Biomedical Engineering Department Chair

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Job Summary:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (UWBME) in the College of Engineering. The department is a vibrant and growing unit currently enrolling 695 undergraduates107 graduate students across masters and doctoral programs.

The Chair will enter the College of Engineering at a transformative period of major investments designed to enhance the growth and development of the college and department. These investments include the Phillip A Levy Engineering Center a $420 million investment in state-of-the-art facilities for learning and 395000-square-foot facility will be the centerpiece of our engineering campus and will feature shared laboratories that unite faculty staff and students from all engineering disciplines around a common challenge.

The Dean of Engineering has committed to expanding the Biomedical Engineering department with additional space renovations and startup costs for new faculty leading research. As Chair you will play a pivotal role in shaping the departments futureleading strategic growth expanding academic programs recruiting top-tier faculty and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate the departments national and international profile through partnerships with industry leaders and to contribute to the broader growth of engineering at UW Madison.

UW Biomedical Engineering is home to 25 core faculty members five teaching faculty and seven administrative addition the department includes 62 affiliated faculty from different colleges and schools on campus. The department operates with an annual state expenditure of $3.5 million and supports over $9 million in research expenditures. The Chair is responsible for leading all aspects of the departments growth and functions. The role reports directly to the Dean of the College of Engineering. The selected candidate will be appointed as the Peter Tong Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. This endowed chair position will include investiture and discretionary initial term of appointment is five years subject to annual review and is eligible for reappointment.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Departmental Leadership:

• Promote a vision and mission for the department consistent with current and future needs within the COE and UW-Madison

• Manage the administrative financial and space components of the department

• Enhance the national and international recognition of the department

• Promote and support high-impact research initiatives

• Enhance current development efforts by engaging alumni and external partners

• Be dedicated to the instructional mission of the department college and university

Faculty & Staff Oversight Recruitment and Development:

• Support and promote the teaching research and service activities of the departments faculty members

• Identify areas of current and future faculty needs for the departments research and teaching missions.

• Lead faculty recruitment efforts in conjunction with departmental faculty

• Mentor and support junior and senior faculty in their professional growth

College Leadership

• Serve on the Deans Leadership Council with other department Chairs and Associate Deans

• Reports to the Dean of COE

Department:

• College of Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering

Compensation:

• Negotiable 9 months / ongoing / renewable

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated intellectual leadership and administrative skills in an academic/university environment or equivalent

• Expresses a clear vision for the future for the department

• Established record of professional activities and leadership in professional organizations

• Have credentials commensurate with appointment as full professor with tenure in the department.

Education:

• Doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering or closely related physical or biological sciences

How to Apply:

Please upload a SINGLE PDF with the following materials:

• A cover letter outlining their vision for the department and relevant leadership experience

• A curriculum vitae highlighting research accomplishments (including complete list of publications) teaching mentoring experience and administrative roles

The deadline for assuring full consideration is November 21 2025. However the position will remain open and applications may be considered until this position is filled.

Contact Information:

Professor Darryl Thelen

Search Committee Chair

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength creativity and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity culture background experience status abilities and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching research outreach and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students faculty and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus please visit:Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to including but not limited to race color religion sex sexual orientation national origin age pregnancy disability or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings click here.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g. application interview pre-employment testing etc.) please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.