Tenure-Track Faculty in Mechanical Engineering

Posting 20260094F · Villanova, PA · Department of Mechanical Engineering (205) · Full-time, 9-month appointment beginning August 2027

About the Role

Villanova University, founded in 1842 and sponsored by the Augustinian Order, is a mission-driven Catholic institution recognized among the nation’s best colleges. The Department of Mechanical Engineering invites applications for a tenured or tenure-track faculty position in dynamical systems and control theory, with emphasis on autonomy, robotics, and multi-agent systems. The department comprises 24 full-time faculty, 316 undergraduate students, and 120 graduate students (including 56 Ph.D. students), and is housed in the new Drosdick Hall — a state-of-the-art facility for collaborative research and education. The university is strongly rooted in community and work-life balance, and offers a Center for Faculty Leadership and Success (CFLS) for leadership development.

Research areas of particular interest include:

• AI-enabled, adaptive, and intelligent robotic systems
• Autonomous and unmanned systems
• Human–robot interaction
• Multi-robot, multi-agent systems

Responsibilities

• Establish a vibrant, externally funded research program in dynamics and control
• Contribute to the department’s growing strengths in this area; collaborate nationally and internationally and with departmental faculty
• Supervise graduate students and mentor undergraduate research students
• Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in dynamics and control and related areas
• Engage in impactful service

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field, completed by the time of appointment
• Proven ability for high-quality research as evidenced by previous research publications and presentations

Preferred Qualifications

• Research that advances robotics and autonomous systems
• Leadership and/or entrepreneurial experience within an academic, research, industry, or service environment
• Teaching experience as an instructor, TA, instructional assistant, or research mentor
• For Associate Professor candidates: teaching experience and a strong record of research
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence and innovation
• Potential to lead an externally funded research program
• Experience mentoring others in research (undergraduate or graduate students)

Benefits

• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Tuition assistance for employees and eligible family members
• Professional development opportunities
• Retirement savings plan with University contributions
• Well-being programs and resources
• Flexible work options where appropriate

Pay

Competitive; salary band classification: faculty

Schedule

Full-time, 9-month appointment

Department & University Context

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is internationally recognized for research achievements and committed to rigorous education, graduating well-rounded leaders and lifelong learners. The recent opening of Drosdick Hall provides state-of-the-art collaborative research and educational spaces. Villanova is a Carnegie-classified doctoral university in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, home to a large concentration of universities, industries, and government labs. Inspired by the Augustinian-Catholic tradition, the university values an inclusive and diverse community preparing students for the highest ethical conduct and contribution to the well-being of humankind.