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The Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University (WVU) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the general area of Robotics anticipated to start as soon as January 2025. The appointment shall be in the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering. Applicants who are focused on any area of foundational research in robotics are encouraged to apply. 

West Virginia University is designated an R1 University (Highest Research Activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The Statler College is growing and currently has seven academic departments, over 3,200 students, and 135 faculty members. The Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering (MMAE) has 30 faculty members and approximately 560 undergraduate students and 120 graduate students. 

The MMAE department annual research expenditures exceed $10 million. The department places a strong emphasis on experiential learning in its undergraduate programs, boasting numerous top-10 placements in national or international student competitions in recent years. The WVU Robotics program has a strong track record of success winning 9 national or international robotics competitions since 2011 and $900K in prize from NASA Centennial Challenges.  Robotics faculty in the MMAE Department are currently engaged in several research projects, including insect-inspired legged robotics, robotic pollination, underground robotic exploration, space robotics, and multi-agent search and rescue, amongst others. The department also hosts an NSF funded Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) site on robotics. Starting in Fall 2024, the department is housing a Bachelor of Science Robotics Engineering in partnership with the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in the Statler College, which will spur the continued growth in robotics at WVU.

Morgantown lies within a high technology corridor that includes several federal research facilities, such as the NASA Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility (IV&V), U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Additional details on the area and the university are available at http://www.morgantownwv.gov and http://www.wvu.edu

Morgantown is a safe, inclusive, and family-friendly community and is ranked among the most livable small cities in the country with a close proximity to Pittsburgh, PA, and Washington, DC. WVU provides faculty members with a supportive environment for developing a visible and productive career and a range of progressive policies to support work-life integration. WVU also offers a Dual Career Program to assist partners in their career transition and job search and belongs to the OH/Western PA/WV Higher Education Recruitment Consortium.

Qualifications

Eligible candidates must hold an earned Doctorate degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, robotics engineering, or a closely related field, at the time of appointment. The successful candidates must demonstrate the ability or potential to (1) develop and sustain an independent, internationally recognized and competitive externally-sponsored research program, (2) collaborate effectively within multi-disciplinary teams of faculty and other researchers across WVU campus, other academic and government institutions, as well as the private sector, (3) teach courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and (4) perform professional service activities within and outside the university. A notable record of peer-reviewed publications and other scholarly activities, effective communication skills, and evidence of potential to attract competitive research funding are required for this position. Candidates for the rank of Associate Professor must have an outstanding record of teaching, research, and service.

To apply for this position, visit https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities. Applicants must submit a cover letter that indicates the candidate's specialty area of interest, a curriculum vitae, a two-page research statement, reprints of 2-3 representative research publications, a two-page statement of teaching philosophy, a one-page Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan, and the contact information for at least three professional references.

Review of applications will begin on September 1, 2024. For further information, please contact Dr. Jason Gross, Chair of the MMAE Department, by e-mail (jason.gross@mail.wvu.edu), or visit our website at https://mmae.statler.wvu.edu/

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.