California State Uni- Assistant Professor – Control Systems and Robotics – Mechanical Engineering

Assistant Professor – Control Systems and Robotics

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Faculty Hire Number:  20-20

Rank: Assistant Professor

Effective Date of Appointment: August 19, 2020 (Subject to Budgetary Approval)

Salary: Dependent upon qualifications

About the University:

One of the largest universities in the country, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is an urban, comprehensive university that delivers award-winning undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 40,000 students annually and counts more than 330,000 alumni who elevate Southern California and beyond. Since its founding in 1958, CSUN has made a significant and long-term economic impact on California, generating nearly $1.9 billion in economic impact and more than 11,700 jobs each year. The LAEDC recognized CSUN as its 2015 Eddy Award winner for its positive economic impact. Serving more students on Pell Grants than any other institution in California, CSUN is also a social elevator and one of the most diverse universities in the country. CSUN ranks 13th in awarding bachelor’s degrees to traditionally underserved students and enrolls the largest number of students who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing of any U.S. state university. The journal Nature recently named CSUN a Rising Star for scientific research, and the NSF ranks CSUN in the top five nationally among similar institutions for graduates who go on to earn doctorates in the sciences. CSUN is where individuals rise. And through them, so does Greater Los Angeles and beyond.

About the College:

The College of Engineering and Computer Science seeks to be a recognized center for excellence for baccalaureate and masters education in engineering and in computer science. The College provides a quality education for its students. It is also a partner in the professional communities of engineering and computer science and provides an essential link between students’ education and professional practice.

About the Department:

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering department is to provide a broad, rigorous, application-oriented and contemporary understanding of mechanical engineering that prepares graduates for successful careers and lifelong learning. The Mechanical Engineering faculty is committed to providing a supportive student-centered environment for their students. The emphasis areas within the department include controls and robotics, energy and thermal-fluid systems, as well as mechanical design.

CSUN’s Commitment to You:

CSUN is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. Our values include a respect for all people, building partnerships with the community and the encouragement of innovation, experimentation and creativity. CSUN strives to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. CSUN is especially interested in candidates who make contributions to equity and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence for all members of the university community.

For more information about the University, check visit website at: http://www.csun.edu

General Information:

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Northridge has made crime-reporting statistics available on-line here. Print copies are available by request from the Department of Police Services, the Office for Faculty Affairs, and the Office of Equity and Diversity.

The person holding this position may be considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in CSU Executive Order 1096. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Department of Mechanical Engineering at (818) 677-2187.

A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline from an accredited institution required. The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to effective teaching covering the core content of Mechanical Engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates are expected to have experience with modern analysis and simulation tools, a broad background in Mechanical Engineering, and the ability to develop and supervise hands-on projects for the senior design culminating experience. In addition to having a solid competency in the core discipline of Mechanical Engineering, the successful candidate will demonstrate training and experience in the design and development of mechanical control systems and robotics.  Experience with multiscale systems including single units and management of swarms is desirable.

The ability to develop and conduct an effective multidisciplinary research program in the general area of mechanical control systems is expected.  Dedication to student advisement and supervision of students is essential.  Demonstrated proficiency in both written and oral communication in English is required.  Candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach, mentor, advise and effectively work with students from diverse backgrounds.

We are seeking highly qualified candidates committed to a career in research and teaching. The successful candidates will be responsible for mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, teaching courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, developing new student design projects, and building a strong externally sponsored research program, in line with the university and college goals.

CSUN is a Learning Centered University. The successful candidate will be expected to join faculty and staff in a commitment to active learning, to participate in the assessment of learning outcomes, and to identify multiple pathways that enable students to graduate.

At time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work in the United States.

Responsibilities:  

Teaching responsibilities include instruction in undergraduate and graduate courses and participation in and supervision of student design projects. Candidates are expected to supervise Masters theses and provide academic and professional advisement to undergraduate and graduate students. Initiation and maintenance of creative scholarly activities as well as an externally funded research program are expected. Active and effective participation in curriculum development, assessment and accreditation, and other departmental activities as well as participation in professional and student organizations (e.g., ASME, ASEE) are normative expectations.

The successful candidate will be held to the standards and requirements of the college and department in which he/she is housed for recommending tenure and promotion.

Application Deadline:

Screening of applications will begin November 15, 2019. Priority will be given to applicants who meet the screening deadline; however, the position will remain open until filled.

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a cover letter that contains specific content that addresses: 1) how you would make a unique contribution to the department; 2) a preliminary plan for establishing your independent research program; 3) your experience working with a diverse population.  Your complete application will contain a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, and at least three letters of reference from professional associates. In later phases of the search process, applicants may be requested to provide verification of terminal degrees, licenses and certificates.

This institution is using Interfolio’s ByCommittee to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge to: http://apply.interfolio.com/68204