Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Engineering

Application Instructions:

External Applicants: Please upload your resume on the Apply screen. Your application will automatically populate your resume details, and you may verify and update data on the My Information page.

Please add your cover letter and any other documents required for the position to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience application page. Use the Select Files button to add multiple documents including your cover letter and supporting documents. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it.

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• Cover letter required for all positions and optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality positions unless otherwise specified. 

Job Description Summary

Job Description:

The Department of Engineering at Wake Forest University invites faculty applications for Assistant Teaching Professor or Assistant Teaching Professor of Practice with expertise in mechanical engineering to begin July 1, 2025. Faculty members with the title of Teaching Professor hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree in the discipline, while faculty members with the title of Professor of Practice have at least a Master’s Degree in the discipline along with relevant experience different from that achieved through traditional graduate and professional study. The contributions of teaching professionals are significant and cover a broad range of areas, which include teaching, advising, and service to the department, the College, and the University. The successful candidate will diversify our team through their engineering expertise and will provide significant educational contributions in support of our students’ educational and professional development as engineers. We seek a colleague who is excited about growing and sustaining a program that embodies the values of empowerment, integrity, inclusion, compassion, growth, and joy. Further information is available at https://engineering.wfu.edu/. 

Wake Forest University (WFU), a nationally ranked university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a collegiate university that combines the tradition and intimacy of a small liberal arts college with the innovation and vitality of a research university. The Department of Engineering is the anchor program at the Wake Downtown campus, located in WFU’s Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem, which serves as a convenient extension of the main WFU Reynolda campus. Embracing WFU’s culture as a leading collegiate university in the US, the Department of Engineering prides itself in realizing the university motto of Pro Humanitate (For Humanity) through its commitment to engaged liberal arts and the teacher-scholar ideal to offer an exceptional professional education for the next generation of engineers. 

Who We Are – Wake Forest’s Department of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree that is ABET accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC). Our students graduate with an exemplary undergraduate experience evidenced by over 75% of students pursuing minors or second majors beyond engineering, over 50% of students pursuing undergraduate research, over 50% of students participating in study abroad, and over 70% of students participating in industry experiences. Upon graduation, our graduates pursue positions in industry (~70%), graduate education (~20%), and other professional pathways (~10%). Five optional engineering concentrations are available to our students: (1) biomedical engineering, (2) civil and environmental engineering, (3) electrical and computer engineering, (4) materials and chemical engineering, and (5) mechanical engineering. We strive to be a leader in undergraduate education with primary motivations being: innovation in the curriculum, effective learning methods, and an authentic liberal arts curriculum to educate the whole person, featuring a project-based curriculum that emphasizes creative design and community partnerships. Currently, the department has 12 permanent faculty (~60% being women), several visiting and part-time faculty, and about 200 students (~42% female and ~20% minority). Our vision for our engineering students is to help them become (a) leaders and agents of change embodying the WFU motto of Pro Humanitate (for humanity), (b) active seekers and creators of knowledge, (c) empowered with the engineering fundamentals strengthened with the breadth of an exceptional liberal arts education, (d) adaptive experts who recognize the strengths and limits of their knowledge and their team, (e) innovators by embracing inclusion, diversity, and equity, and (f) fearless in the face of complex problems. 

Who We Want – We are seeking a colleague who shares this vision and who wants to contribute to an educational and entrepreneurial environment that emphasizes excellence in engineering, creative design and problem solving, and broad societal impact. Faculty members are expected to: (1) teach introductory and advanced engineering classes at the undergraduate level (including technical elective courses and capstone design projects); (2) teach first-year and upper-level interdisciplinary topical courses to majors and nonmajors alike; (3) support meaningful project experiences for undergraduate students; (4) serve the department and university through student advising, undergraduate mentoring, active participation in faculty governance, and establishing links to industrial and community partners. All faculty are expected to participate in and support the department’s curriculum, assessment and continuous improvement to support accreditation processes. 

What To Submit – Interested applicants should apply via the University’s career website at: http://www.wfu.careers/. The application should be submitted as ONE PDF file and include the following: (1) a cover letter that addresses the applicant’s motivation for the position, professional values in alignment with the department values, and vision for building a modern, interdisciplinary engineering program; (2) a CV with an accompanying list of 3-5 academic or professional references; (3) a teaching statement that addresses the candidate’s philosophy on teaching and learning as well as a plan to establish an inclusive classroom culture and one that is committed to the liberal arts and the university motto of Pro Humanitate (For Humanity); and (4) a professional service statement that describes the candidate’s interests and plans in serving the department, university, profession, and society. Aside from the CV, all other documents should not exceed 2 pages each. References will only be contacted with prior approval of the applicant. Review of applications will begin on November 4, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled with new applications reviewed on a regular cycle. Further information is available at college.wfu.edu/engineering/. 

Inquiries about the application process and document submission may be addressed to [email protected]. Inquiries about the position in general can be directed to Dr. Michael Gross (Chair and Professor, WFU Department of Engineering, [email protected]). 

Additional Job Description

Wake Forest University is a highly ranked, private university with 5400 undergraduates and 3200 graduate and professional students in the Schools of Medicine, Law, Divinity and Business. Wake Forest University welcomes and encourages diversity and inclusivity, and seeks applicants with demonstrated success in working with diverse populations. Wake Forest University is an AA/EO employer and values an inclusive and diverse learning community and campus climate. The Engineering Department welcomes individuals of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, national origins, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, ability, veteran status – and other visible and nonvisible differences. We seek faculty who are committed to creating a respectful, welcoming and inclusive environment for all community members.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations for all final faculty candidates being considered for employment. Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply

Time Type Requirement

Full time

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations for all final faculty candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. 

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