Open Rank Tenure-ineligible Faculty in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at the University of Virginia (UVA) seeks candidates for an Academic General Faculty (AGF) position specializing in laboratory instruction, and injury biomechanics and trauma prevention research, for the Center for Applied Biomechanics (CAB) and the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE). 

The primary responsibilities for this tenure-ineligible position include teaching mechanical engineering courses with a particular focus on hands-on, laboratory-based undergraduate courses; research; and service to the department, university and professional community. The appointment rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Compensation is contingent upon experience. This period of appointment will be for 3 years contingent on the availability of research funding, with the possibility of renewal. 

The teaching duties include (but are not limited to) leading multiple core undergraduate laboratory courses in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. A core part of our curriculum is a progression of hands-on, laboratory-based courses beginning with basic exercises in fundamental mechanics, and progressing to independent experimental design and analysis in team-based projects. The AGF Professor will aid in this critical part of our curriculum by leading one or more laboratory courses per semester.

The research duties include performing fundamental and applied research in injury biomechanics, trauma prevention, and public health and safety at the UVA Center for Applied Biomechanics. The AGF Professor will be expected to develop and maintain a dynamic research program, develop research funding (often in collaboration with other faculty), advise MS and PhD students, and collaborate with the Center’s other researchers in continuing to lead the field of injury biomechanics and trauma prevention with a focus on public health and safety. 

The CAB is one of the largest university-based automobile safety and injury biomechanics research centers in the world.  It was founded in 1989 and has grown steadily since.  Currently the Center operates with a staff of approximately 50 researchers and support staff, including 8 Principal Investigators from SEAS and the School of Medicine, in a dedicated, state-of-the-art, 35,000 ft2 facility with world-class computational, experimental, mechanical, and biological resources. UVA and SEAS have made it a priority to encourage interdisciplinary research, and the AGF Professor will strategically position the Center's trauma prevention and public health research programs and enhance CAB’s reputation as a world-leader in the field.  This position will also benefit from new opportunities in Engineering, Health and Cyber-Physical Systems across grounds to provide transformational investments in the quality of UVA's research.

This position is based in Charlottesville at our principal location.  UVA is a highly selective undergraduate and graduate institution that annually ranks as one of the premiere public universities in the United States, with one of the highest graduation rates in the nation. UVA is situated in Charlottesville, Virginia, a picturesque and vibrant small city consistently recognized as one of the nation's top places to reside. UVA's location offers proximity to Washington D.C., enriching opportunities for collaboration and engagement with numerous federal organizations. More information about the city, the school, faculty benefits and other topics can be found at https://hr.virginia.edu/careers-uva/why-uva.

Candidates must possess a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, and have experience in injury biomechanics and trauma prevention research with a focus on public health and safety, in areas such as

• epidemiological studies to elucidate injury risk factors and variations in the population
• statistical analyses of large field-data and experimental-based datasets\
• the biomechanics of injury prediction and mitigation
• laboratory impact experimentation with various biological and non-biological human surrogate models

In addition, candidates must have experience mentoring students in a laboratory setting, in areas such as

• laboratory safety and good lab practices
• project management
• reporting and technical communication
• student-led independent research

The candidates who have a proven record of project management, team building, and service-oriented leadership are preferred.  Preference will also be given to candidates who have a demonstrated record of collaborative relationships across departments, with other universities, and with medical school researchers.

Apply for this position in Interfolio . Provide the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter that summarizes your areas of research/scholarship, mentorship, and areas of potential collaboration at the University of Virigina. To help us organize our review of applications, please also specifically list your primary areas of research in boldface at the top of your letter;
• Curriculum vitae (including research, teaching/mentorship, service, and leadership experience);
• A statement describing your current research, future directions and broader impacts;
• A statement describing your teaching philosophy, including your anticipated approach to hands-on, laboratory-based instruction
• A statement describing demonstrated contributions to fostering inclusive practices that create climates in which all stakeholders can achieve their maximum potential (please focus on skills and experience, not beliefs and opinions);
• A single file that includes two research papers that best represent your work.

You will also request 3-5 references directly in Interfolio by providing names and contact information in the application. These reference requests will be generated immediately once you submit your application.

Review of applications will begin on October 19, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The University will perform background checks on all new faculty hires prior to making a final offer of employment.

For questions about this position, please contact Jason Forman, Search Committee Chair, at jlf3m@virginia.edu.