Assistant Professor in Mechatronics and Robotics

Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU’s culture of excellence.

Job Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Northern Arizona University invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering with emphasis in mechatronics and robotics to build on the unit’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research that can address challenges facing our society and innovate through a balance of fundamental and translational research.

We seek a candidate who could contribute to the launch and growth of a Mechatronics and Robotics degree, and whose areas of specialty complement the expertise available in the department in the areas of solid mechanics, dynamic systems, robotics, computational mechanics, multifunctional materials and adaptive systems, as well as thermal and fluid sciences. Individuals with expertise in the broad field of mechatronics and robotics, and with a special focus on human-robot interactions, medical robotics and devices, dynamic systems and controls, haptic interfaces, and in other emerging areas are encouraged to apply.

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a closely related field, with the potential to develop an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary research program and to actively contribute to the mission of the Department, College and University.

The successful candidate will: develop and maintain an independent research program, self-sustained, supported by extramural funding; publish and present research findings in high impact journals and meetings; contribute to the teaching mission of the department, including mentoring of undergraduate, M.S. and Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral fellows; develop undergraduate and graduate courses to support existing and new degree programs, and perform service for the department, university, and profession.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. or Sc.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering or closely related area conferred before August 15, 2022

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in the broad field of mechatronics and robotics with particular emphasis on human-robot interactions, medical robotics and devices, dynamic systems and controls, haptic interfaces, or other related emerging areas.
• Research expertise that complements that of existing faculty in the ME department.
• Established record of scholarly productivity, as evidenced by scholarly publications in high profile journals
• Established record of competitiveness for extramural funding and the promise of future excellence
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• University-level teaching experience with evidence of effectiveness and promise of future excellence
• Ability to effectively mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Effective communication skills.

General Information

Northern Arizona University has a student population of 29,569, including approximately 21,000 on its main campus in Flagstaff and the remainder at more than 20 locations statewide and online.

Committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment, NAU has earned a solid reputation as a university with all the features of a large institution but with a personal touch. NAU carefully balances teaching, scholarship and service with a faculty and staff dedicated to each student’s success. All faculty members are expected to promote student learning and help students achieve academic outcomes. For information about diversity, access and equity at NAU, see the Center for University Access and Inclusion webpage .

While our emphasis is undergraduate education, we offer a wide range of graduate programs and research that extend to such national concerns as forest health and bioterrorism. Our institution has carefully integrated on-campus education with distance learning, forming seamless avenues for students to earn degrees.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences, a newly formed college on the NAU campus, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. These include a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (ABET accredited), a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, a PhD program in Bioengineering, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. We also support an interdisciplinary Ph.D. degree in Engineering Sustainable Systems in collaboration with the School of Environment and Sustainability. The department currently has approximately 700 students and 15 faculty.

Flagstaff has a population of about 70,000, rich in cultural diversity. Located at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is 140 miles north of Phoenix at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.

With its elevation of 7,000 feet and four-season climate, Flagstaff is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. Nearby attractions include the Grand Canyon, Lowell Observatory, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, and Arizona Snowbowl.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requiremt

Under the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, NAU expects all employees, including new hires, to be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation. Proof of vaccination will be required by December 8, 2021. For questions about vaccines and medical or religious accommodations, please visit FAQs for Employee Vaccination Requirement .

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report . The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.

If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits

This is a Faculty (FAC) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP); sick leave accruals and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page .

Faculty are hired on a contract basis, renewable according to terms of the Conditions of Faculty Service . Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). Employees will have 31 days from date of hire to enroll in benefits, and their benefits will then be effective the first day of the pay period following their completed enrollment.

If a new employee chooses the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement option, participation in the ASRS Plan (and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it) will begin on the first of the pay period following 183 days of employment. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP; an alternative to the ASRS plan) will begin to participate on the first day of employment. The long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following 90 days of employment. More information about NAU benefits is available at the NAU HR benefits page .

Submission Deadline

This vacancy will close on November 5, 2021.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button at the end of the job description if viewing this position through the NAU HR website. Otherwise, to view the original post and to apply, proceed to nau.jobs , follow the 'Faculty and Administrator Openings' link, locate vacancy 605475, and then "Apply" at the bottom of the page.

Applications must include: (1) a cover letter highlighting your particular qualifications for this position; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a statement of teaching philosophy; (4) a statement of research interests/achievements; (5) names and contact information for three references; (6) copies of transcripts; and (7) if available, examples of teaching effectiveness. Submit all items as PDF or Word documents.

For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Michael Shafer at Michael.Shafer@nau.edu . For other questions or difficulties encountered while submitting your application, please contact Sandy.McNerney@nau.edu .

If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the HR website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.