Job Details

Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering

Position Number: 6815245
Location: Statesboro, GA
Position Type: Engineering - Mechanical

Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering

Job ID: 293524
Location: Statesboro, Georgia
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Georgia Southern University is the state's largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With nearly 150 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 "high research" university and serves more than 29,500 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico as well as 106 nations.

With three vibrant campuses - the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville - Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment which encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned special accreditation from professional and academic associations that set standards in their fields.

Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority. With a focus on hands-on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed.

Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally ranked for the caliber of its programs and services. Georgia Southern University has been recognized by Forbes as one of "America's Best-In-State Employers" for 2025.

Location

With more than 29,500 students and 150 degree programs, Georgia Southern University is the largest comprehensive university south of Atlanta. Our hands-on, practical approach to learning, and faculty dedicated to teaching, ensure you are prepared for your career and life after graduation.

Statesboro Campus
1332 Southern Drive
Statesboro, GA 30458

Department Information

Within this setting, the Department of Mechanical Engineering offers undergraduate courses in support of nearly 1,000 students in mechanical engineering (energy science, materials science and processing, mechatronics, design and analysis), engineering science, and graduate courses leading to a MSME and PhD in Engineering. Both the curricular and the research activities of the faculty have a strong applied emphasis, bridging theory with practice, extending the learning environment beyond the classroom, and offering a student-centered environment enhanced by technology and transcultural experiences within private and public partnerships. The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) program is to accomplish the following:

Produce graduates who will assume professional 'engineering-related' positions that utilize their applied technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
Produce graduates who have the technical, analytical, interpersonal, professional and communication skills needed to advance in their careers.
Produce graduates who will remain professionally current and engage in the pursuit of life-long learning.

The academic curriculum is validated by the program's Professional Advisory Committee and externally accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Students are provided opportunities to engage in hands-on research activities, engineering projects, professional society experiences, and the ability to pursue professional licensure. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the mission of the department by (1) developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate-level lecture and laboratory courses; (2) establishing a funded research program that involves university colleagues, graduate and undergraduate students; and (3) engaging in professional service that technically and economically enriches our various communities and societies.

Job Summary

Reporting to the chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering will be required to (1) develop and teach undergraduate and graduate lectures and labs; (2) develop a successful research program (including writing proposals and managing grants, obtaining external funding, and preparing peer reviewed scholarly publications) that engages both graduate and undergraduate students; (3) supervise PhD dissertation, MSME theses and undergraduate projects; (4) assist in academic and professional mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students; (5) participate in program assessment and execution of a continuous improvement plan; and (6) participate in academic and professional service activities. The position is a 10-month, tenure-track appointment.

Required Qualifications

Earned terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related field with at least 18 graduate semester hours in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or Metallurgical Engineering, by August 1, 2026.
B.S. (or equivalent) degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineer, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related discipline
Effective communications skills (verbal and written)
Ability to develop and teach discipline-specific lectures and laboratories at the undergraduate and graduate levels
Willingness to engage with institutional student success initiatives.
Commitment to engaging with best practice initiatives in instruction and pedagogy, mentoring, and curriculum design and development.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing a strong and growing research and scholarship agenda and the production of research/creative activities as appropriate to the discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

The potential to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses such as: Molten Metal Casting, Metals Machining, Joining & Processing, Materials Processing, Metallurgy, Statics, Strength of Materials, and/or Materials Science
The potential to develop funded research programs in appropriate applied and fundamental sub-discipline areas (such as molten metal casting, metallic materials and casting processes, metal machining processes, and heat treatment of metals)
An ability to proficiently use and provide instruction using software such as MAGMASOFT, ANSYS, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MATLAB, and/or LabVIEW
Relevant professional experience
A record of scholarship and participation in professional activities
Experience with ABET accreditation and/or continuous improvement activities

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.
This is an exempt position paid on a monthly basis.

Required Documents to Attach

A complete application consists of a letter addressing the qualifications cited above; a curriculum vitae; brief teaching and research statements (2 pages max each);and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least five (5) professional references. Other documentation may be requested.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position

KNOWLEDGE
Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success

SKILLS
Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills

Apply Before Date

Open Until Filled
Screening of applications begins 19 January 2026 and continues until the position is filled. Preferred start date is August 1, 2026.

Contact Information

Dr. Mingzhi Xu, Search Chairmxu@georgiasouthern.edu

912-478-8449

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

All work (with limited exceptions such as research and study abroad outside activities such as grading and email correspondence) for Georgia Southern University must be completed while the employee is physically present in the state of Georgia, unless specifically authorized by the university for a specific purpose and limited period of time within current policy.

Faculty are expected to contribute to the vibrant university community by engaging students, participating in events, and performing other responsibilities on-campus.

Faculty may be required to teach, conduct research, or perform service duties on any of the three campuses. Georgia Southern provides accessible transportation options between campuses.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community.

Equal Employment Opportunity

More information about the institution is available through http://www.georgiasouthern.edu or https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/colleges/engineering-computing and/or https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/colleges/engineering-computing/departments/mechanical-engineering]. The names of applicants and nominees, vitae, and other non-evaluative information may be subject to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.

Background Check

Standard + Education

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=39000&JobOpeningId=293524&PostingSeq=1