Open Rank Faculty Position

Vanderbilt University: School of Engineering: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Location

Vanderbilt University 400 24th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232

Open Date

Oct 02, 2025

Description
Energy/ Power
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University invites applications for an open-rank faculty position to advance our strengths in power systems and energy management. We seek a scholar whose work spans smart grids; power electronics leveraging advanced materials and novel architectures; renewable integration; energy storage; transportation electrification; and energy‑aware computing. Priority will be given to candidates who apply AI, sensing, and control to build intelligent, adaptive, and resilient power devices and/or energy systems, integrating IC‑ to system‑level design with data-driven decision-making for performance, reliability, and security at scale. This search is part of the School of Engineering's commitment to establishing an interdisciplinary Energy Cluster aimed at addressing grand societal and scientific challenges.

This hire will position Vanderbilt at the forefront of national initiatives in energy, mobility, and AI integration, aligning with priorities at DOE, DoD, DARPA, and NNSA, and enabling deeper partnerships with ORNL, TVA, and TDEC focused on materials, devices, and systems for efficient generation, transmission, and grid resilience. As U.S. data center electricity demand is projected to triple by 2030—potentially reaching up to 560 TWh, or roughly 13% of national use—the imperative for AI‑integrated, scalable, and robust energy systems is accelerating. The position addresses a vital gap in large-scale electric grid systems within the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate (VSEC); catalyzes collaboration across the School of Engineering and the College of Connected Computing; and complements Vanderbilt's expertise in micro/nano‑electronics and software‑enabled systems. In alignment with the VUSE strategic plan and discovery centers in Sustainability, Energy and Climate; National Security; and Immersive AI translation, the successful candidate will help build nationally recognized programs, pursue ambitious multi-institutional partnerships, and create new graduate education pathways in electrification and intelligent infrastructure.

About Vanderbilt University And Nashville
Vanderbilt University is a top-ranked private research institution located in the vibrant, fast-growing city of Nashville, offering faculty an exceptional environment for scholarship, teaching, and engagement. Our culture emphasizes radical collaboration across disciplines—spanning engineering, computing, medicine, the social sciences, and the humanities—with world-class facilities, trans-institutional centers, and strong partnerships with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We are committed to access and advancement for all, cultivating a diverse and inclusive community where faculty, staff, and students can thrive and amplify their impact locally and globally. Vanderbilt's robust research ecosystem, supportive mentoring and career development, and a student body drawn from across the nation and the world make it a premier destination for faculty seeking to build high-impact programs and train the next generation of leaders and change-makers. The University enrolls over 13,500 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across 11 schools on a single, collaborative campus. Consistently ranked among the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Vanderbilt's educational offerings pair rigorous, research-driven learning with extensive experiential opportunities, mentoring, and cross-disciplinary collaboration that prepare students to lead in academia, industry, and society.

Nashville is a dynamic, fast-growing city with a diverse economy anchored by health care, music, advanced manufacturing, finance, and a rapidly expanding technology sector. In recent years, major global tech companies and leading startups have opened significant offices here, accelerating an innovation ecosystem that spans AI, defense, and data-driven industries. Vanderbilt serves as a key catalyst in this environment—linking research strengths, entrepreneurial resources, and public–private partnerships to drive translational impact across the region. Through campus-wide initiatives and discovery centers that connect engineering, medicine, computing, and the humanities, Vanderbilt helps power Nashville's momentum, fostering collaboration with the city and industry to advance new technologies, talent development, and community-focused solutions.

Qualifications
Candidates must have a PhD in Electrical Engineering or related disciplines. The candidate must have a proven track record of successful research and teaching in their field. The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Establish a nationally recognized research program supported by extramural funding.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in electrical and computer engineering with focus on power systems/ energy management. Vanderbilt emphasizes excellence in teaching and mentoring next generation engineers and a successful candidate is expected to either become a highly effective educator (for tenure-track applicants) or with a proven track-record of teaching and mentoring excellence (for tenured applicants).
• Contribute to departmental, school-wide, and university-wide initiatives, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.

Application Instructions

Applications Should Include The Following Materials

• Cover letter
• Complete curriculum vitae
• Statement of research interests, highlighting potential collaborative opportunities within and beyond the Energy Cluster
• Statement of teaching philosophy, including innovative approaches to teaching and curriculum development
• Service statement
• Contact information for at least three reference

Review will begin upon receipt, and applications received by January 31, 2026, will receive full consideration.