Teaching Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Position Title
Teaching Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
The Opportunity

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at Colorado School of Mines (Mines) invites applications for a non-tenure-track Teaching Assistant Professor. We are looking for superb educators who inspire students, engage in modern pedagogical approaches, and can help advance the University’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and access. Candidates who are excited about contributing to the innovative Mechanical Engineering curriculum are encouraged to apply.

Special consideration will be given to candidates capable of contributing to Mines’ project-based courses. Examples of project-based courses are:

• Programming and Instrumentation (MEGN 200 and MEGN 300): MATLAB, Arduino hardware and IDE, LabVIEW, circuits, and data collection and analysis.
• Introduction to Design and Fabrication (MEGN 201):CAD (SolidWorks), general technical drawing, GD&T, CAM, manual mills, and manual lathes.
• Mechanical Integration and Design (MEGN 301): Design techniques, virtual design validation, component selection, and product testing.
• Manufacturing Processes (MEGN 381): Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, statistical process control (SPC), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Design for Assembly (DFA).
• Machine Design (MEGN 481): Static and fatigue analysis, and mechanical hardware selection.

Please contact Daniel Blood ( dblood@mines.edu ) with any questions about this opportunity. Priority review will begin on April 5th.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver high-quality instruction to undergraduate and graduate students in Mechanical Engineering. Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
• Cultivate and promote an inclusive and diverse Mines community through recruiting, mentoring, and service.
• Contribute to the Department, University, and professional communities through active service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or another closely related field, or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years of experience relevant to the project-based courses listed above.
• Commitment and ability to support excellent teaching and curriculum development in Mechanical Engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Passion for teaching and instruction with a commitment to learning and implementing best practices in STEM pedagogy at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Commitment to implement best practices in diversity, inclusion, and accessibility to create research and learning environments where all can succeed.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated teaching ability at the university level.

About Mines & Golden, CO

Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado, a western suburb of Denver. The campus location offers a small-town ambiance with close proximity to all that the Denver metropolitan area has to offer with an abundance of cultural events, museums, theaters and sporting venues. A sunny, high-altitude climate with outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play. We seek individuals who value a diverse and inclusive community – offering different perspectives, experiences, and cultures that enrich the educational and work experience.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is focused on education and both basic and applied research that addresses problems of national interest in the areas of thermal-fluid systems, systems/operations engineering, advanced manufacturing, biomechanics, robotics and automation, and solid mechanics and materials. Our undergraduate enrollment in Mechanical Engineering is 1,607, with approximately 24.2% women and 11.8% underrepresented students. We pride ourselves on a strong project-based spine of undergraduate courses that apply theoretical knowledge and engineering skills in classroom activities and team projects. The ME Department currently has 27 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 14 teaching faculty, 4 professors of practice, and 7 research faculty. We maintain a high-quality, well-funded research program (~$12M in annual research awards) with strong participation from students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Approximately 170 graduate students (17.5% women, 14.6% underrepresented) study within a broad research portfolio. Major specialty programs for undergraduate and graduate students include robotics, automotive engineering, biomechanics, aerospace engineering, energy systems and systems engineering/operations research. More information can be found at www.mines.edu and mechanical.mines.edu .

Mines produces industry-ready scientists and engineers known for their work ethic, problem-solving ability and teamwork focus. Mines graduates are in great demand by companies and government entities around the world and are involved in solving major technical and societal challenges of our times. We have several initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching and the student experience, including our exceptional Trefny Innovative Instruction Center, which supports best practices for teaching and learning on campus including online courses ( https://trefnycenter.mines.edu/). Our Center for Entrepreneurship and Education supports students and faculty to change the world through innovative thinking and entrepreneurial pursuits ( https://innovation.mines.edu/). The Mines community is in the process of developing a Strategic Plan for Diversity, Inclusion, and Access; which supports a wide range of activities, including inclusive hiring, inclusivity in the classroom, cultivating a respectful and compassionate campus culture, family friendly programming and polices, expanding pathways for success, ensuring shared responsibility ( https://www.mines.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion/).

Colorado School of Mines is known globally for the quality of its distinctive graduates, the success of its alumni and its unique expertise in topics related to earth, energy and the environment. Our core values include Inquiry and Innovation, Inspiration, Challenge, Openness, Respect, Diversity, Compassion, and Collaboration. Each of the values above facilitates our shared success, and the advancement of Mines and its mission; by our examples and by our encouragement we seek to foster these values throughout our community, and especially among our students, so as to inspire them to pursue excellence in our shared lives of inquiry and innovation. For more information visit https://www.mines.edu/president/planning/ .

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Pay Range

Mines is offering an academic year salary of $76,000 - $84,000.

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Total Rewards
Mines is proud to provide exceptional benefits that include pay, health & wellness and work/life balance offerings. Our portfolio of benefits includes fully paid medical and dental premiums and vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Additionally, Mines employees are eligible for tuition benefits (for employees and dependents), generous paid holidays and leaves and discount programs. Additionally, Mines’ leadership and innovation brings proximity and access to several research centers, consortia, agencies, labs and leading edge technology. For more information, visit Mines benefits .
How to Apply

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled - new priority review date is April 5th. The desired start date is August 2023. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, names and contact information of three professional references from whom letters may be subsequently requested, and veteran status) and upload the following:

1. 1. cover letter briefly describing interest in and qualifications for the position
   2. curriculum vitae
   3. statement of teaching (2 pages or less), with a description of experience in active learning and online education
   4. statement on contributions to diversity and inclusion (2 pages or less), describing your past experiences and proposed activities to advance access, inclusion, and diversity at Mines

Teaching Statement: Mines and the ME Department pride ourselves on strong, project-based course offerings that apply theoretical knowledge and engineering skills in classroom activities. Candidates should describe their pedagogical approach, how it reflects best practices in STEM education, and describe any teaching qualifications, including previous experience. Additionally, Mines is growing its online MS non-thesis degree programs. Candidates should cover their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education.

Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Mines is committed to access, inclusion, and diversity and is actively developing a strategic plan to advance Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (for more information visit  https://www.mines.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion/). The diversity and inclusion statement should describe your experience and should propose concrete research, teaching, and/or service activities that will advance access, inclusion, and diversity at Mines and beyond. Candidates are strongly encouraged to connect their proposed activities to best practices.

For questions, contact Kathleen Feighny, Human Resources, at kfeighny@mines.edu .
11/3/22 - Fields added to clarify teaching responsibilities.
3/28/23 - Min quals expanded.

Background Investigation Required
Yes

Advertised: Mar 28, 2023 Mountain Daylight Time
Applications close: