Nuclear Term Faculty

The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering (MNE) of the College of Engineering (CoE) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for a teaching-focused, non-tenure track appointment, starting in Fall of 2026 with opportunities for promotion through the teaching faculty ranks. The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence, curriculum development, student mentoring, and service to the MNE department’s educational mission. Outstanding educators with expertise in Nuclear Engineering, who are also capable of making substantial contributions to the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering curriculum, are invited to submit their applications.

VCU is a Carnegie R1 “Very High Research Activity” university, ranking among the top 100 U.S. universities and among the top 50 public universities in federal R&D expenditures, with more than $500 million in sponsored research funding. Located in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, VCU fosters innovation through strong community and industry partnerships, creating exceptional opportunities for faculty and students.

As part of the premier urban research university in Virginia’s capital city, VCU’s mechanical and nuclear engineering department enrolls over 600 students and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, including a new graduate program in aerospace engineering. The department faculty collaborates closely with many VCU schools and departments, including VCU’s MCV (medical) campus, and has a robust record of extramurally funded research in areas such as advanced materials, nuclear science, thermal fluid systems, computational mechanics, aerosol particle technology, and drug delivery. Our graduate program and online master’s program are ranked among the best in the nation by US News and World Report and attract top students from across the U.S. and globally. Additional information about the department’s programs and faculty may be found at https://egr.vcu.edu/departments/mechanical-nuclear-engineering/.

Embarked on rapid growth, the MNE department has 25 tenure-track, tenured, and term faculty members. The MNE department boasts exceptional achievements in various areas, including being ranked top 20 in the nation's Nuclear Engineering programs. Located in Richmond, a vibrant, art-filled and culturally rich capital city, VCU brings together individuals from all over, where there is a shared common passion for engineering, education and stewardship for the communities we represent and serve.

Position Responsibilities: The successful candidate will

• Teach several Nuclear Engineering courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• Examples include:

  • Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

  • Radiation Detection and Measurement

  • Nuclear Reactor Theory and Safety

  • Nuclear Fuel Cycle

  • Reactor and Systems Design

• Teach core undergraduate Mechanical Engineering courses.

•  Examples include:

  • Thermodynamics

  • Fluid Mechanics

  • Heat Transfer

  • Engineering Mechanics (Statics/Dynamics)

• Develop and update courses and laboratory exercises to align with ABET accreditation requirements and industry/national needs

• Engage in innovative pedagogy, including active learning, experiential learning, and integration of computational tools

• Advise and mentor undergraduate students, including capstone design projects and student organizations (e.g., ANS, WiN, ASME)