Faculty Position in Materials in Nuclear Environments

Job Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position (assistant/associate/full) in advanced materials and material behavior in nuclear environments, starting August 2026, to contribute to our growth in nuclear engineering. We seek candidates with expertise in advanced materials for applications with nuclear exposure (power, medical, space) including components, structural materials and electronics, as well as those exploring novel nuclear fuels. Research can be computational and/or experimental to support investigations that assess material limitations and identify potential improvements to reactor design feasibility and operational longevity, both of which impact reactor performance, safety, and sustainability. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is significant interest in nuclear energy to meet the growing power demands of data centers and in supporting nuclear applications in the military. Candidates with experience in next generation of power reactors (small modular reactors, fusion, etc.) are highly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have broad strengths in the fundamental aspects of mechanical and nuclear engineering and will contribute to a large, collegial, interdisciplinary, and thriving department with a strong tradition of fundamental and applied research.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a PhD in mechanical or nuclear engineering (or a closely related field), a strong record of academic accomplishments, a proven ability to work collaboratively, a commitment to interdisciplinary research and instruction, and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries to address complex technical and societal challenges.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

Review Date

November 10, 2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Amanda Collins at mandamcg@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.