Job Description

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU) seeks applicants for a Professor of Practice to accelerate education, innovation, and workforce development for the new nuclear era and preparation of the nation's engineering workforce with foundational nuclear literacy and to advance applied research in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), digital twins, and energy systems integration, including the emerging nexus of nuclear power and data center infrastructure. This is a non-tenure track appointment with a fixed-term academic year contract and is expected to begin in August 16, 2027.

The Professor of Practice will provide both strategic leadership and hands-on execution in growing ASU's nuclear energy education efforts. This individual will serve as course instructor and course portfolio director for flagship nuclear literacy offerings designed to introduce nuclear energy concepts to engineering students across all disciplines and will lead development of related micro-credential coursework. Beyond the classroom, this individual will cultivate federal agency relationships, recruit industry and utility partners, and advance ASU's SMR/data center integration research agenda.

This role is designed for an experienced practitioner who remains active in the field, an individual with the credibility to engage programs at the Department of Energy (DOE), national laboratories, and with hyperscale technology companies, and the energy and disposition to subsequently engage those conversations rather than delegate.

Essential Functions:

• Teach within the academic programs in addition to instruction of micro-credential courses with an emphasis on interdisciplinary, practitioner-informed instruction.
• Lead external engagement, including with federal agency relations, national laboratory partnerships (particularly Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory), and corporate partnerships with utilities, SMR developers, and data center operators.
• Develop and lead joint research proposals with ASU faculty and external partners.
• Collaborate with ASU faculty across engineering disciplines to advance curriculum development and research cluster formation in nuclear energy and adjacent fields.
• Represent ASU's nuclear energy program at national conferences, federal briefings, and industry forums.
• Contribute to other internal services within the Fulton Schools of Engineering through committee participation, student engagement, and industry outreach.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Earned a Master's or Doctoral degree in nuclear engineering, energy systems, or a closely related discipline, plus ten (10) years of demonstrated experience in nuclear energy, advanced reactor development, federal energy policy, or national laboratory leadership, by the time of appointment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience operating at the intersection of nuclear energy and one or more of the following: federal policy, workforce development, SMR commercialization, data center or digital infrastructure energy systems, or national program leadership.
• Evidence of coalition-building, program development, or multi-institutional collaboration at a national scale.
• Effectiveness in the classroom with interdisciplinary, non-specialist audiences, particularly undergraduate and graduate engineering students outside of nuclear engineering.
• Established relationships with DOE, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, national laboratories, or major industry partners in the nuclear or advanced energy sector.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute, rather than merely oversee or advise.

Application Instructions

The application deadline is October 21, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. To apply, visit https://hiring.engineering.asu.edu/ and select “apply now” next to the corresponding position. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following:

• Cover letter describing the candidate's practitioner background and vision for nuclear workforce development at national scale.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Statement describing teaching philosophy and approach to introducing nuclear energy concepts to broad engineering audiences (two pages maximum).
• Contact information for three references.

The ASU Charter states, "ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves." The Fulton Schools of Engineering are dedicated to cultivating excellence, delivering innovation that matters, encouraging bold thinking, fostering a community of learning and collaboration, and building a foundation for all to be successful. Applicants are encouraged to address how their past, current, and future activities align with the ASU Charter and Fulton Schools of Engineering values in their application materials.

For additional information regarding position specifics, please contact Professor Keith Holbert at keith.holbert@asu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.