Assistant Professor

The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering (MNE) of the College of Engineering (CoE) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position, starting in Spring of 2027.

VCU’s College of Engineering was established in 1996 as a public-private partnership to address the need for engineering innovation in a 21st-century economy. Under a new Dean of Engineering, the college is undergoing exceptional transformations, expanding its interdisciplinary research and educational offerings, and aiming for excellence in impactful thematic areas of global significance. VCU Engineering’s research collaborations with industry, community, and academic partners regularly yield breakthroughs in pharmaceutical engineering; smart cities, sustainability, and clean energy; materials development; health care, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, and medical device development; data science and better security for cyber and cyber-physical systems. Its multidisciplinary, entrepreneurial approach to engineering education immerses undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in meaningful research investigations throughout their studies.

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's 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, manufacturing, nuclear science and engineering, thermal-fluid systems, computational mechanics, aerosol particle technology, and drug delivery. The college is starting a new degree program in Robotics and Autonomous Systems in Fall 2026.  Our graduate and online master’s programs are ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and attract top students from across the U.S. and globally. Additional information about the department’s programs and faculty can be found at https://egr.vcu.edu/departments/mechanical/.

The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering (MNE) boasts exceptional achievements, including a top-20 national ranking for its nuclear engineering program. Located in Richmond, Virginia, VCU’s College of Engineering offers a vibrant mix of history, culture, and real-world opportunities, united by a shared passion for engineering, education, and service to the communities we represent.

Position: Applications are being sought for a tenure-track assistant professor position. The areas of priority interest are in Radiation Detection and Measurement, Radiochemistry, and/or Molten Salt Chemistry & Corrosion. The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering offers an ABET-accredited BS in Mechanical Engineering with a separately ABET-accredited Major Concentration in Nuclear Engineering, as well as MS and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Teaching : The faculty member will be required to teach courses within the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering curriculum and to mentor students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Courses will include undergraduate and/or graduate Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering courses as well as courses in the ENGR curriculum (as appropriate).
2. Research : Faculty at the Assistant Professor rank will be required to have an established research agenda and a clear potential for external funding, as appropriate, and potential for scholarship or creative expression to complement and expand existing expertise in the department and the College of Engineering.  
3. Service : The faculty member will be involved with service activities for the department, the College, the University, and for professional and scientific organizations. 

Qualifications:

Applicants should possess a PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline and demonstrate the ability to teach and conduct research in nuclear engineering. Applicants with experience in Radiation Detection and Measurement, Radiochemistry, and/or Molten Salt Chemistry & Corrosion are strongly encouraged to apply.  The candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, student mentoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  Candidates should demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and have an outstanding publication record. Candidates will be required to have an established research agenda, a clear potential for external funding, and a potential for scholarship to complement and expand existing expertise in the department. Particularly attractive is experience demonstrating an ability to initiate interdisciplinary research and educational synergies across multiple areas. Collaborations are encouraged with other VCU units such as the Medical Campus, the Schools of Business and the Arts, and the College of Humanities and Sciences. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU. 

Application/Nomination: Applicants for this tenure-track position should submit their cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of their teaching plans and philosophy, a description of their current and future research, and the names of four references (references will be contacted on top choice candidates only).  Only complete applications will be considered.  The application is best received by September 7, 2026. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. The position is expected to start in January 2027.

For additional information, please contact the Chair of the faculty search committee, Gena Miloshevsky, Ph.D., email: gennady@vcu.edu.

Benefits: All full-time university faculty members are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.