Assistant Professor of Solid Mechanics/Structures/Damage Tolerance

Work Authorization and Immigration Sponsorship

Wichita State University may be able to sponsor certain faculty positions for employment-based immigration status where authorized by the hiring department and university policy. Sponsorship eligibility varies by faculty position and will be identified in the individual job posting.

For faculty positions eligible for sponsorship, international candidates generally must be eligible for sponsorship in a visa classification compatible with the faculty position. For tenured and tenure-track faculty appointments, visa classifications incompatible with such appointments include F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), J-1 Research Scholar, and J-1 Academic Training statuses.

Department: Aerospace Engineering

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range beginning around $100,000/yr, commensurate with qualifications

Work Schedule: Dependent on teaching assignment and research program needs; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The Department of Aerospace Engineering in the College of Engineering at Wichita State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the area of solid mechanics/structures/damage tolerance.
We seek an innovative scholar and educator who will contribute to our academic programs and research profile. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, develop a productive research program, and provide service to the university and profession. This position is a 9-month appointment with an anticipated start in the Fall of 2027.

The Aerospace Engineering department is the seventh oldest in the nation. The department comprises of twelve faculty members offering curricula in aeronautics and astronautics. The department is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and student success. A large fraction of our students work throughout the year in paid jobs at the 20+ companies on the Innovation Campus. In addition to the companies, the Innovation Campus is home to the National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR), the new Deloitte Smart Factory@Wichita, the Advanced Virtual Engineering & Testing Lab (AVET), Hub for Advanced manufacturing & Research (HAMR) and the John Bardo Center, where both the Innovation Hub and GoCreate maker spaces are located.

We have state of the art facilities for robotics and automation; computer aided design and manufacturing; 3D printing of plastics and metals; composites and coatings; mechanical, structural, and environmental testing; failure analysis; crash dynamics; extended reality; reverse engineering; multiple wind/water tunnels; and, a research machine shop. We are interested in outstanding candidates who are committed to excellence in teaching and scholarship and to a diverse campus climate.

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Teaching: Develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level in solid mechanics/structures/damage tolerance. This includes designing curriculum and instructional materials, delivering high-quality instruction in various modalities (in-person, online, or hybrid), and assessing student learning. The faculty member will mentor and advise students, including supervising research projects or theses as appropriate, and incorporate applied learning opportunities (e.g. projects with industry or community partners) into the coursework whenever possible.

Research/Scholarly Activity: Establish and maintain an active research program in solid mechanics/structures/damage tolerance. This includes publishing peer-reviewed scholarly work and disseminating results in academic venues. The faculty member is expected to seek external funding (grants or industry collaboration) to support research activities and, where applicable, engage in interdisciplinary projects or partnerships with industry. Excellence in scholarship should be demonstrated by a record of research accomplishments or clear potential for high-quality research output.

Service: Participate in service activities within the department, college, and university, as well as in professional organizations. Service duties include committee work, curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment, and community outreach. The faculty member will contribute to the governance and strategic initiatives of the department and may also engage in service to the broader profession (e.g. reviewing for journals, involvement in academic societies).

Other: Fulfill other duties as assigned, in accordance with the faculty member’s talents and departmental needs. All Wichita State faculty are expected to uphold professional and ethical standards in teaching, research, and service.

Required Education and Experience:

• Terminal degree in direct field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field is required.
• At least one of the degrees must be in Aerospace Engineering. Candidates must have completed the requirements for the Ph.D. by May 2027.
• Applicants who are at an advanced stage of their doctoral studies will be considered if they provide strong evidence that all degree requirements will be completed prior to May 2027.
  
  Teaching:
• Demonstrated potential for effective teaching in aerospace engineering (solid mechanics/structures/damage tolerance). Evidence may include prior teaching experience, student evaluations, teaching awards, or a teaching philosophy that reflects best practices in instruction.
  
  Research:
• Demonstrated potential for productive research and scholarship. This can be shown by publications, conference presentations, dissertation work, research proposals submitted (as PI or Co-PI) to funding agencies, or other scholarly activities indicating the ability to develop an independent research program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to develop collaborations as part of a multidisciplinary research teams.
• Sound understanding within the realm of solid mechanics/structures/damage tolerance.
• Knowledge to create an applied research program in the area of solid mechanics/structures/damage tolerance.
• Have a demonstrated record of excellence in, or show exceptional promise for, high-quality research, teaching, and professional development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and students.
• The candidate should be able to collaborate in a collegial academic environment and adapt to the interdisciplinary and applied learning focus of Wichita State.

Additional Information:

Work Authorization and Immigration Sponsorship

Wichita State University may be able to sponsor certain faculty positions for employment-based immigration status where authorized by the hiring department and university policy. Sponsorship eligibility varies by faculty position and will be identified in the individual job posting.

For faculty positions eligible for sponsorship, international candidates generally must be eligible for sponsorship in a visa classification compatible with the faculty position. For tenured and tenure-track faculty appointments, visa classifications incompatible with such appointments include F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), J-1 Research Scholar, and J-1 Academic Training statuses.

REQUIRED MATERIALS
1. Cover Letter/Letter of application addressing how the candidate’s qualifications and experience align with the position.
2. Teaching Statement: A statement (1-2 pages) describing teaching approach/philosophy and experience (including course topics the candidate can teach, mentoring experience, and any evidence of teaching effectiveness).
3. Research Statement: A statement (1-2 pages) describing research approach/philosophy and experience.

A priority deadline for application review is November 15, 2026. The appointment for the position is August 2027.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement: