Assistant Professor - AI and Robotics

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University (SDSU) seeks an outstanding individual for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering. We are looking for a creative and innovative professional to join us in January 2024. This is a 9-month, 100% time, benefit-eligible position. This position is supervised by the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.South Dakota State University (SDSU), located in Brookings, SD, promotes access to and provides opportunities for all to participate in education, research, and service. SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to its land-grant mission of access.RESPONSIBILITIES:Teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses.Conducting research in engineering and developing externally funded research programs.Recruiting and mentoring graduate students, preferably at the PhD level.Establishing a strong collaboration with departmental faculty and performing multidisciplinary research.Publishing the results of research in peer refereed archival journals. Preferred candidates should show an ability to protect and publish the innovative products through patents, trademark, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property.Serving as an active member of the technical community and participate in relevant professional and technical society activities.Providing leadership and service to the Department, College, and University.Pursuing scholarly, technology, and professional activities that will keep him/her at the leading edge of his/her field.Other duties assigned by the Department Head.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:The candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field completed by the first day of employment and have potential to contribute to high-quality research, evidence of teaching potential and effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. The candidate must have capabilities and background in artificial intelligence and/or machine learning based applications to autonomous systems, robotics, control, navigators, and guidance.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Preference will be given to candidates who can contribute to SDSU’s precision agriculture research program.BENEFITS:South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.APPLICATION PROCESS:South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy (attached as other) with a page limit of 3, a statement of research interests (attached as work sample) with a page limit of 4 including referred bibliography, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.