Materials Science & Engineering Department Chair

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Job Summary:

The University of WisconsinMadison invites applications for Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MS&E) in the College of Engineering (COE). The department comprises 23 primary faculty 42 affiliate faculty who advise MS&E graduate students and a community of teaching faculty and instructional and support staff. MS&E at UWMadison is recognized for world-class collaborative research that advances materials innovation with broad impact including sustainability performance in extreme environments autonomous research additive manufacturing energy production and storage and information and quantum technologies. These efforts are driven by transformative approaches to synthesis processing characterization and discovery leveraging AI data science and advanced computation. Faculty and students benefit from access to state-of-the-art UW facilities for materials synthesis characterization and computation.

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 discovery. This 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 Materials Science & 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. The Chair is responsible for leading all aspects of the departments mission. The role reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering. The initial term of appointment is five years subject to annual review and is eligible for reappointment. The selected candidate will be appointed with an endowed chair position that will include investiture and discretionary resources.

The successful candidate will be a visionary leader who is deeply committed to UWMadisons public mission who is able to lead effectively in an environment of shared governance and dedicated to fostering student engagement and success. The Chair will be an accomplished scholar with a record of research excellence who will inspire and mentor faculty support innovation and elevate the departments research profile. The Chair will be eager to listen and collaborate with a broad community of stakeholders cultivate an inclusive and supportive departmental culture that strengthens community both within and beyond the university and advance cross-disciplinary partnerships that bring together diverse perspectives. The Chair will be committed to fundraising and to building strong connections with alumni industry and other academic partners.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department Leadership:
Shape and promote a vision mission and strategic plan for the department

Promote and support high-impact research initiatives

Support and enhance the educational mission of the department college and university

Manage the administrative financial and space components of the department

Grow development by engaging alumni and external partners

Enhance the national and international recognition and reputation of the department

Provide Teaching and Instruction Research Activities and Service Activities.

Faculty and 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 mission

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

Department:

• College of Engineering Materials Science & Engineering

Compensation:

• Negotiable 9 months / ongoing / renewable

Required Qualifications:

• Candidates are sought at the Associate/Full professor level.

• Required qualifications include demonstrated accomplishments in research and teaching appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment at UW-Madison.Must possess experience and scholarly credentials that meet the tenure standards of the UW-Madison Divisional Committee and the College of Engineering.

• Preferred qualifications include demonstrated intellectual leadership and administrative skills in an academic/university environment or equivalent active engagement with the student body and broader campus community deep understanding of faculty governance and university culture knowledge of the current landscape and emerging trends in materials science and engineering.

Education:

• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering or a closely related field

How to Apply:

Please upload a SINGLE PDF with the following materials:

• A cover letter outlining the 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

• A statement of leadership philosophy

• A statement of research and teaching

Reference letters will only be requested for finalists for the position.

Deadline:

• The deadline for assuring full consideration is December 31 2025. However the position will remain open and applications may be considered until the position is filled.

Contact Information:

Cheryl Harris

Department of Materials Science Engineering

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.