Job Description:The Department of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering at the University at Albany invites applications from candidates at the rank of Associate or Full Professor for the prestigious Empire Innovation Professor in Mechatronics to serve as a bridge across CNSE departments-linking Electrical & Computer Engineering, Nanoscale Science & Engineering, Computer Science, and Environmental & Sustainable Engineering. This highly focused position will begin in the Fall 2027 semester. We seek an internationally recognized scholar and visionary leader whose research and teaching redefine the boundaries of modern manufacturing, smart production systems, or advanced materials processing. Candidates will also be considered in the broad areas of experimental testing, modeling, and control of complex electro-mechanical systems, and structural dynamics and vibrations, spanning both analytical and experimental methods. Areas of research interest for this role include but are not limited to meta-structures and topological structures, lightweight and deployable space structures, additively manufactured structures for mitigation of vibration and impact effects, structural modeling, monitoring and control using artificial intelligence, battery free and ubiquitous vibration sensing.
The successful candidate will drive academic and industrial excellence in areas including advanced and additive manufacturing; cyber-physical production systems and Industry 4.0/5.0; sustainable and/or green manufacturing processes; robotics, automation, and smart manufacturing systems; and nano- or micro-scale manufacturing technologies.
The appointment comes with supplemental annual support to advance research, student mentorship, and laboratory innovation.
Primary Responsibilities:- Research and program development. Develop and sustain an externally funded research program in Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering, with an emphasis on Advanced Manufacturing. Publish research results in professional journals; lead scientists and engineers in developing and transitioning technologies; and manage the Mechatronics for Advanced Manufacturing research portfolio. Work across UAlbany departments and offices to develop multidisciplinary research opportunities.
- Teaching. Teach graduate and undergraduate engineering courses within the field of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering.
- Advising and mentoring. Advise postdoctoral researchers and graduate and undergraduate students in their research. Mentor faculty and staff, develop principal investigators, and provide opportunities for program development, sponsor presentations, and technical publications.
- Partnerships and external engagement. Establish and strengthen relationships with industry, government research laboratories, NY CREATES, CNSE partners, and university faculty. Build externally funded research teams, centers, and joint initiatives that address research and development needs, support workforce development, and strengthen affiliations across academic departments.
- Strategic leadership and resource planning. Establish a vision for CNSE Advanced Manufacturing aligned with the college's strategic plan. Identify technology, equipment, and facility needs; contribute technical leadership to college planning and management discussions; and work with department heads and principal investigators to manage research budgets, personnel, laboratories, and facilities. Support efforts to recruit and retain high-performing faculty and staff.
- Supervision. Provide leadership, oversight, and direction to direct reports to ensure that goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices align with the University's goals and strategies. Lead employees for maximum performance and dedication, and complete performance management feedback and goals in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Professional and university service. Participate in internal and external service activities, including editorial and peer review, career mentoring, and service on departmental, college, university, and professional committees.
- Other reasonable duties as assigned.
Functional and Supervisory Relationships:- Reports to: MME Department Chair
- May supervise or provide instructional guidance to graduate and undergraduate students serving as teaching assistants, laboratory assistants, graders, or student workers, as assigned.
- Collaborative relationships include CNSE department heads, faculty, principal investigators and staff; NY CREATES and CNSE partners; industry and government research laboratories; and UAlbany administrative offices. The role includes advising postdoctoral scholars and graduate and undergraduate students and mentoring faculty and staff.
Job Requirements:- Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
- Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.
- Strong technical capabilities in multiple Advanced Manufacturing technologies.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement an organizational strategic vision.
- Effective at presenting to groups at all levels, conveying information to drive action or decision.
- Ability to navigate a complex, multi-office organization, to include successful interactions with Enterprise Operations, such as Facilities, Security, Information Technology, Business Office, Human Resources, Purchasing, and Property.
Requirements:Minimum Qualifications:- An earned Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization.
- A distinguished record of scholarly research, high-impact publications, and external research funding that meets the criteria for a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor.
- A proven record of excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, curriculum development, and student mentorship that meets the criteria for a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
- Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining industry partnerships and translating academic research into practical manufacturing applications, as evidenced by industry collaborations, sponsored research, technology transfer activities, or commercialization initiatives.
- Demonstrated success leading and mentoring multidisciplinary teams of faculty and staff in a research environment.
- Management and technical leadership in materials technology.
Preferred Qualifications:- Demonstrated success developing and transitioning new programs and technologies, including proposal writing, presentations, and related activities.
- Demonstrated success recognizing organizational inefficiencies and affecting meaningful changes to improve the work environment.
- Demonstrated success partnering with the Federal Government and Industry with the ability to develop a strong sponsor base.
Working Environment:- This is an academic-year appointment.
- Teaching assignments and schedules will be determined by departmental needs and may include work across facilities.
- Teaching and laboratory work will occur in university classrooms, engineering laboratories, and related instructional facilities.
- The position requires regular work in hands-on laboratory environments involving engineering equipment, instrumentation, fabrication, testing, and mechanical systems, with adherence to applicable safety procedures.
Additional Information:Professional Rank and Salary Range: Professor, Salary commensurate with experience.
Please apply online via http://albany.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=206641
Application Instructions:Applicants MUST submit the following documents: - A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV)
- A cover letter detailing their vision for the endowed chair
- A research statement (up to 5 pages) outlining past achievements and future plans
- A teaching and mentoring statement (up to 2 pages)
- Contact information for at least four professional references
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Preference will be given to applications received by December 11. 
