Location: Syracuse,NY, USA
Syracuse University seeks an inspiring leader to chair the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) through a period of rapid growth and innovation. The successful candidate will hold the inaugural William T. Frantz Endowed Chair in Engineering and Computer Science. The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is embarking on a transformation that will result in a 50% growth in the number of faculty, staff, and undergraduate students, the development of internationally renowned research in areas of distinctive excellence (see About ECS section below), and the modernization of our rigorous curricular offerings over the next five years. This growth will significantly elevate the academic status in research and teaching in all areas of MAE, fuel the local economy and emerging high-tech industry, and supply the workforce with the talent needed to power innovation and entrepreneurship in the area.
The new chair will work closely with the dean of the college and other university leadership, as well as department leadership, faculty, staff, and students. The ideal hire for this position will leverage their comprehensive expertise and experience to advocate for the best interests of our diverse MAE community, including all students, alumni, staff, teaching faculty, and tenured/tenure-track faculty.
Qualifications
Candidates must have an earned doctorate in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field and present evidence of credentials that merit appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure, including a distinguished research and academic record commensurate with the title.
Job Specific Qualifications
Candidates with the following qualifications are desired:
? Distinguished record of scholarly achievement, teaching excellence, and professional accomplishments in the relevant field.
? Bold vision for advancing the department and proven leadership experience in an academic setting.
? Ability to implement strategic initiatives to elevate the department's research, teaching, and service reputation.
? Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
? Ability to build and support a world-class creative research team, and promote the development of innovative educational practices.
? Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
? Ability to nurture and sustain a collaborative and innovative departmental culture where shared governance, openness, transparency, and leadership by example are exemplified.
? Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Responsibilities
The chair will lead the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), which is one of four departments within the College of Engineering & Computer Science (ECS). The department comprises 22 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 7 full-time teaching faculty, 2 professors of practice, and 5 staff members serving over 430 undergraduates and over 170 graduate students. MAE has two ABET-accredited undergraduate programs (Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering), two Master's programs (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Management), and a Ph.D. program in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
MAE boasts an interdisciplinary and effective blend of theory and practice that is reflected in our research, our collaborations within the University and with industry, and our curricula. Active areas of research focus include energy storage, advanced manufacturing, energy systems, thermal management, combustion, indoor environments and human performance, multidisciplinary analysis and design, robotics, nano- and micro-technologies, soft matter and smart materials, composite materials, bio-inspired design, nonlinear and adaptive control, guidance, navigation and control, trajectory optimization, computational fluid dynamics, and flow control.
The new department chair is expected to:
? Actively work with faculty in the department and across the university to achieve excellence in scholarly and sponsored research, education, and service, and to expand interdisciplinary collaborations, while promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
? Provide leadership in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining a diverse and excellent faculty and student body.
? Be an advocate and spokesperson for the department both within the College and University and to external stakeholders including local communities, industries, professional societies, and state and federal government/agencies.
? Effectively articulate the vision and roadmap of the department to alumni, department advisory board, and other constituencies.
? Ensure effective departmental processes to maintain accreditation (ABET and Middle States) and continuous improvement of program curricula.
? Evaluate faculty and staff performance, and make recommendations for tenure, promotion, reappointment, salary adjustment, and leaves of absence.
About ECS
The College of Engineering and Computer Science has developed a strategic plan, under the leadership of Dean J. Cole Smith, with a bold vision to develop distinctive research excellence in emerging computing technologies, advanced manufacturing, resilient systems, aerospace, infrastructure for natural and built environments, materials engineering for emergent applications, and engineering for the well-being of humans and humanity. The plan also aims to achieve educational excellence and student success through real-world experiential education, innovative curricula and responsive programs, and multi-faceted student support and global educational experience. Implementing the strategic plan will position ECS as a premier college in engineering and computer science, characterized by signature research and educational programs embedded with the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, that yield distinctive local and global impact.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
For full consideration, candidates must complete an online application at and upload:
? A detailed cover letter describing interest in the position and addressing the desired qualifications for this role
? Curriculum vitae
? Contact information for three professional references
Review of applications will begin on December 5, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position may be sent to the Chair of the search committee, Professor Andria Costello Staniec, at ...@syr.edu.