Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering

Cleveland State University

Assistant Professor

Mechanical Engineering

Job Summary:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Cleveland State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor to start on August 16, 2027 as part of a multiple hiring initiative for the department.

Expertise is sought in the broad areas of Biomechanics, Human Motion and Control, Human-Machine Systems, and Rehabilitation. The position will support the research activities of the CSU Center for Human-Machine Systems and the planned Biomedical Discovery Complex.

Candidates are expected to develop and grow an externally funded research program and teach courses to meet the needs of the undergraduate and graduate curriculum. The candidate is also expected to participate in service activities through committees, student organization advising and professional activities outside the University.

This position requires teaching on-campus courses. In addition, you may be assigned to teach off campus, evenings, weekends, and via distance learning technology, depending upon student need for the delivery of instructional services.

The university is well-known for its interdisciplinary programs, enjoying partnerships with prominent industrial corporations, the Cleveland Clinic and the NASA Glenn Research Center. The Mechanical Engineering Department provides a rigorous education in the principles of mechanical engineering, supplemented by practical hands-on experience and communication skills to transform students into well-rounded and competent engineers. The department offers PhDl, master’s and an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree, with currently 385 undergraduate students and 125 graduate students. Our faculty are recipients of prestigious national awards, including 2 NSF CAREER and 2 NIH R01 awards in the last five years. As of Fall 2026, the department’s active research portfolio amounted to an average of $2 million per faculty member in external awards. Current areas of research include manufacturing, modeling and simulation of energy systems, turbomachinery rotordynamics, human-machine systems, robotics, and control systems.

Cleveland is home to an ever-growing job market, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, world-class museums and art institutions, and a thriving culinary scene. From Fortune 500 companies and prestigious healthcare institutions to booming manufacturing companies, Cleveland offers a robust job market for professionals looking to grow in their careers. For more information about Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, see https://discoverthecle.org/.

CSU aspires to be a national leader in social and economic mobility. We will be a great place to learn and work. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering; and
• An earned doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline. Appropriate terminal degree completed by July 1, 2027. Persons who are ABD will be hired at the rank of Instructor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Potential for excellence in research mentoring and fostering high standards of scholarship in students;
• Teaching experience and potential for teaching effectiveness in mechanical engineering;
• Evidence of research experience including biomechanics, human-machine systems or rehabilitation;
• Track record of scholarly work and relevant professional activity, and potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program.

Applicant Instructions:

Applications will only be accepted online at https://hrjobs.csuohio.edu/postings/27390. Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted. Preference will be given to applications received by December 11, 2026. All inquiries about the position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Prof. Hanz Richter, h.richter@csuohio.edu.

List of documents applicant is required to submit:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Statement
• Research Plan
• Contact information for three references – references will be contacted via email and asked to upload a letter of support on your behalf

CSU is an urban university with more than 14,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see https://www.thisiscleveland.com/.

Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials (including evidence of a Ph.D.) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.