026. This position is part of our commitment to establishing an interdisciplinary Energy Cluster aimed at addressing grand societal and scientific challenges.
The successful candidate(s) will have expertise that aligns with our strategic mission to enhance research and education in the broad field of engineered materials for energy applications. Areas of particular focus include, but are not limited to:
- Synthesis of energy materials
- Theoretical understanding through first-principles calculations and AI
- Novel energy conversion, storage and transport techniques
- Intelligent materials-based energy systems
Candidates who can contribute to the interdisciplinary strength of the Energy Cluster—or those with novel applications of emerging technologies related to energy materials—are highly encouraged to apply.
This hiring initiative reflects our dedication to strengthening collaboration across disciplines within the School of Engineering. We believe that through the Energy Cluster, we can elevate our research capacity, advance the frontiers of knowledge, and train the next generation of engineering leaders to uncover new insights and identify solutions to the key challenges outlined in our strategic plan: improving health for all humans, ensuring a sustainable planet, enhancing national security, and innovating beyond Earth.
About the Department and University
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University includes 22 primary faculty members (16 tenured/tenure-track), 8 staff members, approximately 280 undergraduate students, and 70 Ph.D. students. The department maintains a vibrant research environment with annual research expenditures of approximately $8 million. Our faculty are internationally recognized for research excellence in areas such as surgical robotics and rehabilitation engineering, nanophotonics, nanoscale energy transport, biomaterials and biomedical microdevices, fluid-structure interaction, combustion diagnostics, and additive manufacturing.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering fosters a highly collegial environment with a strong culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary research. Faculty members play integral roles in several major research centers at Vanderbilt, including the Vanderbilt Institute of Surgery and Engineering (VISE), Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE), the FRIST Center for Autism and Innovation, and the newly established Institute for National Security, Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy, and Climate (VSEC). In addition to internal collaborations, the department has established extensive partnerships beyond the University, most notably with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which is co-located on the same campus.
Ranked #17 nationally according to the U.S. News and World Report, Vanderbilt University is a private, internationally recognized research university located on 330 park-like acres 1.5 miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Its 11 distinct schools, including the newly established College of Connected Computing, share a single cohesive campus that values collaboration. The University enrolls over 13,700 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, with women comprising over 50% of both the overall undergraduate student body and recent cohorts in the School of Engineering.
With over two million metro population, Nashville’s top employers include trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; professional and business services; government; and leisure and hospitality. Other industries include manufacturing, financial activities, construction, and information. Long known as a hub for health care and music, Nashville is a technology center with a considerable pool of health care, AI, and defense-related jobs available. In recent years, the city has experienced an influx of major office openings by some of the largest global tech companies and prime Silicon Valley startups.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related fields by the time of appointment. The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Establish a nationally recognized research program supported by extramural funding.
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical engineering and materials science. Vanderbilt emphasizes excellence in teaching and mentoring next generation engineers and a successful candidate is expected to either become a highly effective educator (for tenure-track applicants) or with a proven track-record of teaching and mentoring excellence (for tenured applicants).
- Contribute to departmental, school-wide, and university-wide initiatives, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Application Instructions
Applications should include the following materials to be submitted online at https://apply.interfolio.com/174777. Applications will be reviewed as they are received; those received by December 1, 2025, will be given full consideration.
- Cover letter
- Complete curriculum vitae
- Statement of research interests, highlighting potential collaborative opportunities within and beyond the Energy Cluster
- Statement of teaching philosophy, including innovative approaches to teaching and curriculum development
- Service statement (required only for tenured applicants)
- Contact information for at least three references
