Tenured​/Tenure-track Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering - Space

Oct 15, 2026

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University invites applications for an open-rank, tenured/tenure-track faculty position to begin in Fall 2027. We are seeking outstanding candidates in mechanical engineering systems for space applications. Examples include, but are not limited to space vehicles design, thermal management in space, space manufacturing, aerospace propulsion, dynamics and control of space systems. This position is part of the Innovation Beyond the Earth initiative  successful candidate’s expertise should complement and strengthen existing departmental research in dynamics and control, robotics, thermofluid sciences, materials, and manufacturing.

Candidates should have a strong theoretical foundation and a clear vision for applying fundamental mechanical engineering principles to space technologies.

The successful candidate is expected to develop a strong, externally funded research program and to pursue excellence in both scholarship and teaching. They should be capable of teaching one or more core mechanical engineering courses and contributing to the expansion of graduate-level offerings. Applicants with expertise in either experimental or computational research are encouraged to apply. Experience with the application of AI and machine-learning tools in research, and the incorporation of these technologies into teaching, will be considered a significant advantage.

Vanderbilt University shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.