Assistant Professor

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

January 31, 2027

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor

Business Title:

Assistant Professor

Employee Type:

Faculty

9 Month - Summer

The Opportunity:

The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture (VCEA) at Washington State University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor rank in Pullman, WA. MME seeks to strengthen its capabilities in robotics and autonomous systems, with an emphasis on intelligent robotic systems designed to operate in complex, unstructured, and dynamic environments.

The search is intentionally broad across robotics and autonomy. Relevant application domains include, but are not limited to, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, environmental monitoring, nuclear systems, underwater and marine robotics, infrastructure inspection, construction, disaster response, and other real-world and mission-critical applications.

Candidates whose work can complement and create new collaborations with MME’s existing strengths in advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, nuclear engineering, and related areas are particularly encouraged. It is anticipated the successful candidate will begin their appointment on August 16, 2027.

Job Duties:

The successful candidate is expected to establish an internationally recognized, externally funded research program that advances the autonomy, intelligence, robustness, and reliability of next-generation robotic systems. The candidate will collaborate with current faculty to build interdisciplinary teams and contribute to excellence in teaching, mentoring, and service.

We seek candidates with a strong foundation in robotics and autonomous systems. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, robot perception, sensing, navigation and localization, planning and control, manipulation, robot learning, embodied AI, human–robot interaction, multi-robot systems, mechatronics, robotic system integration, and autonomous decision-making for physical robotic systems operating in real-world environments.

Candidates who integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning with physical robotic systems are particularly encouraged to apply. Research that connects robotics with the School’s existing strengths—including advanced manufacturing and materials—is welcomed, but the candidate’s primary scholarly identity should be in robotics and autonomous systems. The successful candidate should be capable of developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in robotics and related areas, including mechatronics, system dynamics, control systems, introduction to robotics, robot dynamics, and other courses aligned with the department’s educational mission and the candidate’s expertise. The typical workload for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position within MME is 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service.

This is a full-time (100% FTE), 9-month, tenure-track faculty position. This position is not eligible for overtime.

Screening date: First consideration will be provided to applications submitted before November 1, 2026. Review of applications will remain ongoing until the posting close date of January 31, 2027.

9-month Academic Salary: $100,000 - $115,000 USD | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field by the date of hire.

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to building a world-class research program at WSU through publication of peer-reviewed research in leading journals and conferences, with potential to secure external research funding.

• Proven or potential for successful teaching and instruction.

• Demonstrated record of or potential for commitment to equitable and inclusive educational experiences and service in alignment with WSU’s land grant mission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated record of accomplishments and potential to become an outstanding scholar and educator in robotics and autonomous systems.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in robotics and related areas, such as mechatronics, dynamics, controls, and robot dynamics.

• Demonstrated record or potential to become a national and international leader in robotics and autonomous systems, particularly in the development of intelligent robotic systems for real-world, unstructured, and dynamic environments.

• Strong commitment to building a robust, externally funded research program and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, including opportunities to connect robotics with MME strengths in advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, nuclear engineering, and related areas.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: May be eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus - learn more about the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Area/College: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Department Name: School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Location: WSU Pullman Campus - Pullman, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application.

• A cover letter addressing qualifications for this position as well as a response to the following prompt: "As a land-grant university, our university has a continuing commitment to ensuring equitable and meaningful inclusion in our classrooms, collaborations, and research excellence. Please explain how your research and teaching interests align with our mission."

• Curriculum vitae.

• Research statement (3 pages maximum) describing the applicant’s research accomplishments and future research plans.

• Teaching statement (2 pages maximum) describing the applicant’s teaching experience, philosophy, and interests.

• Name, addresses, and contact information of at least four references who can address your history of and potential for excellence in research, teaching, and service (letters will be requested at a later time).

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Contact: Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Ming Luo, [email protected].

About WSU, Pullman, VCEA, and MME:
Washington State University, a land-grant, multiple-campus Research 1 institution. This position will serve on the Pullman campus, which has an enrollment of around 20,000 students and is located in Southeastern Washington on the homelands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe and Palus people. Located 80 miles south of metropolitan Spokane, Pullman is also a quick drive away from the scenic Idaho panhandle and Moscow Mountain. The rolling hills of the Palouse offer a wide range of activities and a true four-season climate. The area provides ample opportunity to enjoy the cultural and academic hub of both Washington State University and the University of Idaho, in the neighboring town of Moscow, Idaho. With a population of 34,000, Pullman is a quintessential college town—ranked #1 in the “Best Cities to Live in Washington” by the Washington State Chamber of Commerce 2019 report; and recognized by Bloomberg Businessweek as the “Best Place to Raise Kids” in Washington state. For more information about the region, please refer to https://pullmanchamber.com.

Washington State University is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the participation of women in academic science and engineering careers. Washington State University is building a culturally diverse faculty and strongly encourages applications from women and minority groups. Washington State University is also pro-active in exploring opportunities for the employment of spouses, both inside and outside the University. MME currently has over 1000 students and 40 faculty members. The current annual extramural research expenditure in MME is nearly $14 million. With the motto, “Work ready day one,” the School of MME (www.mme.wsu.edu) prides itself in its collegial environment, with multiple campuses across the state, close to key industry partners in nuclear, aerospace, and naval engineering. Our students are world-class, with many winning nationally and internationally competitive awards as individuals or teams. About one-quarter of our undergraduate students participate in engineering clubs, and many participate in undergraduate research. Our faculty exhibits excellence in both teaching and research, and we sustain multiple internationally recognized research programs in healthcare, manufacturing, energy, robotics, and advanced materials. MME has unique research centers, including the Nuclear Science Center, the Institute of Materials Research, the Hydrogen Properties for Energy Research Center, and the Institute for Shock Physics. The proximity of the Pullman campus to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) provides exciting opportunities for our students and faculty, including joint appointments with PNNL for successful candidates.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Full time

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].

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More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/