Assistant/Associate Professor of Pratice

Job Description

The Foundry Director provides academic, operational, and strategic leadership for the Kroehling Advanced Materials Foundry. This role is responsible for delivering high-quality instruction in metallurgy and metal casting; overseeing the safe, efficient, and compliant day-to-day operations of the foundry; and advancing student engagement in metal casting–related research, professional development, and industry partnerships.

The Director teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, develops new curriculum as appropriate, and mentors student research and senior design projects. In addition, the position manages foundry resources, equipment maintenance, environmental health and safety compliance, and emergency preparedness.

Serving as the Virginia Tech Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) Key Professor, the Director oversees FEF programming, scholarship and discretionary funding, and leads the Foundry Industrial Advisory Board. The role also serves as a liaison to professional societies and industry partners, promotes student participation in conferences and competitions, and supports outreach and recruitment initiatives that enhance the visibility and impact of the foundry.

The Foundry Director plays a critical role in fostering a culture of safety, academic excellence, industry collaboration, and student success within the metallurgy and metal casting community.

Required Qualifications

Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution (Ph.D. preferred).

Extensive post-degree industrial foundry experience.

Documented experience operating at least two (2) of the following melting systems: induction, resistance, arc, or cupola furnaces.

Demonstrated experience producing a minimum of three (3) of the following alloy systems: aluminum, copper, zinc, gray iron, ductile iron, pewter, or steel.

Work history of hands-on experience with bonded sand, investment shell, and/or 3D-printed sand molding processes.

Evidence of effective teaching performance in higher education or formal industrial training (e.g., course instruction, training leadership, or documented teaching evaluations).

Completion of Level 1 Magmasoft training prior to hire or within one (1) year of appointment (required to maintain institutional software agreement).

At least one (1) year of experience using computational materials modeling software (e.g., ThermoCalc or comparable platforms).

Ability to obtain and maintain all required Virginia Tech Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) certifications within six (6) months of hire.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Hours per week

40

Review Date

03/11/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.