Assistant Professor of Instruction in Mining Engineering

Job Description:

The Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering (MMBME) at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Instruction with an appointment as the Mining Engineering Undergraduate Program Director. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

MINING ENGINEERING PROGRAM RESTART

With the growth and increasing national importance of the mining economy, the University of Texas System Board of Regents has committed $20 million to restart the Mining Engineering program  Texas State Legislature committed another $20 million to fund the infrastructure needed to teach Mining Engineering. The program builds on UTEP's rich mining legacy and regional heritage. Founded in 1914 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, the university joined the UT System in 1919 as the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy and continued to award the Mining Engineering Degree until 1966.

Texas now has the largest non-fuel mineral production economy in the United States (USGS Mineral Commodity Summary 2024), and UTEP will offer the only Mining Engineering undergraduate program in Texas. The relaunch of the Mining Engineering program comes with dedicated support from industry partners committed to establishing a world-class modern mining engineering program.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Candidates for Assistant Professor of Instruction who will also serve as the Undergraduate Program Director in the planned Mining Engineering program can be from all areas of mining engineering, including but not limited to:
Mine Planning & Design, Geomechanics, Mineral Processing, Rock Fragmentation & Blasting, Mining Ventilation, Mine Automation, Health & Safety, or closely related fields. This is a unique opportunity for a dedicated educator and academic leader to help rebuild, shape, and champion a modern mining engineering program. The successful candidate will play a central role in curriculum development, program launch, student success, industry engagement, and community outreach.

Pre-Launch Responsibilities (Before Program Start in Fall 2027):
Prior to welcoming the first cohort of students, the successful candidate will contribute to the foundational work necessary to reestablish a forward-looking mining engineering program. This includes coordinating a comprehensive curricular redesign such as developing new course proposals, updating syllabi, integrating modern technologies, and aligning the curriculum with industry needs and ABET expectations. The candidate will provide administrative leadership as Undergraduate Program Director by planning course schedules, contributing to academic policies, preparing catalog updates and submissions, and coordinating extensively with the College of Engineering.

Additional responsibilities include supporting strategic recruitment efforts, developing promotional materials, engaging community colleges, and representing the program at regional and national events as needed. This faculty member will also organize major outreach initiatives such as K-12 partnerships, high-school and teacher summer camps, STEM events, Mine Day activities, and new-student orientation programs. Collaboration with the Industry Advisory Board will be essential to ensure that industry needs and trends inform program development.

The role also involves contributing to laboratory planning and modernization by identifying equipment needs, developing lab syllabi, and supporting future facility upgrades to be aligned with the planned curriculum.

Post-Launch Responsibilities (After First Cohort Admission in Fall 2027):
Once the undergraduate program launches, the role will transition into a combined instructional and program leadership position. The undergraduate program director will teach undergraduate mining engineering courses using student-centered, experiential, and innovative instructional approaches and will mentor Senior Design (Capstone) projects to ensure meaningful industry-engaged project experiences. The candidate will support and coordinate ABET assessment and evaluation activities, including outcomes assessment, continuous improvement processes, and accreditation reports preparation.

They will oversee the student career mentoring program by building employer connections, coordinating internships, and guiding students toward strong career placements. Additional responsibilities include advising student clubs such as SME and Women in Mining, fostering leadership and professional development, and maintaining active outreach and community engagement to strengthen K-12 and regional pipelines. The faculty member will also cultivate strong industry partnerships through guest lectures, mine tours, webinars, scholarship initiatives, and professional networking events.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering or related fields and demonstrate excellence or strong…