Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
February 12, 2026
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.
Available Title(s):
270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor, 280-NN_FACULTY - Associate Professor, 395-NN_FACULTY - New Tenure-Track - Pre-Academic Year
Business Title:
Assistant or Associate Professor, Tenure-Track | Nuclear Energy (INEF)
Employee Type:
Faculty
9 Month
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Washington State University Tri-Cities (WSU Tri-Cities) is now accepting applications for a tenure-track Nuclear Engineering faculty at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank to join the newly established Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF). INEF is an interdisciplinary institute dedicated to recruiting talented new faculty, leveraging existing expertise across the WSU system, and collaborating with research partners, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), to address the increasing demands for reliable advanced energy solutions in the Pacific Northwest region and beyond. This faculty position is based at WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland, WA.
We are seeking candidates with expertise including the design, deployment, and optimization of nuclear energy with emphasis in areas of nuclear engineering and nuclear reactor design, analysis and operations and their roles in establishing future reliable and resilient energy solutions. Faculty appointed to this position will hold a tenure-track appointment in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), with teaching and service responsibilities shared between INEF and SEAS. This tenure-track position will interact with the faculty across the WSU System in the nuclear engineering area, as well as with our WSU Pullman Nuclear Science Center that houses a 1 MW TRIGA reactor.
Given the close collaboration between INEF and PNNL, it is expected that successful candidates will have the ability to apply for security clearance from the U.S. Department of Energy and/or PNNL (as described in CFR Title 32.A.I.D.147), as this may be necessary to access restricted areas and resources.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and maintain an innovative, competitive, and nationally recognized research program in relevant areas.
Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in area of expertise and similarly relevant courses, including nuclear engineering and science related courses
Contribute to advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
Participate in service to the INEF, department, college and/or university through committee work, recruitment (including that of highly qualified students), and interaction with industry.
Collaborate closely with other appropriate faculty throughout the campus and University system.
Establish and sustain significant external research funding in support of the research program.
Participate in courses, laboratory, and curriculum development in relevant areas.
SALARY
Assistant Professor rank: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per 9-month academic year
Associate Professor rank: $100,000.00 - $150,000.00 per 9-month academic year
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for these positions. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
It is anticipated that the successful candidate will begin the appointment on May 16 or August 16, 2026, depending on the availability of candidate and needs of the program.
Benefits:
WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: Benefits Overview for Faculty & AP staff. Find total compensation information here: Total Compensation for Faculty less than 12-month appointment.
Assistant Professor Required Qualifications:
Associate Professor Required Qualifications:
Required Qualifications for All Ranks:
Potential for conducting collaborative and cutting-edge research and securing external funding.
Ability to develop and teach nuclear engineering and science undergraduate and graduate courses.
Commitment to teaching excellence and student success for undergraduate and graduate students.
Ability to communicate effectively with both students and colleagues in written and verbal forms.
Preferred Qualifications for All Ranks:
Demonstrated research experience and a proven track record in the focus area the candidate is applying for.
Experience with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Experience in teaching and developing nuclear engineering related curricula.
Minimum of one year of post-doctoral experience in a related field.
Ability to initiate novel teaching approaches, advancing the pedagogy of the field.
Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary groups in research and outreach.
Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship.
ABOUT INEF
The Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) is a newly established center headquartered at the WSU Tri-Cities campus, but operating at a system-wide by engaging multiple WSU campuses, industry partners, and communities to advance research, education, and outreach in advanced energy solutions. The institute bridges the gap between science and policy by taking an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to researching and analyzing advanced energy technologies for policymakers and industry leaders, while also effectively communicating these plans to communities. The institute is actively developing strategic industry partnerships for energy systems research and fostering community discussions on policy development at the state and national levels. Additionally, INEF is creating curricula to prepare the future workforce for careers across many energy sectors. The new faculty hired is part of a cluster cohort and will play a leading role in executing these critical activities and advancing the institute’s mission.
ABOUT WSU Tri-Cities
Washington State University Tri-Cities represents an ideal geographical nexus for creating a reimagined energy system. Rich in energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear, the Mid-Columbia region is also home to the considerable scientific expertise of WSU and PNNL and their jointly operated Bioproducts Institute. WSU and PNNL have similar collaborations in nuclear sciences and bioproducts, including the long-running Bioproducts Sciences and Engineering Laboratory on the WSU Tri-Cities campus. These assets collectively provide a unique opportunity for partnerships on research and development and scalability testing with systems integration, all while having access to a ready workforce. WSU Tri-Cities is committed to creating a student-ready campus, marked by academic excellence, career-connected learning, and social belonging. This commitment is informed by our belief that all students, faculty, and staff contribute value to our campus culture.
APPLICATION Instructions:
Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter
3) Teaching & Research Statement: Up to four pages, describing how your education and experience align with the qualifications for the position, as well as your vision for teaching and research.
External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application. Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.
Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.
For questions about this position, please contact tricities.inef@wsu.edu.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.
Full time
Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.
WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.
Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.
More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/
