Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in Northeastern University – United States

Summary

Northeastern University invites applications for a tenured/tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) in Boston, MA. The role focuses on critical infrastructure and cyber-AI security, as well as advanced manufacturing for future semiconductor materials and energy storage systems, aligned with CHIPS-Act priorities. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Responsibilities include teaching, mentoring, and developing externally funded research programs. The salary range for an Assistant Professor is $101,000.00 – $119,000.00. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The university emphasizes collaborative research and provides faculty development support.

Key Facts

Department	Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE)
Position Type	Assistant Professor
Discipline	Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Research Area	Critical Infrastructure & Cyber-AI Security, Advanced Manufacturing for Future Semiconductor Materials and Energy Storage Systems
Degree Required	Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field
Salary	Assistant Professor: $101,000.00 – $119,000.00
Contract Duration	Tenured/Tenure-track
Required Documents	Cover letter, Curriculum vitae (including a full list of publications), Statement of research interests and objectives, Teaching statement, At least three names for reference letters
Employer Address	Boston, MA Main Campus

About the Project

The research focuses on two main themes: Critical Infrastructure & Cyber-AI Security, which involves protecting physical and digital systems using AI, digital twins, sensing, and cryptographic techniques for AI and critical industrial control systems; and Advanced Manufacturing for Future Semiconductor Materials and Energy Storage Systems, aligned with CHIPS-Act priorities. This includes areas such as advanced semiconductor materials processing, nanoscale manufacturing, thermal interface materials, heterogeneous integration, scalable synthesis of battery materials, solid-state batteries, energy harvesting, AI-driven material discovery, dry-processing, and in-situ manufacturing metrology.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate level
• Mentor students and postdocs in their area of research
• Participate in service to the department, university, and discipline
• Develop independent research programs that attract external funding
• Generate vigorous research programs cross-cutting the fields of engineering and/or science

Required Skills

• Research interests and expertise in advanced manufacturing for future semiconductor materials and energy storage systems
• Expertise in advanced semiconductor materials processing
• Expertise in nanoscale and scalable manufacturing of semiconductor or energy materials
• Expertise in thermal interface materials for advanced packaging
• Expertise in heterogeneous integration of semiconductors
• Expertise in scalable synthesis of battery active materials
• Expertise in emerging solid-state battery materials
• Expertise in energy harvesting and conversion materials
• Expertise in polymers for electronic and energy system applications
• Expertise in AI-driven discovery and manufacturing of energy storage materials
• Expertise in dry-processing solvent-free electrode manufacturing
• Expertise in in-situ operando manufacturing metrology, process-monitoring, and quality control
• Ability to develop independent research programs
• Ability to attract external funding
• Ability to generate vigorous research programs cross-cutting engineering and/or science

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for outstanding faculty candidates with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field. Applicants should have research interests and expertise in critical infrastructure and cyber-AI security, or advanced manufacturing for future semiconductor materials and energy storage systems. The university encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, including academia and industry, who are committed to developing independent, externally funded research programs and contributing to teaching and service.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees
• Medical, vision, dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness & life benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Commuting & transportation benefits

About the Employer

Northeastern University, founded in 1898, is a global research university known for its experience-driven lifelong learning approach. It has a global university system with locations in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The College of Engineering (COE) is a leader in experiential education and interdisciplinary research, with an R1 research rating. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) is the largest department within COE, with over 90 faculty members. Northeastern values diversity and strives to foster an inclusive culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary location for this position?

The position will be based primarily on Northeastern University Boston campus.

What academic rank is being offered?

The university invites applications for a tenured/tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level.

What are the main research areas for this position?

The main research areas are Critical Infrastructure & Cyber-AI Security and Advanced Manufacturing for future semiconductor materials and energy storage systems.

What is the required educational qualification?

A Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field is required by the employment start date.

What documents are required for the application?

A complete application includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae (with publications), a statement of research interests and objectives, a teaching statement, and at least three names for reference letters.

What is the salary range for an Assistant Professor?

The salary range for an Assistant Professor is $101,000.00 – $119,000.00.