"Assistant Professor in Engineering Management"

About the Team

The Faculty of Engineering is one of North America's top engineering schools, known for innovation, collaboration, and impact. It fosters an exceptional student experience through a holistic approach that combines technical excellence with emotional intelligence. With strong community engagement, interdisciplinary research, and a commitment to societal well-being, the faculty prepares students to lead in a rapidly evolving, global engineering landscape.

Description

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta is seeking applications for a full-time tenure track Assistant Professor position in engineering management, with a particular focus on supply chain optimization, operations research, logistics, quality assurance, process reliability, engineering safety and risk management, project management, facilities design and layout, manufacturing systems, business process re-engineering, production planning, systems engineering, and/or the application of data analytics and machine learning to industrial engineering. The ability to teach broadly in the undergraduate mechanical engineering program will be of paramount importance, with special emphasis on engineering management or industrial engineering topics. Exceptional candidates in closely related areas or at the rank of Associate Professor may be considered.

This role will be in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Applicants who value working across disciplinary boundaries, within and outside engineering, as well as with communities and industry are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are looking to join a Faculty with a growing focus on interdisciplinary research and an emphasis on high-quality teaching, we welcome your application!

About the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Alberta

The Faculty of Engineering aims to maintain its position among the top schools in North America. We will do this through innovation and excellence from faculty members and staff who value collaboration, interdisciplinary work, and an engaging and positive work culture. We are dedicated to solving the world's greatest challenges and building a better future for society by:

• Building the future through people in a collaborative, cross-functional environment
• Developing minds and hands with heart by taking a holistic approach to provide an exceptional student experience through education and enrichment that strives to develop the highest-calibre engineers: Those who process both technical acumen and emotional intelligence, expanding the traditional definition of “engineering.”
• Demonstrating the ever-expanding value of our contributions through community engagement, research impact, and value to society
• Solving the world's greatest challenges by uniquely positioning the engineering field to help uplift the whole of humanity

The University of Alberta exists to inspire and ignite the human spirit in pursuit of a better tomorrow. Its work is rooted in its demonstrated understanding of the importance of practices to ensure access, foster community connections and increase belonging, while honouring Indigenous identities, languages, cultures, and world views. As one of the world's top 100 teaching and research universities, the U of A ranks among the top 5 in Canada, providing a $19.4 billion annual economic impact in Alberta alone. The U of A seeks to challenge, to change, and to always be Leading with Purpose. More than 44,000 students and 13,000 staff shape the U of A, with outstanding achievements in learning, research, creativity, innovation, and engagement across five campuses — including one rural and one francophone. The U of A attracts top talent in rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 17 faculties across three colleges and more than $550 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A has more than 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Professor role is the starting point on the academic faculty member career pathway at the University of Alberta. Faculty members are full members of the department and play an active role in democratic processes and governance. The responsibilities of the role include active participation in teaching, research, and service:

• Teaching (40%): Participation in teaching programs, including classroom teaching, supervision of students conducting research, and personal interactions with and advising students. An Academic Faculty member may decide on specific course content and instructional methodology, recognizing the approved course description, and academic policy approved by the Department, the Faculty, and the University. Teaching is year-round with most courses in the Fall (September to December) and Winter (January to April) semesters. Teaching assignments are decided in discussion with the Department Chair. As the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board accredits the undergraduate degree programs, licensure as a Professional Engineer is required. Licensure must be obtained within five years of hire date.
• Research (40%): Participation in research, including the preparation or performance of creative works and reflective inquiry, and disseminating research results by means appropriate to the discipline. Academic Faculty members are encouraged to seek financial support for research from granting agencies or other sources.
• Service (20%): An Academic Faculty member shall be actively engaged in service to the University and participate in the collegial responsibilities of departmental, Faculty, and University governance. Provision of service to the discipline of the Academic Faculty member; participation in the governance of the University, the Faculty, and the Department, and dissemination of knowledge to the general public by making available the Academic Faculty member’s expertise and knowledge of the discipline.

The Department Chair supervises Faculty Members. Annually, Faculty Members prepare and submit a report of their university responsibilities to the Department Chair and the Dean. For information about the responsibilities, salary, benefits, leaves, and related details, see the most recent collective agreement.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field
• Experience effectively communicating the results of research within and outside of the academy, including publications in reputable, peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings
• Ability to effectively develop, instruct, and engage learners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to teach broadly in the undergraduate mechanical engineering program

Qualifications Considered an Asset

• Teaching experience and training in teaching, lesson planning, and curriculum design
• Teaching, research, service, and volunteer work related to the role as well as community boards and organizations and outreach to and helping in underserved and underrepresented communities
• Licensure or progress towards licensure as a Professional Engineer
• Grant application and financial management experience and/or training
• Industry experience in engineering, trades, sciences, and technology industries
• Experience with interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects as well as with managing large, multi-year research projects
• Experience working with industry and community partners for research projects
• Team, lab, and facility management experience, including but not limited to safety, supervision, and procurement

How to Apply

Please ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria above. To apply, please Apply Now and submit the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae including your research, teaching, and service experience related to the role and responsibilities as well as the qualifications above.
• Research Plan that includes:
  • A statement that outlines research experience, the main areas of current research, and short- and long-term research goals (maximum 2 pages)
  • A leadership philosophy outlining how you will build and retain a high-performing and diverse research team, including your plans for universal design and inclusivity for the research environment and the team, and for equitable opportunities for all members of the team to engage with the work being conducted and other opportunities that will advance their career goals (maximum 1 page)
  • Up to 3 recent peer-reviewed research publications
• Statement of Teaching Interests that includes:
  • A statement on your teaching philosophy and approach to teaching, including how you will contribute to our culture of providing exceptional educational experiences that focus on learner engagement and inclusivity, experiential and active learning while building engineering knowledge and skills as well as emotional intelligence, social mindedness, and ethics (maximum 2-pages)
  • Evidence and potential for teaching effectiveness, such as related training, teaching assistantships, courses instructed, recent course evaluations, and example course outlines for courses you delivered as an instructor

Members of selection committees will be aware of the principles of employment equity, fair selection, and the risks of bias. If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

Next Steps

• Applicants will be accepted until Sunday, 4 January 2026 at 11:55 pm. University representatives will review application packages, and should the Hiring Committee advance your application, you will be contacted for an online pre-interview.
• Please note that applications with missing information or components will not be considered.
• For applicants selected for interviews, three letters of reference will be requested. Applicants will be expected to contact the three referees and arrange to have them submit their letters of reference via email attachment. Details will be provided to those candidates selected for interviews.