Assistant Professor of Instruction in Mining Engineering

Position Overview

The Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering (MMBME) at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Instruction with an appointment as the Mining Engineering Undergraduate Program Director. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

MINING ENGINEERING PROGRAM RESTART

With the growth and increasing national importance of the mining economy, the University of Texas System Board of Regents has committed $20 million to restart the Mining Engineering program at UTEP. The Texas State Legislature committed another $20 million to fund the infrastructure needed to teach Mining Engineering. The program builds on UTEP's rich mining legacy and regional heritage. Founded in 1914 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, the university joined the UT System in 1919 as the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy and continued to award the Mining Engineering Degree until 1966. Texas now has the largest non-fuel mineral production economy in the United States (USGS Mineral Commodity Summary 2024), and UTEP will offer the only Mining Engineering undergraduate program in Texas. The relaunch of the Mining Engineering program comes with dedicated support from industry partners committed to establishing a world-class modern mining engineering program.

Pre-Launch Responsibilities

• Contribute to the foundational work necessary to reestablish a forward-looking mining engineering program.
• Coordinate a comprehensive curricular redesign such as developing new course proposals, updating syllabi, integrating modern technologies, and aligning the curriculum with industry needs and ABET expectations.
• Provide administrative leadership as Undergraduate Program Director by planning course schedules, contributing to academic policies, preparing catalog updates and submissions, and coordinating extensively with the College of Engineering.
• Support strategic recruitment efforts, develop promotional materials, engage community colleges, and represent the program at regional and national events as needed.
• Organize major outreach initiatives such as K-12 partnerships, high-school and teacher summer camps, STEM events, Mine Day activities, and new-student orientation programs.
• Collaborate with the Industry Advisory Board to ensure that industry needs and trends inform program development.
• Contribute to laboratory planning and modernization by identifying equipment needs, developing lab syllabi, and supporting future facility upgrades to be aligned with the planned curriculum.

Post-Launch Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate mining engineering courses using student-centered, experiential, and innovative instructional approaches and mentor Senior Design (Capstone) projects to ensure meaningful industry-engaged project experiences.
• Support and coordinate ABET assessment and evaluation activities, including outcomes assessment, continuous improvement processes, and accreditation reports preparation.
• Oversee the student career mentoring program by building employer connections, coordinating internships, and guiding students toward strong career placements.
• Advising student clubs such as SME and Women in Mining, fostering leadership and professional development, and maintaining active outreach and community engagement to strengthen K-12 and regional pipelines.
• Cultivate strong industry partnerships through guest lectures, mine tours, webinars, scholarship initiatives, and professional networking events.

Job Requirements

• Hold a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering or related fields and demonstrate excellence or strong potential in engineering education, proven leadership and organizational skills, and a deep commitment to student success.
• Able to work effectively with faculty, industry partners, and diverse student populations, and passionate about building and advancing academic programs through curriculum innovation and community engagement.
• An understanding of contemporary issues in mining, such as sustainability, digital technologies, automation, safety, and workforce trends, is a plus.

Additional Information

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312. For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu. To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.