What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering position at Inside Higher Ed?
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at Valparaiso University (https://www.valpo.edu/college-of-engineering/) invites applications for a postdoctoral teaching fellowship.
Valparaiso University (“Valpo”) is a community of learning grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith that prepares students to lead and serve both church and society. Valpo is a comprehensive university with an enrollment of approximately 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students and is consistently recognized as one of the best private universities in the Midwest.
Valparaiso University’s undergraduate-only College of Engineering offers ABET-accredited BS degrees in mechanical engineering and bioengineering. The College of Engineering enrolls approximately 150 mechanical engineering and bioengineering students. The College of Engineering at Valpo is currently ranked 26th in Engineering Programs (non-doctoral) in the 2026 U.S. News Rankings.
The successful candidate for the postdoctoral teaching fellowship will be passionate about teaching engineering undergraduate students and developing courses and laboratory experiences that enhance the mechanical engineering and bioengineering programs. They will also be able to interact and effectively communicate with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds. The candidate selected will teach required and/or elective courses in mechanical engineering and/or bioengineering, capstone design, and general engineering courses. Candidates should have an earned doctorate in mechanical engineering, bioengineering/biomedical engineering, or a related engineering field.
The postdoctoral teaching fellow will receive support to enhance their teaching effectiveness and the honor of holding the esteemed fellowship. The fellow will be granted release time to observe classes and laboratories taught by the faculty in the department and will have the chance to participate in a group-taught course to work directly with experienced faculty. The faculty will help the fellow develop course materials, will frequently observe the fellow teaching to provide feedback, and will provide a thorough annual evaluation akin to that of an evaluation received by a tenure-track faculty member.
Please direct questions about the postdoctoral teaching fellowship to Prof. Luke Venstrom, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering, at luke.venstrom@valpo.edu. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
As a campus with an increasingly diverse student body, we encourage applicants with a commitment to, and experience in, mentoring students from an array of backgrounds. Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, and contact information for three references to Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/186856. In your cover letter, please include brief statements of (a) how you might contribute to the university’s distinctive mission and (b) what experiences you have had which will enable you to mentor a diverse student body. Candidates who submit names of references should expect that the search committee will contact these references in confidence and that credentials will be confirmed prior to hire. Candidates should also expect that the search committee will review their LinkedIn profile. Employment will require a satisfactory criminal background check. Applications will be considered until the position is filled; however, applicants are encouraged to apply by June 15, 2026 for timely consideration.
About The Community
Valpo is located in Valparaiso Indiana, a county seat of 35,000 residents with high quality schools and an active social community located 50 miles from downtown Chicago and only 14 miles from the beautiful Indiana Dunes National Park. Valparaiso is home to 13 city parks, over 20 miles of bike trails, and award-winning downtown gathering spaces that house year-round community events including: the Popcorn Festival, music concerts, ice skating, farmer’s markets and more. The city was built to support neighborhood activities, with most neighborhoods being within walking distance of parks, schools, and communal spaces. With the university located less than one mile from downtown, its central location within the community makes it easy for employees to enjoy the growing amenities the city has to offer. Valparaiso has been recognized as one of the top communities in Indiana and is in one of the fastest growing counties in the state. It is an area that continues to show economic growth and diversification of its residents.
EOE And Nondiscrimination Policies
Valparaiso University does not unlawfully discriminate and aims to employ persons of various backgrounds and experiences to develop and support a diverse community. Its EOE policy can be found at http://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/policies/equal-opportunity-policy/. Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds. In addition to strong academic qualifications and excellence in teaching, the University highly values experience in working across cultural and other significant differences. Employment at Valparaiso University will require a satisfactory criminal background check.
Valparaiso University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Valparaiso University is a welcoming community, grounded in the Lutheran tradition, built on values of mutual respect positive regard, freedom, and reliance on grace. We strive to boldly include all individuals and groups who contribute to the life of our campus in a mutually beneficial way. Difference is a strength and reason for celebration, and we affirm that we are most inclusive when we bring groups together to make decisions in collaborative, equitable ways. Our values do not support language or behavior that demeans members of our campus based on age, appearance, ethnicity, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, biological sex, disabilities (mental and physical), ideological/political positions, intellectual perspective, socio-economic status, immigration status, veteran status, and national or regional origin. Actions and behaviors based on positions or perspectives that inherently marginalize, oppress, or deny full dignity to all are not tolerated. Nothing herein shall limit academic freedom or the freedom of expression pursuant to University policy related to either. As such, we will consistently and vigilantly assess our academic and co-curricular offerings and our admissions, hiring, and promotion policies in reflection of these values.
Valparaiso University (“Valpo”) is a community of learning grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith that prepares students to lead and serve both church and society. Valpo is a comprehensive university with an enrollment of approximately 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students and is consistently recognized as one of the best private universities in the Midwest.
Valparaiso University’s undergraduate-only College of Engineering offers ABET-accredited BS degrees in mechanical engineering and bioengineering. The College of Engineering enrolls approximately 150 mechanical engineering and bioengineering students. The College of Engineering at Valpo is currently ranked 26th in Engineering Programs (non-doctoral) in the 2026 U.S. News Rankings.
The successful candidate for the postdoctoral teaching fellowship will be passionate about teaching engineering undergraduate students and developing courses and laboratory experiences that enhance the mechanical engineering and bioengineering programs. They will also be able to interact and effectively communicate with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds. The candidate selected will teach required and/or elective courses in mechanical engineering and/or bioengineering, capstone design, and general engineering courses. Candidates should have an earned doctorate in mechanical engineering, bioengineering/biomedical engineering, or a related engineering field.
The postdoctoral teaching fellow will receive support to enhance their teaching effectiveness and the honor of holding the esteemed fellowship. The fellow will be granted release time to observe classes and laboratories taught by the faculty in the department and will have the chance to participate in a group-taught course to work directly with experienced faculty. The faculty will help the fellow develop course materials, will frequently observe the fellow teaching to provide feedback, and will provide a thorough annual evaluation akin to that of an evaluation received by a tenure-track faculty member.
Please direct questions about the postdoctoral teaching fellowship to Prof. Luke Venstrom, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering, at luke.venstrom@valpo.edu. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
As a campus with an increasingly diverse student body, we encourage applicants with a commitment to, and experience in, mentoring students from an array of backgrounds. Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, and contact information for three references to Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/186856. In your cover letter, please include brief statements of (a) how you might contribute to the university’s distinctive mission and (b) what experiences you have had which will enable you to mentor a diverse student body. Candidates who submit names of references should expect that the search committee will contact these references in confidence and that credentials will be confirmed prior to hire. Candidates should also expect that the search committee will review their LinkedIn profile. Employment will require a satisfactory criminal background check. Applications will be considered until the position is filled; however, applicants are encouraged to apply by June 15, 2026 for timely consideration.
About The Community
Valpo is located in Valparaiso Indiana, a county seat of 35,000 residents with high quality schools and an active social community located 50 miles from downtown Chicago and only 14 miles from the beautiful Indiana Dunes National Park. Valparaiso is home to 13 city parks, over 20 miles of bike trails, and award-winning downtown gathering spaces that house year-round community events including: the Popcorn Festival, music concerts, ice skating, farmer’s markets and more. The city was built to support neighborhood activities, with most neighborhoods being within walking distance of parks, schools, and communal spaces. With the university located less than one mile from downtown, its central location within the community makes it easy for employees to enjoy the growing amenities the city has to offer. Valparaiso has been recognized as one of the top communities in Indiana and is in one of the fastest growing counties in the state. It is an area that continues to show economic growth and diversification of its residents.
EOE And Nondiscrimination Policies
Valparaiso University does not unlawfully discriminate and aims to employ persons of various backgrounds and experiences to develop and support a diverse community. Its EOE policy can be found at http://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/policies/equal-opportunity-policy/. Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds. In addition to strong academic qualifications and excellence in teaching, the University highly values experience in working across cultural and other significant differences. Employment at Valparaiso University will require a satisfactory criminal background check.
Valparaiso University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Valparaiso University is a welcoming community, grounded in the Lutheran tradition, built on values of mutual respect positive regard, freedom, and reliance on grace. We strive to boldly include all individuals and groups who contribute to the life of our campus in a mutually beneficial way. Difference is a strength and reason for celebration, and we affirm that we are most inclusive when we bring groups together to make decisions in collaborative, equitable ways. Our values do not support language or behavior that demeans members of our campus based on age, appearance, ethnicity, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, biological sex, disabilities (mental and physical), ideological/political positions, intellectual perspective, socio-economic status, immigration status, veteran status, and national or regional origin. Actions and behaviors based on positions or perspectives that inherently marginalize, oppress, or deny full dignity to all are not tolerated. Nothing herein shall limit academic freedom or the freedom of expression pursuant to University policy related to either. As such, we will consistently and vigilantly assess our academic and co-curricular offerings and our admissions, hiring, and promotion policies in reflection of these values.