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The Lyle School of Engineering at SMU, led by the newly appointed visionary Mary and Richard Templeton Dean, Dr. Nader Jalili, invites qualified candidates for tenured faculty positions at the Associate and Full Professor levels to lead Lyle School’s esteemed Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity (“The Institute”). Minimum qualifications for this position include an earned Ph.D. in the appropriate or a closely related discipline, with experience commensurate with the rank of associate or full professor. The departments for the appointment will be determined by the backgrounds and interests of the final candidates in one of Lyle's five departments. Joint appointments either within Lyle or across SMU will also be considered. 

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of both the technological innovations required for sustainable energy solutions and the human-centered approaches that support the well-being of underserved populations. The Institute’s mission is rooted in advancing both scientific excellence and humanitarian impact. We seek candidates who are passionate about the intersection of energy research and community engagement, and who are committed to fostering inclusive and equitable solutions that address global challenges. The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Institute's work remains focused on improving the lives of marginalized communities while advancing cutting-edge research in energy and sustainability.

The Hunt Institute, in its reimagined era, will focus on critical sustainability and humanitarian challenges related to global energy issues. These challenges include fundamental and applied topics such as carbon reduction and management; energy conservation; renewable energy technologies and production; power efficiency, management, and distribution; advanced energy storage and conversion technologies; hydrogen transportation and economy; power grid management; natural gas transportation; energy modeling and artificial intelligence (AI); impacts and needs of under-resourced communities; and assessment of sustainability, access, and affordability of energy technologies and solutions.

In recent years, significant funding has been allocated to energy initiatives in the United States and SMU is an ideal location for directing this funding towards human-centered research. Texas’ $172 billion energy sector dominates both renewable and non-renewable energy in the United States. The Cox School of Business’ Maguire Energy Institute provides unique opportunities for collaboration. Dallas is also home to the Environment Protection Agency Region 6 office, as well as a large philanthropic community deeply invested in humanitarian causes. The Institute Director can build on these strengths and collaborate with faculty and students through activities such as establishing industry and government-funded collaborative research activities, promoting resilient R&D collaborations, developing outreach and education activities, and forming national and international partnerships to advance crucial technologies for under-resourced communities.

All applications should be submitted through Interfolio: https://www.smu.edu/lyle/departments/faculty-openings

Qualifications

An accomplished academic suitable for an endowed associate or full professorship with an earned Ph.D. in the appropriate or a closely related discipline, and a profound understanding of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The expertise will inspire and guide the next generation of trailblazers, bridging the gap between theory and real-world impact.

Application Instructions

Candidates are required to submit with their application a cover letter that includes research and teaching statements, a statement of leadership background and philosophy, Curriculum Vitae, and contact information for three professional references.  Successful candidates will also present a vision for continued growth and development of the institute. To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be received by November 1, 2024. The committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled and will notify applicants of its employment decisions after the position is filled. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. The start date for this position is negotiable, but the desired start date is January or August 2025.