Visiting Assistant Professor of Engineering

Earlham College is a Top 100 National Liberal Arts College located in Richmond, IN, a small city that's just a short drive away from several major metropolitan areas including Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Richmond and Earlham have a symbiotic relationship. Through research, studies, internships and volunteering, Earlhamites offer Richmond expertise and service as Richmond offers our students the chance to gain valuable, real-world experience. Our community assumes no religious affiliation but follows Quaker principles and practices, which include respect for persons, integrity, a commitment to peace and justice, simplicity, and consensus-based community decision-making. Earlham is committed to and proud of being a diverse and inclusive place most clearly visible in our student body: 20% of our student body are international, coming from 60+ nations in 2022, and 24% are domestic students of color. Faculty and staff also bring tremendous diversity to the College; many have lived and worked outside the United States, and they make a point of drawing on those experiences in their interactions with students. Additionally, Earlham makes it a priority to serve as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ communities and has a four-star rating on the Campus Pride Index. Our community is characterized by respect for every person and a commitment to social justice. Equity and inclusion are central to Earlham's institutional priorities and our leadership is committed to widening the path to an Earlham education.

Earlham College is seeking a Visiting Assistant Professor of Engineering to join our team!

Position Details:

Earlham College invites applications for a full-time, three-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Engineering beginning in Fall 2025. Earlham is developing a General Engineering program with both accredited and non-accredited degrees. This search invites applicants from Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Education, or a related Engineering background.

Program Details:

We are building a program (Engineering for Good) that is, from day one, distinctive in its deep integration across our campus and community, both complementing and being strengthened by Earlham’s experience in the liberal arts, as well as its mission grounded in Quaker principles. This is the second in a series of hires we are making as we build up the program (our first professor of Engineering hire being made last fall). The successful applicant will have strong Engineering credentials and a commitment to modern pedagogy. They will work closely with Earlham’s students, faculty, staff and community to help develop a curriculum that trains engineers committed to social good. The Board, faculty and community are very excited and support this new initiative in the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy.

Things you will do

• Teach 3 General Engineering courses per semester. In practice this load will usually be two lectures and two lab sections per semester, although the particulars of any individual’s load depend on the needs and assets of the department during a given term.
• Help develop Earlham’s new Engineering program. The successful applicant will begin work as the second year of Engineering students arrives on campus. While many decisions about the new program have already been made, as many are yet to be finalized. It is an exciting opportunity for an individual with passion for program design.
• Support our diverse faculty, staff and student body. Earlham is committed to working toward being a just and equitable campus. Teachers are expected to support all voices and build empowering classrooms, especially for marginalized groups.

Things you can choose to do

• Perform original research with Earlham’s undergraduates either during or between semesters. The College has a range of research facilities and opportunities for internal and external funding support.
• Grow as a teacher. Earlham is committed to the classroom experience, and thus provides ample opportunities to improve your pedagogy. These chances come both internally, through formal mentorship, and externally, through funded workshops and conferences.
• Develop further professionally. Among other areas, a position at Earlham offers the chance to: be an informal undergraduate advisor; participate in Earlham’s community governance process, learn to write grants etc. The position also includes access to scholarly travel funding for conferences.
• Participate in on- and off-campus activities. Earlham professors regularly attend sports and music events, lead off-campus trips, and otherwise support each other and the student body outside the classroom.

What's required:

• A PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Education, or a related field by Fall 2025

• A demonstrated passion for and experience of teaching excellence

• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice

• The ability to be a positive example and resource to all Earlham students

What's preferred:

• An interest in conducting research with undergraduate students

• The ability to contribute to a broad range of engineering courses

• A passion for program design, with attention to the societal impacts of Engineering

• Experience with accreditation processes

To Apply:

• Please submit the following application materials through our Earlham Careers Portal:

• Curriculum vitae

• Unofficial transcripts.

• Cover letter - Address your interest in the opening explaining your relevant work history as it pertains to this position.

• A statement of DEI – Submit your thoughts and experience with matters of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as it relates and specifically pertains to this position, in a 300 – 1000 word statement.  (Examples of helpful topics include: your understanding of DEI principles, past experiences with DEI, and/or future plans to contribute to DEI at Earlham.)

• A statement of your teaching philosophy.

• A statement addressing your research history and interests.

• Three names, email addresses and phone numbers of people to serve as references

Questions can be directed to Michael Lerner | lernemi@earlham.edu | 765-973-1784

All applications received by September 1st, 2024 will receive full consideration, though the committee may choose to review more applications until the position is filled.

Earlham’s faculty, administration and board have all committed to starting a strong, independent, and (eventually) accredited Engineering program. With that in mind, this position will come with full benefits and a starting salary competitive with peer institutions. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*

• Company paid Long-Term Disability after 1 year of full-time service*

• Basic and Voluntary Life insurance*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Campus Store Discount

• Free ticket vouchers for Richmond Symphony Orchestra

• Wellness Center Free Membership or Discount for eligible employees

• Athletic Games-Free entry to all home games

• Free entry into most Theatre/Music shows

• Tuition Benefits for Immediate Family for eligible employees*

• 403(b) Retirement* – For eligible employees, Earlham will contribute a non-elective contribution equal to 5% of gross pay after 2 years of service. After 3 years of service, this non-elective contribution increases to 8%. Vesting credit is available for new employees with previous service in the education sector with required documentation.

• Many Wayne County Chamber of Commerce member businesses offer discounts to anyone with an Earlham ID

*All employee benefit offerings are subject to employee eligibility per plan documents.

Earlham College is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse community, one that reflects the makeup of society at large and that particularly welcomes and supports individuals from groups that have been historically marginalized because of factors such as race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, and physical ability. The College strongly encourages applications from women and people of color. As an institution with a Quaker identity, the College also solicits applications from members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Earlham's Work Authorization Policy

Earlham utilizes E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees within the United States.