Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering invites applications for a tenured/tenure track Assistant/Associate Professor position in the broad area of Automotive Engineering & Transportation. Successful candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline by the start of the employment. Early-career applicants should show evidence of initiating independent research, while mid-career applicants should demonstrate a sustained record of independent research within academic or industrial organizations, and contributions to education and/or mentoring. The successful candidate will conduct original research, advise graduate students, teach undergraduate and graduate level courses, and perform service at the School, College, and University levels. The location of this position, including teaching responsibilities, is in Indianapolis.

School and College

The School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University is ranked 8th nationally for undergraduate programs, 8th for graduate programs, and 1st for online graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report. The School of ME is the largest ME program in the nation, with approximately 3400 undergraduate students, 1250 graduate students, 125 faculty, and 70 staff. The position is based at Purdue University in Indianapolis, the flagship campus’ urban extension launched in 2024, which places School of ME faculty at the center of Indiana’s automotive and motorsports ecosystem. Purdue’s Motorsports Engineering program, the only ABET-accredited program of its kind in the nation, is housed in the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, less than a mile from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, providing classroom, hands-on, and diagnostic testing space alongside the chassis supplier for the IndyCar Series. Central Indiana is home to IndyCar, IMSA, and NHRA, and to major propulsion and vehicle manufacturers, including Rolls-Royce (with which Purdue holds a 10-year, $75 million strategic alliance), Allison Transmission, and Cummins, with Stellantis, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, and GM vehicle and battery plants across the state. Faculty in Indianapolis also have full access to the School’s research infrastructure in West Lafayette, about an hour away, including Ray W. Herrick Labs, Maurice Zucrow Labs, and Maha Fluid Power Labs.

The School of ME is an integral part of Purdue’s College of Engineering. Purdue Engineering is renowned for top-notch faculty and students, unique research facilities and innovations, and a culture of collegiality and persistent pursuit of preeminence. As one of the top ranked and largest engineering colleges in the nation, we are the first among U.S. engineering colleges in annual graduates and market demand, and have 9 degree programs ranked in the top 10 nationally. Purdue Engineering continues to remain a top-ranked college for patents and translation of our research activities to practice in the state, nation, and world.  More than 70 Purdue Engineering faculty and alumni are National Academy of Engineering members, and we look to continue bringing outstanding faculty to campus, remaining the leader in affordable excellence at scale by guiding strategic growth through investment in people, exciting initiatives, and facilities.

Application Process

To apply, please submit applications to this site including (1) a cover letter, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) a 2-page teaching plan, (4) a 3-page research plan, and (5) names and contact information for at least 5 references. The search committee may contact references to request letters. For information/questions regarding applications, contact Engineering Academic Affairs, Purdue Engineering, at coeacademicaffairs@purdue.edu. Review of applications will begin on October 25th, 2026. Applications received by December 25th, 2026 will be given full consideration. A background check is required for employment in this position.

Purdue and the College of Engineering have a Concierge Program that provides dual career assistance and relocation services.

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.