Location: El Paso, TX
Category: Engineering
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Wed Dec 3 2025
Job Description:
The Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering (MMBME) at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Instruction with an appointment as the Mining Engineering Undergraduate Program Director. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
MINING ENGINEERING PROGRAM RESTART
With the growth and increasing national importance of the mining economy, the University of Texas System Board of Regents has committed $20 million to restart the Mining Engineering program at UTEP. The Texas State Legislature committed another $20 million to fund the infrastructure needed to teach Mining Engineering. The program builds on UTEP's rich mining legacy and regional heritage. Founded in 1914 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, the university joined the UT System in 1919 as the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy and continued to award the Mining Engineering Degree until 1966.
Texas now has the largest non-fuel mineral production economy in the United States (USGS Mineral Commodity Summary 2024), and UTEP will offer the only Mining Engineering undergraduate program in Texas. The relaunch of the Mining Engineering program comes with dedicated support from industry partners committed to establishing a world-class modern mining engineering program.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Candidates for Assistant Professor of Instruction who will also serve as the Undergraduate Program Director in the planned Mining Engineering program can be from all areas of mining engineering, including but not limited to: Mine Planning & Design, Geomechanics, Mineral Processing, Rock Fragmentation & Blasting, Mining Ventilation, Mine Automation, Health & Safety, or closely related fields. This is a unique opportunity for a dedicated educator and academic leader to help rebuild, shape, and champion a modern mining engineering program. The successful candidate will play a central role in curriculum development, program launch, student success, industry engagement, and community outreach.
Pre-Launch Responsibilities (Before Program Start in Fall 2027): Prior to welcoming the first cohort of students, the successful candidate will contribute to the foundational work necessary to reestablish a forward-looking mining engineering program. This includes coordinating a comprehensive curricular redesign such as developing new course proposals, updating syllabi, integrating modern technologies, and aligning the curriculum with industry needs and ABET expectations. The candidate will provide administrative leadership as Undergraduate Program Director by planning course schedules, contributing to academic policies, preparing catalog updates and submissions, and coordinating extensively with the College of Engineering. Additional responsibilities include supporting strategic recruitment efforts, developing promotional materials, engaging community colleges, and representing the program at regional and national events as needed. This faculty member will also organize major outreach initiatives such as K-12 partnerships, high-school and teacher summer camps, STEM events, Mine Day activities, and new-student orientation programs. Collaboration with the Industry Advisory Board will be essential to ensure that industry needs and trends inform program development. The role also involves contributing to laboratory planning and modernization by identifying equipment needs, developing lab syllabi, and supporting future facility upgrades to be aligned with the planned curriculum.
Post-Launch Responsibilities (After First Cohort Admission in Fall 2027): Once the undergraduate program launches, the role will transition into a combined instructional and program leadership position. The undergraduate program director will teach undergraduate mining engineering courses using student-centered, experiential, and innovative instructional approaches and will mentor Senior Design (Capstone) projects to ensure meaningful industry-engaged project experiences. The candidate will support and coordinate ABET assessment and evaluation activities, including outcomes assessment, continuous improvement processes, and accreditation reports preparation. They will oversee the student career mentoring program by building employer connections, coordinating internships, and guiding students toward strong career placements. Additional responsibilities include advising student clubs such as SME and Women in Mining, fostering leadership and professional development, and maintaining active outreach and community engagement to strengthen K-12 and regional pipelines. The faculty member will also cultivate strong industry partnerships through guest lectures, mine tours, webinars, scholarship initiatives, and professional networking events.
Job Requirements:
The ideal candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering or related fields and demonstrate excellence or strong potential in engineering education, proven leadership and organizational skills, and a deep commitment to student success. The candidate should be collaborative, able to work effectively with faculty, industry partners, and diverse student populations, and passionate about building and advancing academic programs through curriculum innovation and community engagement. An understanding of contemporary issues in mining, such as sustainability, digital technologies, automation, safety, and workforce trends, is a plus.
Additional Information:
In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at [email protected], or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.
For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at [email protected].
To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.
