Description
Advertised Job Summary
The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) at the University of South Carolina (USC) in Columbia is seeking qualified applicants for multiple Tenured and Tenure-Track faculty positions (Open-Rank) to support its new Industrial Engineering (IE) program. USC and MCEC pursue a bold vision of supporting the state’s growing manufacturing and technology industry through the addition of the new IE program while experiencing sustained growth in student numbers and research output. We aim to hire innovative and bold thought leaders focused on student success, outstanding research, and the motivation and drive to support the US and SC’s economy and industrial base. The open-rank positions will have a tenure home in the Mechanical Engineering department.
Applicants for the Assistant Professor rank must possess a PhD degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing engineering or closely related field by the start date of employment, a demonstrated record of research accomplishments, and an outstanding capacity for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Applicants for the ranks of Associate Professor and Full Professor must in addition have years of relevant academic experience commensurate with academic policy, plus a strong, sustained record of excellence in teaching, research, and service including competitive funding and interdisciplinary collaborations. Candidates with a strong vision for the future of Industrial Engineering education are highly encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates will be expected to develop internationally recognized, externally funded research programs in cutting edge areas of industrial and manufacturing engineering. In particular, candidates with a strong track record of research and teaching in one or more of the following five areas are encouraged to apply:
- Robotics and Digital Twins in Smart Manufacturing Systems: Candidates with a track record of state-of-the-art research in industrial robotics, co-bots, and/or digital twins as well as artificial Intelligence driven automation. Candidates are expected to contribute to SC’s strong and growing manufacturing industry through applied and collaborative research.
- Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing and Materials in Advanced Manufacturing: Candidates with expertise in state-of-the-art additive and/or subtractive manufacturing processes and systems, as well as materials’ innovation enabled by new manufacturing processes.
- Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity in Smart Manufacturing Systems and Digital Supply Networks: Candidates with expertise and interest in digital manufacturing and cybersecurity. Especially candidates with experience in implementing and securing advanced digital technologies in modern manufacturing and supply network environments in collaboration with industry.
- Systems Engineering: Candidates with expertise systems engineering, modeling, and optimization, data-driven applications in systems engineering incl. agentic AI. Experience in SC’s key industries automotive, aerospace, or defense is a plus.
- Operations Research & Simulation: Candidates with expertise in process optimization, simulation, operations research, and/or data science ideally applied to smart manufacturing systems, large scale construction, and digital supply networks.
The successful candidates must have the ability to (1) teach and develop Industrial Engineering curriculum (including lecture, laboratory, or design courses) at the undergraduate and graduate levels, (2) develop and sustain an independent, nationally recognized research program, (3) collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams of faculty and other researchers across colleges and institutions, and (4) be engaged in professional activities.
USC is a Flagship, R1 research university experiencing sustained growth in number of students and research. The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing has seven academic departments with over 40 academic programs, more than 3,600 undergraduate students, and received over $73m of competitive federal sponsored research awards in 2025. MCEC received a transformational gift naming the college in 2024 and is on a bold trajectory to continue its rapid rise in elevating student excellence, scholarly impact, and drive economic impact in South Carolina and across the US.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Interested applicants should apply online at https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/197224 with: (1) a cover letter indicating the main area of research and clearly stating the position (#1-5 above) and desired rank, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a concise description of research plans, (4) a statement of teaching philosophy, and (5) names & contact information of at least three references.
Questions about the departmental search may be directed to:
Professor Thor Wuest
twuest@sc.edu, Phone: +1-310-869-4897
