SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Maguire Energy Institute, Cox School of Business
Non-Tenure Track Position in Energy (Position Number: 005776)
SMU invites applications for a non-tenure track full-time Professor of Practice position (005776) in the Maguire Energy Institute of SMU’s Cox School of Business, primarily supporting the new B.S. in Energy Science, Innovation, and Enterprise program. This is a contractual, non-tenure-track position, typically appointed for one to five years, drawing from professionals with a focus on teaching and industry engagement. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Professor of Practice will serve as a cornerstone of a new, interdisciplinary honors degree program in Energy Science, Innovation, and Enterprise, reporting to the program’s Eminent Endowed Chair, with additional supervision by the Maguire Energy Institute. The successful candidate will lead project-based and experiential learning, organize on- and off- campus engagements connecting students with industry and government partners, bring applied case studies into the classroom, and serve as a liaison to local, state, and national opportunities for student internships and industry-sponsored projects. The role involves direct supervision of students during summer immersion experiences, in which students engage in real-world problem solving with cross-disciplinary teams and industry partners. In addition to teaching and experiential learning responsibilities, the Professor of Practice will help build and sustain partnerships with the Dallas–Fort Worth energy ecosystem and beyond, and will contribute to the program’s mission of preparing the next generation of energy leaders across roles in energy finance, business, energy capture, systems engineering, policy and regulation, and technology commercialization. The position will begin in Fall 2027.
The Cox School is a nationally ranked business school located in Dallas, Texas, a premier business center in the U.S. The School offers a collegial working environment, attractive compensation and benefits, generous faculty support and outstanding facilities. Cox has just completed a $140 MM expansion and renovation project to create the David B Miller Quad (DBMQ), the new home of most of the faculty and staff, as well as many of the School’s programs. The Maguire Energy Institute serves as the hub for teaching and research in energy economics and finance, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and policy communities through symposia, joint research initiatives, and partnerships across the Cox School of Business, the Lyle School of Engineering, and Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. The Energy Science, Innovation, and Enterprise Program is an innovative, interdisciplinary honors degree program operated through the Office of the Provost, designed to produce graduates ready to lead across the full spectrum of energy—from oil and gas and renewable energy to energy finance, policy, infrastructure, and technology commercialization. The program brings together SMU’s Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, and Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, providing students with both theoretical foundations and deep applied experience in partnership with the Dallas–Fort Worth energy community and beyond.
SMU is a private university dedicated to academic excellence. Located in Dallas, SMU maintains a moderate size of about 12,000 students. SMU is designated as a preferred employer offering in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, one of the most prolific high-tech industrial and business centers in the country. The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is a multi-faceted business community, offering exceptional museums, diverse cultural attractions and one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant economies in the USA. Dallas’ quality of life is exceptional with a relatively low cost of living, upscale apartments and homes within walking distance of campus, the opportunity to live in the city or out in the country with a relatively short commute, and the availability of mass transit systems.
Minimum qualifications Graduate degree in Energy, Finance, Economics or a related field; three years of teaching experience at the university level; demonstrated experience in the energy industry.
Preferred qualifications Advanced degree (Ph.D. or professional equivalent) in Energy, Finance, Economics, or a related field; five or more years of experience in the energy industry; a proven record of innovative, experiential teaching at the university level; demonstrated success in building industry partnerships and facilitating applied, project-based learning; and a professional network in the energy sector, particularly in oil and gas, renewable energy, energy finance, or energy policy.
Application Applicants should provide a cover letter that describes relevant teaching and industry experience in energy, curriculum vitae, three letters of reference, and evidence of teaching effectiveness. Priority will be given to applications received by October 1, 2026, although the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. The recruiting committee, along with other interested parties, will conduct initial interviews through Zoom.
Hiring is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check.
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
