Assistant Professor | Mechanical and Materials Engineering - Soft Materials
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Before you apply
Salary$105k – $110k
LocationWorcester
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityEntry
DepartmentMechanical & Materials Engineering
Company size1,001–5,000 people
PostedOct 5, 2026 · 4w ago
Verified live13h ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
PhD or equivalent degree in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, polymer science, or a closely related discipline
Strong background in soft materials
Excellence in research related to design, processing, characterization, and application of soft matter systems
Excellence in teaching related to design, processing, characterization, and application of soft matter systems
Ability to develop an active externally funded research program
Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and related areas
Demonstrated ability to develop innovative, multidisciplinary research programs addressing important societal challenges
Expertise in polymers, elastomers, gels, colloids, biomaterials, functional soft materials, stimuli-responsive materials, sustainable materials, soft composites, materials for energy and environmental applications, and advanced characterization and modeling of soft matter
Research integrating materials design with AI, machine learning, data-driven materials discovery, advanced manufacturing, or multiscale modeling
Applications in healthcare, biomedical technologies, energy storage/conversion, sustainable materials, circular economy, soft robotics, wearable/flexible electronics, advanced manufacturing
Benefits
Retirement match
Wellness perks
Tuition assistance
JOB TITLE
About the role
Assistant Professor | Mechanical and Materials Engineering - Soft Materials
LOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
Mechanical & Materials Engineering
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seeks applicants for a tenure-track faculty position in the area of Soft Materials available at the assistant professor level. The successful candidate will possess a strong background in soft materials and demonstrate excellence in research and teaching related to the design, processing, characterization, and application of soft matter systems.
Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, polymers, elastomers, gels, colloids, biomaterials, functional soft materials, stimuli-responsive materials, sustainable materials, soft composites, materials for energy and environmental applications, and advanced characterization and modeling of soft matter. Research that integrates materials design with emerging approaches such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data-driven materials discovery, advanced manufacturing, or multiscale modeling is particularly welcome.
Applications may span areas such as healthcare and biomedical technologies, energy storage and conversion, sustainable materials and circular economy, soft robotics, wearable and flexible electronics, advanced manufacturing, and other areas complementary to the department’s existing strengths. A demonstrated ability to develop innovative, multidisciplinary research programs addressing important societal challenges is highly desirable.
Requirements
The candidate will be expected to develop an active externally funded research program and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and related areas. Candidates must possess a PhD or equivalent degree in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, polymer science, or a closely related discipline.
This position is expected to be filled at the Assistant Professor level. For experienced candidates, rank will be commensurate with experience.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at WPI (https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/mechanical-materials-engineering) has 25 dual-mission faculty, 8 full-time teaching faculty, and 13 research faculty. MME offers undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering to over 1200 students. The department offers graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, and manufacturing engineering to about 200 graduate students. The department’s annual externally sponsored research expenditures have exceeded $19.7M.
WPI’s reputation as a rigorous and innovative university rests on the shoulders of its faculty. A highly selective, private technological university and one of the nation’s first, WPI believes that when great minds work together, great advances follow. At WPI the boundaries to multidisciplinary collaboration are low—faculty members, students, and other partners work together on the real-world projects and purposeful research that are hallmarks of the WPI experience. Located one hour west of Boston, the university’s campus is in Worcester, Massachusetts, a thriving 21st century college city recognized as a growing hub of scientific and technological innovation.
To Apply:
Applications should include curriculum vitae, statements of teaching and research interests, and a list of five professional references.
This search will remain open until the position is filled. Questions can be addressed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Professor Jianyu Liang, [email protected].
Compensation:
Salary: $105,000 - $110,000 per year. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity. WPI’s benefits package includes a robust retirement match, wellness perks, tuition assistance and more!
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.