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Open Rank Professor - RoboticsAbout the University:
Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System , Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.
About the College:
The Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech University comprises seven academic departments: Electrical & Computer, Chemical, Civil & Environmental & Construction, Industrial, Mechanical, Petroleum, and Computer Science. It offers over thirty degree-programs to nearly 6,600 students, including more than 1,300 graduate students. Research funding has seen significant growth, with awards totaling $36 million in FY’24. The college’s major research strengths include wind science & engineering, pulsed power and power electronics, microscale and nanoscale devices and semiconductor materials, medical imaging, bioengineering, energetics, intelligent software systems, and polymer materials. Texas Tech University, classified as a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, enrolls approximately 40,000 students across 10 colleges.
About the Department/School/Area:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering awarded 283 undergraduate, 38 MS and 16 PhD degrees in AY 2024-25. Department enrollment includes 1739 undergraduate students and 148 graduate students. Among the 33 tenure-track, tenured, research professors and professors of practice, roughly 30% are women and minorities. In recent years, department faculty have been awarded nearly 4 million dollars in externally sponsored research, of which 70% was from federal sources. Faculty are known for cited work on bio-inspired devices, computational mechanics, vortex dynamics, turbulence, microfluidics, nanoimprinting, physiological microstructure and translational nutrition, cardiovascular dynamics, nanomedicine, energetic and biological materials, and robust control methods. Department faculty recognitions and awards include membership in the US National Academy of Engineering and foreign Academies of Engineering and the Sciences, recognitions as Thomson-Reuters highly cited scholars, PECASE, Young Investigator DOD awards, and NSF CAREER awards. For more information about the mechanical engineering department, please visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/me/ .
Position Description:
The DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING in the Edward J. Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech University (TTU) invites applications for one full-time, 9 month, tenure-track Open Rank Professor in Robotics beginning in the Fall of 2026. The areas of interest are emerging areas of mechanical and aerospace engineering research with a preference for applicants working in robotics, systems engineering or related emerging areas. This search is for all ranks of faculty, i.e., Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Full Professor.
All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.
Major/Essential Functions:
In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with a breadth of student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.
Successful candidates will be expected to develop an externally funded, independent research program and collaborate with TTU faculty across various academic units. Candidates who have very strong records of scholarship supported by extramural funding, and who have the proven capacity or clear potential to bring externally sponsored research to TTU are encouraged to apply. Teaching courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels is essential. Experience working with diverse student populations and first-generation students is highly desirable. Professional service as well as service to the department, college, and university is expected.
Required Qualifications:
The applicant must hold at time of start date (9/1/2026) a doctoral (or equivalent) degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a closely related field. This position is designated as involving access to critical infrastructure systems and/or research, as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-48. As such, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check prior to employment. Employees are required to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations related to the protection of critical infrastructure. Ongoing employment is dependent upon maintaining eligibility for access and successfully passing periodic security and compliance reviews.
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed research. Research expertise in robotics, systems engineering, or novel emerging areas. Experience in teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. Experience in service or outreach activities. Safety Information:
Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are the responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please include the following documents in your application:
Detailed Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter Statement of Research Interests Statement of Teaching Interests List of references Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Gordon Christopher, Search Committee Chair. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at hrs.recruiting@ttu.edu or 806-742-3851.
Application Process
The deadline to submit applications is on January 5, 2026.
To ensure full consideration, please complete an online application at: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25898&siteid=5637#jobDetails=900985_5637
