What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor of Engineering position at Sweet Briar College?
Sweet Briar College, a women’s college increasingly defined by innovation, maintains a bold academic program that integrates the liberal arts with women’s leadership to prepare graduates to address the challenges facing our world. Faculty are committed to cultivating the habits of mind—in problem solving, decision making, and creativity—that are critical for leaders. These values are embedded in the College’s institutional vision and supported by our confidence that academic excellence, small classes, and dedication to empowering young women will position Sweet Briar and its graduates to thrive.
Sweet Briar is one of two women’s colleges in the United States offering an ABET-accredited engineering degree program and the college has been highly successful in preparing women for careers and graduate programs in engineering. The Margaret Jones Wyllie ’45 Engineering Program is a close-knit community of students, faculty, and staff. The nearby Lynchburg area is a growing community with many high technology companies including Framatome, BWXT nuclear, Delta Star, Glad Manufacturing, Flowserve and others. Our engineering students and faculty have opportunities to engage through consulting, internships and design projects.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sweet Briar College is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences and ideas who would increase the diversity of the College.
Job Title: Assistant Professor of Engineering
Classification: Full-time, benefits eligible, tenure-track faculty position
Reports To: STEM Division Coordinator or Head
Job Summary/Objective:
Sweet Briar College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Engineering for an initial three-year appointment beginning in either January 2027 or July 2027.. The successful candidate will be an engaged scholar-teacher and have a strong commitment to undergraduate education. The applicant will be expected to teach a courses and laboratories related to the mechanical engineering components of our Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science. This includes leading the development and expansion our thermal and fluids systems curriculum. Preference will be given to candidates that have the expertise to teach courses and laboratories in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, transport phenomena, and other related engineering topics. The College's academic calendar, with an immersive three-week “J-term” in between two traditional 14-week terms, creates an opportunity for innovative courses to take advantage of close student faculty interactions and collaboration across disciplines.
Our engineering science curriculum encompasses many fields of engineering including mechanical, electrical, civil, and environmental engineering as well as materials, and computer science. The successful candidate would have the opportunity to teach at all levels of the curriculum as well electives in the candidate’s field of expertise. The normal teaching load is 3:3.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make contributions to our women’s leadership core curriculum and engage in research with undergraduates. Institutional support for research includes internal faculty grants and an honors summer research program. We seek collaborative candidates who are eager to enthusiastically contribute to the program’s efforts to recruit women into engineering and to support the development of our engineering students
Candidates ready to work with a diverse student body are especially welcome. Sweet Briar prides itself on creating a learning environment that encourages women to fulfill their highest potential. Leadership in all walks of life is fostered by the special connections our faculty make with their students, and Sweet Briar women translate their academic experiences into interesting and important lives.
Qualifications:Required Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or closely related field;
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching;
- Demonstrated interest in working across disciplines and engaging in collaborative scholarship, teaching and service; and
- Excellent communication skills
How to Apply:
To apply, visit the Sweet Briar College Career Center: https://sbc.edu/human-resources/faculty-staff-job-openings/. All applications should include: 1) cover letter; 2) CV; 3) statement on teaching philosophy and research interests; and 4) the names and full contact information for three professional references. Items should be submitted in a single PDF file. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.