Assistant Professor of Teaching in Aerospace Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California Merced invites applications for the position of full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor of Teaching to coordinate and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in all areas of Aerospace Engineering with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. The job title is also known as Lecturer with Potential Security of Employment (LPSOE).

The Professor of Teaching series parallels that of the research-focused series but with an emphasis on excellence in teaching and other instruction-related activities. Individuals in the position are expected to provide outstanding teaching and engage in professional activity, including but not limited to research on pedagogy and service related to the pedagogical mission of the School of Engineering and UC Merced.

This appointment confers membership in the Academic Senate, and, contingent upon promotion, tenure-paralleling security of employment. Appointment, merit, and promotion in the Professor of Teaching series requires, in addition to excellence in teaching and service, that the candidate makes externally recognized contributions to research/creative activity in pedagogy and/or the discipline.

Preferred candidates: (1) have demonstrated management or organizational skills and be comfortable advising students on industrial career paths, entrepreneurship, and graduate study opportunities; (2) have teaching experience or evidence of the ability to teach, particularly using student success centered approaches; and (3) be interested in pushing design thinking and experience forward with a teaching approach that is suited to the recent needs. Candidates should possess a Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related area at the time of appointment, which will be effective July 1, 2025.

Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related area at the time of appointment. All but dissertation (ABD) candidates will be considered but will require the Ph.D. to be completed by the start date.

Preferred qualifications include:

• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering
• Experience teaching courses at the undergraduate level
• Industry or postdoctoral experience
• Experience developing new undergraduate courses
• Experience mentoring and advising undergraduate students
• Record of interdisciplinary work and collaboration

• 3 letters of reference required

Applicants for the Assistant Professor of Teaching level should arrange to have three letters of reference submitted online. After an application is submitted, the letters of reference should be electronically uploaded by the letter writers (instructions will be provided by the application system). Letters of reference should be received no later than the initial review date.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced is committed to interdisciplinary excellence in research and teaching as well as to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).

The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.