James Schmiedeler, a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and associate dean for faculty advancement and inclusion in the College of Engineering, has been named vice president and associate provost for faculty recruitment support at the University of Notre Dame. His appointment begins January 1, 2027.
Schmiedeler will lead the Office of the Provost’s efforts to assist colleges, schools, and departments with hiring for Notre Dame’s Catholic mission—including working with units to create proactive hiring strategies, offering deans and search committees guidance on best practices, and identifying potential candidates. His work will support Notre Dame’s continued commitment to an academic environment nurtured by a predominant number of Catholic intellectuals as well as scholars of various backgrounds and perspectives who contribute to the University’s Catholic mission.
He will also partner with the Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs to support its work in nurturing engagement with and understanding of the University’s Catholic mission among faculty of all faiths and none and help integrate mission hiring goals with the University’s commitment to building a beloved community.
“Jim is one of our most accomplished scholar-teachers and a gifted administrator with a deep commitment to Notre Dame’s Catholic mission,” said John T. McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost. “I can’t think of a better person to take on this vital role in advancing Notre Dame as the leading global Catholic research university by helping us recruit excellent faculty.”
An internationally recognized expert on robotics, Schmiedeler will also remain an active researcher following his appointment, dividing his time between the Office of the Provost, the classroom, and his research laboratory. His research focuses on legged locomotion and the intersection of robotics and human biomechanics. His active projects span lower-limb prostheses, exoskeletons to assist human walking, and quantifying human balance deficits. In his associate dean role, he works closely with all departments in the college to share and implement best practices around faculty advancement and inclusion.
Schmiedeler earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Notre Dame, and his master’s and doctorate in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University. He taught at the University of Iowa and Ohio State before joining the Notre Dame faculty in 2003. He has received the National Science Foundation’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
“I am grateful for the privilege to work with colleagues across campus in elevating our faculty recruitment efforts,” Schmiedeler said. “Notre Dame is blessed with truly outstanding faculty in all units. Their excellence is our strongest asset in attracting the next generation of scholars to advance our unique mission.”
Contact: Erin Blasko, director of media engagement, 574-631-4127, eblasko@nd.edu
—Originally published by Erin Blasko at news.nd.edu on September 11, 2026.