Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Position
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks applications for a tenure-track faculty position (assistant/associate/full) in the area of autonomy, navigation and mapping. Specifically, this open-rank position seeks applicants specializing in one or more areas of autonomy, perception, navigation, localization and mapping, and sensor fusion. The ideal candidate will contribute to ongoing research at Virginia Tech and will collaborate with existing faculty in robotics, automotive and aerospace fields in the development of autonomous vehicle/robotic systems. Candidates interested in enhancing navigation in complex environments for multi-agent systems, and ensuring uncrewed vehicle/robotic systems can operate safely and efficiently in diverse and unpredictable settings are encouraged to apply.
This position will have valuable opportunities for interdisciplinary research and fostering innovation across departments. We aim to integrate strengths in robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and control systems to drive forward the state-of-the-art in autonomous technology. Additionally, the successful candidate will contribute to our educational mission by teaching core courses in robotics and controls, developing new specialized courses, and mentoring undergraduate/graduate students in advanced autonomous systems topics. We are seeking candidates motivated to contribute to a collegial, interdisciplinary community with a strong tradition of both fundamental and applied research.
The department currently has 76 faculty members and is home to over 1,250 undergraduate and 350 graduate students. Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT— serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges report, the College of Engineering’s undergraduate program ranks 13th and the graduate program ranks 31st among all U.S. engineering schools and the Mechanical Engineering Department’s undergraduate program ranks 13th and the graduate program ranks 17th. The Mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. Our core values are inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, perseverance, and stewardship.
Virginia Tech's main campus is located in Blacksburg, VA, in an area consistently ranked among the country's best places to live. In addition, our program in the Washington, D.C., area offers unique proximity to government and industry partners and is also expanding rapidly, with Virginia Tech's exciting new Innovation Campus in Alexandria, VA slated to open in early 2025.
The successful candidate will have a PhD in mechanical engineering or a closely related field, a strong record of academic accomplishments and a proven ability to work collaboratively, a commitment to interdisciplinary research and instruction, and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries to address complex technical and societal challenges.
Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu (posting number 531063). Application materials include a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three professional references. In addition, applicants must provide a research statement, a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy, and a statement describing the candidate’s ideas for supporting an equitable and inclusive educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community; in this document, specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who can support and extend our university’s commitment to inclusive excellence. Each of the statements can be up to 3 pages in length.
Review of applications will commence on November 8th 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Kevin Kochersberger at kbk@vt.edu (540-231-5589).
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