Endowed Associate/Full Professor and Executive Director Positions:

Caruth Institute for Engineering Education

Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity

Position Description – Caruth Institute for Engineering Education

The Lyle School of Engineering at SMU, led by the newly appointed visionary Mary and Richard Templeton Dean, Dr. Nader Jalili, invites qualified candidates for tenured faculty positions at the Associate and Full Professor levels to lead the Lyle School’s esteemed Caruth Institute for Engineering Education. Minimum qualifications for this position include an earned Ph.D. in a field of Engineering or a closely related discipline, with experience commensurate with the rank of associate or full professor. The departments for the appointment will be determined by the backgrounds and interests of the final candidates in one of Lyle's five departments. Joint appointments either within Lyle or across SMU will also be considered.

As a distinguished Endowed Associate/Full Professor, the ideal candidate for this position will have a strong background in engineering education, a passion for innovation, and a commitment to preparing the next generation of engineers. The Executive Director will spearhead initiatives in cutting-edge teaching methodologies and driving innovative educational strategies. The Institute will also help to secure funding for research and educational initiatives through grants and industry sponsorships; mentor and support faculty in adopting innovative teaching methods, including AI-driven simulations, personalized learning platforms, and automated assessment tools; and enhance student learning experiences through experiential learning opportunities, advanced research projects, and industry engagement. The successful candidate will advance interdisciplinary collaboration between our five departments, enhance industry partnerships, and engage with educators and students to ensure the development of future-ready engineers.

Current efforts within the Caruth Institute for Engineering Education focus on broadening participation in engineering and computer science through inclusive excellence. Existing programs within the Institute operate year-round to recruit K-12 students to STEM fields and enhance undergraduate students’ persistence within Lyle. As part of this mission, the Institute supports traditionally unrepresented students in the Lyle School through the implementation of a robust peer mentoring program. The newly hired Executive Director will contribute to advancing the mission and vision of the Caruth Institute.

In addition to continuing and expanding these existing initiatives, in its reimagined era under the leadership of the new Executive Director, the Caruth Institute will also focus on the integration of contemporary topics such as sustainable engineering, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, IoT, and advanced manufacturing into the undergraduate and graduate curriculum; promote the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) concepts into the engineering curriculum to prepare students for the evolving job market; and leading engineering education research initiatives in collaboration with other expert faculty.

All applications should be submitted through Interfolio: https://www.smu.edu/lyle/departments/faculty-openings

Position Description – Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity

The Lyle School of Engineering at SMU, led by the newly-appointed visionary Mary and Richard Templeton Dean, Dr. Nader Jalili, invites qualified candidates for tenured faculty positions at the Associate and Full Professor levels to lead Lyle School’s esteemed Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity (“The Institute”). Minimum qualifications for this position include an earned Ph.D. in the appropriate or a closely related discipline, with experience commensurate with the rank of associate or full professor. The departments for the appointment will be determined by the backgrounds and interests of the final candidates in one of Lyle's five departments. Joint appointments either within Lyle or across SMU will also be considered. 

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of both the technological innovations required for sustainable energy solutions and the human-centered approaches that support the well-being of underserved populations. The Institute’s mission is rooted in advancing both scientific excellence and humanitarian impact. We seek candidates who are passionate about the intersection of energy research and community engagement, and who are committed to fostering inclusive and equitable solutions that address global challenges. The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Institute's work remains focused on improving the lives of marginalized communities while advancing cutting-edge research in energy and sustainability.

The Hunt Institute, in its reimagined era, will focus on critical sustainability and humanitarian challenges related to global energy issues. These challenges include fundamental and applied topics such as carbon reduction and management; energy conservation; renewable energy technologies and production; power efficiency, management, and distribution; advanced energy storage and conversion technologies; hydrogen transportation and economy; power grid management; natural gas transportation; energy modeling and artificial intelligence (AI); impacts and needs of under-resourced communities; and assessment of sustainability, access, and affordability of energy technologies and solutions.

In recent years, significant funding has been allocated to energy initiatives in the United States and SMU is an ideal location for directing this funding towards human-centered research. Texas’ $172 billion energy sector dominates both renewable and non-renewable energy in the United States. The Cox School of Business’ Maguire Energy Institute provides unique opportunities for collaboration. Dallas is also home to the Environment Protection Agency Region 6 office, as well as a large philanthropic community deeply invested in humanitarian causes. The Institute Director can build on these strengths and collaborate with faculty and students through activities such as establishing industry and government-funded collaborative research activities, promoting resilient R&D collaborations, developing outreach and education activities, and forming national and international partnerships to advance crucial technologies for under-resourced communities.

All applications should be submitted through Interfolio: https://www.smu.edu/lyle/departments/faculty-openings

Qualifications

An accomplished academic suitable for an endowed associate or full professorship with an earned Ph.D. in the appropriate or a closely related discipline, and a profound understanding of engineering education, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The expertise will inspire and guide the next generation of trailblazers, bridging the gap between theory and real-world impact.

Application Instructions

Candidates are required to submit with their application a cover letter that includes research and teaching statements, a statement of leadership background and philosophy, Curriculum Vitae, and contact information for three professional references.  Successful candidates will also present a vision for continued growth and development of the institute. To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be received by November 1, 2024. The committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled and will notify applicants of its employment decisions after the position is filled. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. The start date for this position is negotiable, but the desired start date is January or August 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Southern Methodist University (SMU) will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.