Assistant Professor of Practice in Applied Engineering: Aerospace

Description

The Department of Applied Engineering (AppE) in the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a non-tenure-track, 9-month, Assistant Professor of Practice position in Aerospace Engineering, with emphasis on structural design, testing, simulation, vibration, composite materials, and/or propulsion. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026, or earlier in the spring 2026 semester (flexible).

UTK is Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, a Carnegie R1 institution, and a leader in engineering education, research, and workforce development. The AppE Department emphasizes practice-based engineering education, strong industry engagement, and experiential learning aligned with ABET-EAC expectations.

 

Position Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach undergraduate aerospace engineering courses, including but not limited to:
• • Aerospace structures and structural design
  • Mechanics of materials for aerospace applications
  • Structural testing and experimentation
  • Finite element analysis and simulation
  • Vibration and dynamics
  • Composite materials and manufacturing
  • Introduction to propulsion systems (as appropriate)
  • Develop and deliver hands-on laboratory experiences and project-based learning modules aligned with industry practices.
• Supervise senior design (capstone) projects, including projects sponsored by industry partners.
• Contribute to the development and operation of aerospace laboratories, including structural testing, vibration, composites, and propulsion-related instructional facilities.
• Engage in industry collaboration, applied research, workforce development, and external partnerships consistent with the mission of a Professor of Practice.
• Participate in service activities at the department, college, and university levels, including curriculum development, ABET accreditation support, and student mentoring.
• Support the growth and continuous improvement of the Aerospace concentration within the Department of Applied Engineering.

 

About the Department and College

The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) is in the midst of an unprecedented period of growth and success, including adding over 30 new faculty to the college over 4 years as part of ambitious hiring campaigns led by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Dean Matthew Mench. The college has set records in research expenditures, enrollment, incoming student GPA, intellectual property development, and USNWR rank in the past three years. New facilities include the state-of-the art Zeanah Engineering Complex, the University of Tennessee Manufacturing and Design Enterprise (TN-MADE) facility, and the Innovation South building now under construction that will house UTK’s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF).

TCE currently has 203 tenure/tenure track and 79 non-tenure track faculty in its nine academic departments and offers 11 undergraduate, 16 MS, and 15 PhD/DE degree programs. Affiliated with TCE and located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the UT Space Institute is a hub of aerospace and defense research. The college is also home to eight research centers and three interdisciplinary institutes. With approximately 4,300 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, the college sits 29th among public universities in the most recent U.S. News and World Report graduate rankings. Faculty in the college have won 29 early career awards (NSF, DOE, DARPA, AFOSR, and ARO) since 2016. In FY24, the college had annual research expenditures of $113.6M.

The Department of Applied Engineering (AppE) is a newly launched department within TCE, offering practice-focused engineering programs that integrate theory, design, testing, and industry engagement. The Aerospace concentration emphasizes structural integrity, advanced materials, experimental validation, and real-world engineering systems.

Qualifications

Required:

• A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution by the start date; exceptional candidates with a master’s degree and significant industry experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in aerospace structural design, analysis, and/or testing.
• Strong background in one or more of the following areas:
  • Structural testing and instrumentation
  • Finite element modeling and simulation
  • Vibration and dynamics
  • Composite materials and structures
  • Propulsion systems (solid, liquid, or hybrid—analysis or testing emphasis)
  • Commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching and hands-on, practice-oriented education.
  • Effective