The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (https://me.engin.umich.edu/) is seeking to fill a full-time lecturer position for a three-year appointment, with possible renewal, that will begin in the Winter 2025 semester. The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking a dynamic lecturer to coordinate and teach the Mechanical Engineering senior capstone design class (ME 450). Typical enrollment in ME450 is 110-130 students per semester. The Lecturer's main responsibilities include:
- Student Education: Teach the design process, from front end design to verification and validation including topics such as: exploring stakeholder needs and current engineering knowledge, defining requirements and specifications, generating creative engineering concepts, analyzing engineering systems, and verifying and validating solutions to demonstrate student ideas are valuable to the project sponsors. Also teach design mindsets and skills pertaining to socially engaged design and life cycle project management.
- Team Supervision: Supervise 5-6 student teams, with 4-5 students per team, on their project activities. Conduct engaging and interactive oral and written design reviews throughout the term.
- Project Development: Collaborate with industry, community, entrepreneurial, and academic sponsors to create 40-60 challenging mechanical engineering design projects annually. Ensure the opportunity for a rich, one-semester design experience.
- Instructional Coordination: Lead the instructional team (typically 4-6 faculty members in addition to several graduate student instructors, instructional aides, and supporting staff members) in developing the syllabus and delivering the learning content. Collaborate with machine shop and mechatronic instructors, in addition to managing instructional resources, lab spaces, and events.
- Course Quality and Improvement: Maintain course quality and spearhead continuous improvement initiatives in partnership with a faculty coordination team. Organize annual retreats for faculty involved in ME 450.
The Lecturer will be appointed on a 9 month Academic Year appointment with additional pay through the summer to work on specific ME 450 improvement projects and to prepare for the next academic year.
More information about ME 450 can be found at: https://me450.engin.umich.edu/
Qualifications include either (a) an earned PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field or (b) a Masters degree with significant teaching in engineering and/or professional experience in engineering practice. In addition, all applicants should have a strong commitment to teaching as demonstrated by their resume and statement of teaching interests and philosophy.
We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their teaching and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. To apply, please submit a cover letter, current CV, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement, teaching statement, and list of professional references to the University of Michigan Mechanical Engineering website: https://me.engin.umich.edu/lecturersearch. Application deadline is July 15, 2025.
This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Michigan Engineering seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitments to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill the College’s Guiding Principles, and sustain the excellence of the College of Engineering.
To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion visit: https://www.engin.umich.edu/about/diversity/
To learn more about the College of Engineering strategic vision visit: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer.
