Materials Engineering Faculty Jobs and Academic Careers

Explore academic careers in Materials Engineering within the Engineering field. Opportunities range from faculty positions at top universities to research roles in cutting-edge labs, focusing on developing new materials for various industries.

Ignite Your Passion for Innovation: Materials Engineering Careers in Academia Beckon!

Materials Engineering faculty jobs represent a gateway to pioneering advancements in nanotechnology, sustainable materials, and biomaterials that shape our world. With demand surging due to electric vehicles, semiconductors, and renewable energy, academic positions offer stability and prestige. Whether you're a PhD graduate eyeing professorships or a student charting your path, opportunities abound in universities worldwide. Discover higher ed jobs tailored for Materials Engineering experts, from assistant professor roles to tenured chairs. Rate standout professors who mentor the next generation on Rate My Professor, and explore salary benchmarks via professor salaries. This field blends physics, chemistry, and engineering to develop everything from stronger alloys to quantum dots. In 2024, U.S. News ranks MIT at the top for graduate programs, fueling a job market where postdocs transition to faculty at rates above engineering averages. Parents and job seekers, note the interdisciplinary appeal attracting Ivy League talent. Dive into higher ed career advice to land your role amid trends like perovskite solar cells boosting efficiency to 25% in labs.

Understanding Materials Engineering in Academia

Materials Engineering focuses on designing and testing materials at atomic levels for applications in aerospace, electronics, and biomedicine. Faculty roles involve research, teaching undergrads advanced composites, and securing NSF grants averaging $500K annually. A quirky fringe: In 2018, a UC Berkeley team engineered virus-templated batteries, slashing charging times—highlighting academia's edge over industry. Check Materials Engineering professor ratings to find mentors like those at Georgia Tech innovating graphene armor.

Student Guide: Studying Materials Engineering

Aspiring students start with a BS in Materials Science and Engineering, pursuing MS/PhD for faculty tracks. Core courses cover thermodynamics, polymer science, and failure analysis. Career paths diverge: 60% enter industry at firms like Boeing, but academia offers tenure security. Parents, consider top programs; Ivy League schools like Cornell excel in biomaterials. Use SAT score calculator for admissions. Rate courses via Rate My Professor for Materials Engineering electives.

Bachelor's Level

Foundational labs in metallurgy; average starting salary $75K post-grad.

PhD Path

Research focus; 4-6 years, leading to postdocs paying $60K-$70K.

Faculty Job Opportunities and Trends

Materials Engineering professor jobs cluster at research universities, with 1,200 U.S. openings projected by 2030 per BLS. Trends include AI-optimized alloys and 3D-printed organs. Fringe case: Texas A&M leads in oilfield materials, quirkily adapting fracking tech for carbon capture. Seek professor jobs or lecturer jobs in California via US California jobs. Remote options grow at remote higher ed jobs.

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Salaries in Materials Engineering Academia

Engineering professors outearn humanities peers; link trends to NSF funding spikes. Explore full data at professor salaries.

RoleMedian Salary (2023)Top Location Avg.
Assistant Professor$110,000CA: $130K
Associate Professor$140,000MA: $155K
Full Professor$175,000CA: $210K

Note: Figures from AAUP 2023; prestige boosts at MIT by 30%.

Top Materials Engineering Programs

Elite programs drive prestige; Ivy League guide highlights Princeton's nanomaterials.

MIT

#1 US News 2024; quantum materials focus.

Stanford

Energy storage leader; Silicon Valley ties.

UC Berkeley

Virus-based innovations; high faculty ratings.

Associations for Materials Engineering

  • Materials Research Society

    An international organization dedicated to advancing materials research and technology through interdisciplinary collaboration and education.

  • ASM International

    A professional society focused on serving the materials science and engineering profession through education, information, and networking.

  • The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

    A professional organization that connects minerals, metals, and materials scientists and engineers to advance the field through conferences and publications.

  • Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining

    A UK-based engineering institution promoting the development and application of materials, minerals, and mining for the benefit of society.

  • European Materials Research Society

    An organization that fosters collaboration among European materials scientists and engineers through symposia and publications.

  • Materials Australia

    A professional society supporting materials engineers and scientists in Australia through education, certification, and industry networking.

  • Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM

    A Canadian society focused on advancing the fields of metallurgy and materials through technical conferences, publications, and professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What degrees lead to Materials Engineering faculty jobs?

A PhD in Materials Engineering or Science is essential for tenure-track roles. BS/MS build foundations in ceramics and semiconductors. Check professor ratings on Rate My Professor for program insights.

💰What is the salary for Materials Engineering professors?

Median $140K for associates (AAUP 2023), up to $210K in California. Full details at professor salaries. Prestige at Stanford adds premiums.

🏆Which universities top Materials Engineering rankings?

MIT #1, Stanford #2 (US News 2024). Explore Ivy League schools like Harvard for related fields. Rate faculty via Rate My Professor.

How to rate Materials Engineering professors?

Share experiences on Rate My Professor to guide peers. Focus on research output and teaching in nanomaterials.

🔬What trends shape Materials Engineering jobs?

Quantum materials and sustainable batteries drive growth (6% BLS 2023-33). Fringe: MIT's virus batteries. Find jobs at research jobs.

💻Are remote Materials Engineering faculty jobs available?

Yes, adjunct and research roles via remote higher ed jobs. Traditional tenure prefers on-site labs.

📈Job outlook for Materials Engineering academics?

Strong, with EV demand boosting hires. See higher ed career advice for strategies.

Materials Engineering vs. Materials Science?

Engineering emphasizes applications; Science more fundamental. Both lead to faculty jobs; rate experts on Rate My Professor.
119 Jobs Found

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
Academic / Faculty
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Closes: Feb 25, 2026

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
Academic / Faculty
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Closes: Feb 24, 2026
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