Assistant Professor

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is currently seeking candidates for a 9-month tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank with the expertise in Batteries and Energy Storage, with an expected start date of August 2026. Candidates with diverse research interests, particularly those aligned with UNC Charlotte's areas of research focus and distinction, are strongly encouraged to apply. Specifically, candidates are expected to have a strong research focus in electrochemistry or battery engineering, including specializations in materials characterization, system safety, battery manufacturing, and/or recycling. We seek outstanding candidates with demonstrated expertise and strong research potential in one or more of the following or related areas:

* Next-generation battery materials

* Electrochemo-mechanical-thermal coupling in energy storage systems

* Critical materials processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling

* Battery safety, reliability, and degradation mechanisms

* AI/ML-enabled design, or digital twins for energy storage

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science ( MEES) is the largest department within the William States Lee College of Engineering, staffed by 52 full-time faculty members and 15 staff members who serve over 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students. There are six active NSF CAREER awardees, and faculty are recognized as Fellows of leading professional societies. The Department has a long-standing record of research excellence in advanced manufacturing and metrology and is home to the Center for Precision Metrology and the Center for Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Ceramics.

This position will be part of the North Carolina Battery Complexity, Autonomous Vehicle, and Electrification Research Center ( BATT CAVE). The BATT CAVE focuses on advancing battery technology and autonomous vehicles. Battery research aims to enable the development of new battery technologies, design innovative materials, and establish mechanistic models to enhance battery performance and address safety concerns. Autonomous vehicle research focuses on modeling, estimation, control, and autonomy for vehicles and battery systems, including AI-based human-machine interfaces for autonomous vehicles. BATT CAVE has close proximity and established relationships with the new Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant in Liberty NC, Albemarle, Duke Energy, Honeywell, Celgard, Atom Power, and other battery OEMs.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty should be interpreted in the context of the related departmental and collegiate goals.
Teaching, Advising, Curriculum and Instructional Development - Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to teaching may include but are not limited to: subject matter competence, course design, course presentation, advising and consultation, directing student research, curriculum and instructional development, and grading student work.
Scholarly Research, Creative, and Other Professional Activities - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in expanding the knowledge base of their academic field by conducting research or engaging in other creative activities as appropriate to the faculty member's discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to research may include but are not limited to: research/creative activity that generates new knowledge and/or synthesizes and/or integrates existing knowledge, publication, an on-going agenda for research, scholarly, and creative activity, and are expected to seek extramural support for their work.
Service to University, the Public, and the Profession - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to engage in a program of service appropriate to their discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to service may include but are not limited to: service to the administration and governance of the University, public service, and service to the profession.

To view the complete Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty document visit our website: https://provost.charlotte.edu/academic-budget-hr/academic-personnel-procedures-handbook/

Applicants should be committed to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is expected that the successful candidate will build strong collaborations with industry partners and national laboratories, publish in leading research journals, and establish a strong externally-funded research program. Applicants should also be committed to supervising undergraduate capstone projects and graduate theses/dissertations.

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in one of the following areas: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.

Priority will be given to candidates with strong research records, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, externally funded research, and a plan for future research that aligns with the university's and department's research focus.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents for Position 004352

1. One-page letter of interest.

2. Curriculum Vitae.

3. Research statement (up to five pages) detailing areas of expertise and research vision.

4. Teaching statement (up to two pages).

5. Contact information for at least three references.

The candidate chosen for this position will be subject to a criminal background check and will be required to submit the official transcript of their highest earned degree.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte maintains an Affirmative Action Plan prepared in accordance with Executive Order 11246 and the Consent Decree.