Nuclear Term Faculty - Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

Overview

The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering (MNE) in the College of Engineering (CoE) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for a teaching-focused, non-tenure track appointment beginning Fall 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 can contribute to the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering curriculum are invited to apply.

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 downtown Richmond, Virginia, VCU fosters innovation through strong community and industry partnerships, creating opportunities for faculty and students. The MNE department enrolls over 600 students and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, including a new graduate program in aerospace engineering.

The department collaborates with many VCU schools and departments, including the 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. Its graduate programs are ranked among the best in the nation by US News and World Report.

Embarked on rapid growth, the MNE department has 25 faculty members (tenure-track, tenured, and term). The department has notable achievements, including a ranking in the top 20 of the nation’s Nuclear Engineering programs. Richmond is a vibrant city offering cultural and educational opportunities and a strong community of engineers and researchers.

• Teach 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).

The candidate must hold a doctorate in Nuclear Engineering or a related field with expertise in nuclear engineering and mechanical engineering. The candidate will demonstrate a commitment to high-quality teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility among faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.

Candidates should upload their application, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statements, and the names and e-mail addresses of four references. Reference letters will be requested for finalists. Only complete applications will be considered. For additional information, please contact the Chair of the faculty search committee, Dr. Gennady Miloshevsky (gennady).

VCU’s College of Engineering was established in 1996 as a public-private partnership to address engineering innovation in the 21st-century economy. The college leads research collaborations with industry, community, and academic partners in areas such as pharmaceutical engineering, smart cities, sustainability and clean energy, materials development, health care and regenerative medicine, data science, and cybersecurity. The college emphasizes multidisciplinary, entrepreneurial engineering education and…