Associate Professor of Practice in Systems and Engineering Management

Position Description

The Department of Industrial, Manufacturing & Systems Engineering (IMSE) in the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering (WCOE)at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, Associate Professor of Practice to begin September 1, 2027. 

This position is assigned to the online teaching of 8-week courses that are offered as part of five 8-week terms, scheduled throughout the year (two in the fall, two in the spring, and one in the summer) to provide better flexibility to non-traditional students that represent a significant part of the online student population at Texas Tech University. All courses in these 8-week terms are offered asynchronously.  
 
While appointed to this position, you will accrue vacation and will report leave monthly following TTU’s Operating Policy 70.01 and TTU System Regulation 07.12. Since you will accrue vacation, you will follow a staff holiday schedule, which is available here: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/empbenefits/holidayschedule.php.

All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

Contributes to the university's mission through teaching in an area of expertise, mentoring students in professional and career preparation and serving as liaison with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program. This is a non-tenure track, multi-year renewable appointment contingent on successful annual and cumulative performance appraisals as well as a majority affirmative vote of the academic unit. Summer appointments possible, but not guaranteed, contingent on demand for courses and availability of funding.
 

About the University

Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.

About the College

Texas Tech University Online extends the university’s commitment to high-quality education to learners worldwide. Through a wide range of fully online degree programs and courses, Texas Tech Online offers flexible, accessible learning that maintains academic rigor. Online instructors are part of a collaborative community with access to instructional design support, training, and digital tools to enhance student engagement. Faculty teaching online at Texas Tech are valued members of the university and contribute to its mission of teaching, research, and service, regardless of their location.

About the Department/School/Area

The Industrial, Manufacturing & Systems Engineering (IMSE) department has a dynamic faculty who are actively funded by NSF, NIST, NSC, NASEM/GRP and other federal agencies. Faculty members have won prestigious prizes, including the INFORMS Optimization Society Young Researchers Prize and INFORMS Computing Society Harvey J. Greenberg Research Award. There is a vibrant and energetic research atmosphere both within the IMSE department and across departments in the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering (WCOE), University, and the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. The IMSE department actively supports the WCOE research thrust areas of Energy, Water, Engineers in Medicine, Infrastructure, Nanotechnology and Big Data/Data Visualization and the CASFER NSF Engineering Research Center. The IMSE department has numerous laboratory facilities (manufacturing, bioprinting and biofabrication, tissue assembly and nanofabrication, complex systems modeling, control, and optimization, and ergonomics), and is home to a multidisciplinary safety center (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/cehrop/). Additional information about the department is available at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/imse/.

Major/Essential Functions

At Texas Tech University, the Professor of Practice title is used to recruit individuals with exceptional backgrounds and achievements in academic, business, government, or other professional practice. Primary responsibilities normally will be to teach in an area of expertise, mentor students in professional and career preparation, and liaise with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program. 

In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with a breadth of student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.  

As a faculty member in the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing & Systems Engineering (IMSE), you will be expected to:

• Lead the development, coordination, and ongoing administration of the online Doctor of Engineering in Systems and Engineering Management program.
• Support and supervise online students in the Doctor of Engineering program.
• Convert existing systems and engineering management courses into an 8-week online format which will be delivered asynchronously.
• Develop a year-round online course schedule that supports student progression through at least five courses annually, including two 8-week courses in the fall, two 8-week courses in the spring, and one 8-week course in the summer.
• Hire, coordinate, and supervise part-time and full-time lecturers who teach online courses.
• Ensure instructional quality and consistency across online offerings.
• Support the future expansion of online instruction beyond the Doctor of Engineering program to include additional online graduate offerings, including online master's courses.
• Contribute to the department's long-term staffing and online growth strategy in support of Texas Tech University's strategic plan.

Faculty Qualifications

1. A PhD or DEng in systems engineering, engineering management, or a similar field is required by the position start date. Applicants who are ABD at the time of application will be considered;
2. Industry experience in systems engineering, engineering management, or a related field.

This position is designated as involving access to critical infrastructure systems and/or research, as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-48. As such, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check prior to employment. Employees are required to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations related to the protection of critical infrastructure. Ongoing employment is dependent upon maintaining eligibility for access and successfully passing periodic security and compliance reviews.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience teaching online courses effectively;
2. Experience with curriculum development, course redesign, or online program administration;
3. Experience in teaching courses related to systems theory, decision theory, technology management, and systems management;
4. Experience in working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and departmental leadership to build and sustain high-quality online programs

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include the following documents in your application: 

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. Teaching Statement
4. List of references

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Cross, Search Committee Chair at jennifer.cross@ttu.edu. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at hrs.recruiting@ttu.edu or 806-742-3851.

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.