Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, often called Olin College, stands out as a premier undergraduate institution dedicated to revolutionizing engineering education. Located in Needham, Massachusetts, just outside Boston, this small liberal arts engineering college enrolls around 400 students and emphasizes project-based learning (PBL), where students tackle real-world problems from their first year. Founded in 1997 with a significant endowment from the F.W. Olin Foundation, Olin opened its doors in 2001, quickly gaining acclaim for its innovative approach that integrates design, entrepreneurship, and liberal arts.
Jobs at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering attract educators, researchers, and administrators passionate about transformative teaching. The college's model prioritizes collaboration over traditional lectures, making roles here ideal for those who thrive in dynamic, student-centered environments. With proximity to MIT and Harvard, Olin fosters partnerships that enrich professional opportunities. Whether you're eyeing faculty jobs or support positions, Olin offers a unique ecosystem for career growth in higher education.
Olin College was established to address shortcomings in conventional engineering programs by focusing on creativity and teamwork. Its mission—to produce graduates who design products, processes, and systems that benefit society—shapes every job. Early faculty pioneered the Olin curriculum, blending engineering with humanities, and this legacy continues in hiring practices that value interdisciplinary thinkers.
Key milestones include launching the PartnerShop makerspace in 2002 and formalizing collaborations with Babson College for business skills and Wellesley College for liberal arts. These partnerships open doors for joint research roles. Today, jobs at Olin reflect this history, emphasizing innovation amid challenges like the COVID-19 pivot to hybrid learning, where faculty adapted PBL virtually.
Olin offers a single Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE), customizable through concentrations like robotics, bioengineering, and electrical/computer engineering. No traditional majors exist; instead, students pursue passions via projects. Departments are fluid, with faculty contributing across areas such as mechanical engineering, materials science, and design.
This structure influences jobs, with faculty often teaching multiple courses and mentoring capstone projects. Administrative roles support this, from admissions to facilities managing advanced labs. For insights into university job types, Olin exemplifies how positions align with hands-on curricula.
Project-Based Learning (PBL): An educational approach where students learn by actively engaging in real-world projects, developing skills through iteration and reflection, central to Olin's pedagogy.
Endowment: A permanent fund providing financial stability; Olin's $460 million endowment (as of recent reports) funds tuition-free education for students, easing faculty research burdens.
Interdisciplinary: Combining multiple fields; Olin jobs require blending engineering with arts, business, or sciences.
For faculty positions at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, a PhD in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., mechanical, electrical, or biomedical engineering) is standard. Tenure-track roles demand proven teaching ability, often evidenced by postdoctoral experience or industry practice. Non-tenure staff like lecturers need a master's minimum, but PhD preferred for credibility in Olin's rigorous environment.
Administrative jobs vary: admissions roles favor bachelor's in higher ed with experience; lab managers require BS/MS in engineering plus safety certifications. All emphasize alignment with Olin's values.
Olin's research prioritizes human-centered design, sustainable systems, and robotics. Faculty lead initiatives like the SCOPE program (Student's Center for Outreach, Project, and Engineering), partnering with companies for senior projects. Expertise in areas like additive manufacturing, AI ethics, or renewable energy is sought. Collaborative grants with NSF highlight needs for interdisciplinary researchers comfortable in small-team settings.
Explore research jobs for similar opportunities emphasizing impact over volume of publications.
Preferred experience includes publications in top journals, grant writing (e.g., NSF CAREER awards), and industry internships. For faculty, mentoring startups via Olin's e-team program is a plus. Skills encompass strong communication for PBL facilitation, proficiency in CAD software or programming (Python, MATLAB), and adaptability.
Competencies like empathy for diverse student needs, leadership in teams, and entrepreneurial mindset are core. Staff roles value event planning or DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) experience.
To apply for jobs at Olin, visit their careers page on olin.edu, submitting a cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy statement, research plan, and three references. Deadlines align with academic cycles; tenure-track searches run fall/winter.
Tips:
Read how to write a winning academic CV for edge.
Olin commits to inclusive excellence via the PULE program, training faculty on equitable teaching. The IDEAL center supports underrepresented students; faculty hiring includes bias training and clusters for women/minorities in STEM. Examples: Grace Hopper Celebration attendance funding, affinity groups like oSTEM, and 50% women undergrads influencing diverse hires. Recent efforts target first-gen faculty.
Olin's 70-acre campus features modern labs, dorms, and the Campus Center for events. Work-life balance shines with 4-day teaching weeks, sabbaticals, and wellness stipends. Near Boston, enjoy cultural access; family leave is generous. Community includes faculty-student dinners, sports clubs, and HackBoston. Flexible hours suit parents/researchers, with low burnout from supportive culture.
Check employer branding secrets Olin embodies.
Competitive salaries ($120K+ assistant prof), full health/dental, 403(b) matching, tuition remission. PD includes conferences, Olin Fellowship for curriculum design. Relocation aid for MA moves.
Olin jobs offer impact in a top-ranked (U.S. News #1 undergrad engineering) setting. For more, browse higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post a job if recruiting.
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