Material Science Engineer Jobs in Rolla, MO (NOW HIRING)

Hiring Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Job Description
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in Rolla, Missouri seeks outstanding applicants for tenure-track faculty positions at the assistant or associate professor rank in aerospace engineering. We are especially interested in candidates whose research and teaching interests align with space systems, aerospace design/systems engineering, flight dynamics and control, and aerospace structures. Excellent candidates in other fields relevant to aerospace engineering will also be considered. Applicants are encouraged to clearly detail how their aerospace-related education and experience will be reflected in their research and teaching activities at Missouri S&T and elaborate on their potential contributions to aerospace disciplines.
Successful applicants will demonstrate alignment with one or more of Missouri S&T's multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator research centers and programs, including the Intelligent Systems Center , the Center for Research in Energy and the Environment , and the Kummer Center for Advanced Manufacturing . The Kummer Institute was established through a $300 million gift to transform Missouri S&T by cultivating leadership and technological innovation, nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset, fostering academic-industry partnerships, and creating economic growth for the region, state, and nation.
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is the largest department on campus, and each of its degree programs is the largest and highest-ranked among public institutions in Missouri. The department has nearly tripled its research expenditures over the last four years and has a long-established record of research excellence, with five junior faculty having received CAREER and DoD Young Investigator awards in the last ten years. Several Ph.D. students have received prestigious fellowships from NASA, NSF, and DoD, and the department is also home to the Missouri Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-funded, statewide program supporting space-related research, fellowships, and outreach. Housed in a state-of-the-art 145,000-square-foot facility, the department includes 28 internationally recognized tenured/tenure-track faculty, 9 teaching faculty, 10 staff members, over 160 graduate students (including 80 Ph.D. students), over 1,400 undergraduate students, and over 12,000 living alumni.
The department is equally proud of its many award-winning teachers and deeply values excellence in the classroom. We are looking for colleagues who are as energized by mentoring and teaching students in the classroom and laboratory as they are by advancing the frontiers of their research field, and who will help us continue to prepare engineers who are as strong in fundamentals and hands-on practice as they are in emerging computational and AI-enabled tools.
Qualifications
Applicants must provide evidence of, and potential for, excellence in (a) high-quality, innovative teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels, (b) establishing a strong, externally funded research program, and (c) service in the applicant's professional community and/or institution. Qualified candidates will possess a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
Application Materials
Interested candidates should electronically submit an application consisting of: 1) a cover letter, 2) a current curriculum vitae, 3) a research statement describing current work and future research goals (three page limit), 4) a teaching statement describing teaching experience, interests, and philosophy (two page limit), and 5) complete contact information for at least four references to Missouri S&T's Human Resources Office at Careers using Reference Number 00098276. Acceptable electronic formats are PDF and MS Word.
Application Deadline
Review of applications will begin as they are received and will continue until the positions are filled. For full consideration, please apply before October 15th, 2026. For more information prior to applying, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Henry Pernicka, at pernicka@mst.edu .
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship may be available for candidates currently in the United States in H-1B status or other work-authorized status.
Community Information
University Information
Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading research universities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers.
COLLEGE of ENGINEERING & COMPUTING (CEC)
Missouri S&T's College of Engineering and Computing is the largest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately 80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800 graduate students). The college includes more than 170 ranked faculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all with master's and doctoral equivalents organized into nine academic departments. The college recently added a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering, both starting in fall 2024. Missouri S&T, supported by the College of Engineering and Computing, is nationally recognized for its career outcomes and ROI.
About Rolla
Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that help individuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal place for families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable for all ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapes offers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of every lifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout the year. The university's Leach Theatre showcases nationally renowned performers for campus and community alike. Overall, living in Rolla offers a high quality of life with a supportive community, affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734.