Assistant Professor, Tenure Track - Robotics in Mechanical Engineering

Position Overview

Organization: Mechanical Engineering

Title: Assistant Professor, Tenure Track - Robotics in Mechanical Engineering

Position Details

Position Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering, within the College of Engineering, at the University of Washington, Seattle, invites outstanding faculty candidates to apply for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position. This position is on a 9-month service period with an anticipated start date of September 16, 2026.

This position is aimed at recruiting exceptional candidates in any of the subdisciplines of Mechanical Engineering, with a particular focus on Robotics. The UW Mechanical Engineering Department has achieved international prominence in additive and advanced manufacturing, including composite materials manufacturing, biomechanics and biomedical engineering sciences, physics-based machine learning and artificial intelligence modeling and controls, energy storage and electrification, renewable energy and thermal and fluid sciences. The successful candidates will be expected to develop a strong research program on the fundamentals of Robotics, with applications to one or many of the areas of impact for which Mechanical Engineering is well-known. The successful candidate will also be expected to strengthen some of these key areas and to open new subfields with high promise at the national level and in collaboration with industry.

The successful applicants will be expected to develop an internationally recognized extramurally funded research program and to provide innovative, high-quality teaching. The candidates will also be expected to contribute to a learning environment that welcomes and values all lived experiences and points of view, collaborate with members of the department, as well as other researchers within the University and affiliated institutions, participate in the department’s teaching in the Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programs, and contribute to the mentoring, and training of graduate students in the department’s Masters and/or Ph.D. programs. Candidates are expected to propose and implement new initiatives in the undergraduate curriculum, and graduate courses in their areas of expertise, as well as activities to involve students from all backgrounds in research.

The ME Department at the University of Washington is in a significant and sustained growth period and seeks to build on existing strengths while expanding its impact. Candidates with a strong background in any area of Mechanical Engineering are encouraged to apply. We want to emphasize that the individual’s excellence in research, as clearly identified by a record of publication in archival journals and presentations at top international conferences, is more important than the specific area of sub-specialization.

The University of Washington, located in Seattle, Washington, the heart of the high-tech Pacific Northwest, is one of the world’s leading universities, ranking No. 8 in Best Global Universities in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report (https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings). The College of Engineering and the ME Department foster a highly collegial and collaborative culture. The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

The Mechanical Engineering department’s research and teaching portfolio covers all aspects in the broad field of mechanical engineering. The department currently has 45 tenured, tenure track, research and teaching faculty, over 700 undergraduates, 250 Master’s students, 160 PhD students and 30 postdoctoral researchers, and continues to grow. More information about the ME department is available at http://www.me.washington.edu.

The base salary range for this position will be $12,000-$17,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. The successful applicant will be expected to provide innovative, high-quality teaching; to develop a vigorous, externally-funded research program; and to contribute to the goals and missions of the department, college, and university.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD or foreign equivalent doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

Instructions

Applications should include: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statements of research plans and educational experience and philosophy, and 4) a statement of how they have contributed to diversity, equity and inclusion at the previous institutions they have been affiliated with and how they plan to contribute to the UW’s efforts and goals in DEI. The applicant should also provide the names and contact information for at least three references and copies of their three most significant publications.

Applications can be submitted at: https://apply.interfolio.com/175651. Review of applications will begin Dec 15, 2025, with applications accepted until the position is filled. Additional questions may be addressed to MEChair@uw.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

Benefits Information

The University is committed to providing excellent benefits to our faculty. For a summary of available benefits, please see UWHR benefits information.

Privacy Notice

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Disability Services

The University of Washington 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 the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.