About Western Kentucky University:
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities.
Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,035 students (29% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority, 1% international) and nearly 2,508 faculty and staff employees*.
Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community.
At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.
Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents.
Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.
Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success.
We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life.
Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided.
Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about.
Job Description:
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Kentucky University seeks to fill a nine-month, tenure-eligible faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Program.
The position is expected to begin August 17, 2026.
Depending on circumstances, it may be possible to begin in January 2026.
WKU is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity in undergraduate engineering education and professional engagement with regional industry.
For a tenure-eligible Assistant Professor position, the areas of priority and specialization include thermo-fluids and mechanical systems.
However, candidates from other related areas will also be considered.
The ideal candidate will be able to guide students on projects and will have a strong interest in creating and expanding existing external collaborations, including performing applied research on meaningful industry-sponsored projects and participating in multi-disciplinary faculty initiatives.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to teach across the mechanical engineering curriculum and offer specialized electives in their area of expertise.
The ABET accredited, baccalaureate-only mechanical engineering program integrates project-based design experiences throughout the curriculum, with all faculty contributing to this effort.
The program is committed to producing graduates who are well prepared for the start of productive, successful careers as engineers.
Academic and professional mentoring of students, as well as service activities at all levels of the university are expected.
In addition to pedagogical contributions, the successful candidate will be expected to develop a scholarly program with appropriate student engagement.
Candidates with relevant professional engineering experience are encouraged to apply and must be capable and willing to fully participate in the project-based learning environment and be dedicated to excellence in teaching.
The responsibilities of this position include teaching, developing and maintaining professional applied scholarship in area of expertise, advising, and service that are to be conducted within the context of the University, School, and Program Mission Statements.
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Promotion, Tenure, and Post-Tenure Review policies describe the professional and academic qualifications necessary for our program.
The successful candidate must be committed to helping undergraduate students grow into engineers and be dedicated to working in the labs and design centers on projects with students consistently.
All engineering faculty must obtain and then maintain professional engineering licensure in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Requirements: