Teaching Specialist- ME Fa26- Prof. Tim Kowaleski (# 376243)

Coordinate weekly with operating room charge nurses, surgeons, and surgeon staff for scheduling visits. Manage communication and visit logistics.

Occasionally attend lectures for hands-on activities, present classroom demonstrations and tutorials about medical simulation, NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare, and integration with MSI.

Manage lab kit inventory (Haptic Telegraph)

Support student office hours online and/or in person for assignments:

Support teleoperation infrastructure via private networks, LAN bypass, or tunneling alternatives to minimize student downtime.

Especially with Python libraries (e.g. Corke) and NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare (e.g. Newton enabled medical physics simulation, Cosserat rod theory to support hands-on class activities and development of NVIDIA GPU-based course modules.)

Demonstrate and support demo or integration of electromagnetic tracking for adaptive Jacobian control or student group project work.

Introduce and manage HPC & Containerization. Build and maintain containerized workflows using both Docker and Apptainer across enterprise-scale High-Performance Computing environments using NVIDIA GPU hardware. Keep NVIDIA Isaac Sim pipelines and simulation workflows operational despite constant unexpected codebase updates or refactorizations.

Configure and troubleshoot GPU computing on MSI clusters, specifically the Agate cluster using NVIDIA A40 and L40 GPU nodes via Slurm.

Assist with course materials: assignments, documentation, scheduling of student presentation and grading of student submissions.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field required for appointment.
• The ability to instruct effectively at both the graduate and undergraduate levels to a diverse group of engineering students is required.
• Must have demonstrated competence to teach course material for ME 8284: Intermediate Robotics with Medical Applications, for example, by recently passing the course with a grade of B or above.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience teaching engineering curriculum at an institute of higher education is preferred.

About the Department

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an internationally recognized faculty, and is part of the College of Science and Engineering, the highly interdisciplinary college of engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $27.78 - $33.42 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.