Department Chair Position - Mechanical Engineering - University of South Florida

DEPARTMENT CHAIR POSITION
Mechanical Engineering
University of South Florida

Applications and nominations are invited for the position of Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering.  The department is one of six departments in the College of Engineering. With over $20 million per year in sponsored research, the College of Engineering plays a prominent role in the University of South Florida's strong research profile.  The department has 18 full-time faculty members and offers B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering.  The faculty teaches and advises approximately 280 undergraduate students, 56 master students and 20 doctoral students.  Areas of specialization within the department include Robotics, Material Science, Biomedical Engineering, Sustainability and Engineering Education Research. The department has strong collaborations with USF Health and many of its faculty are active in thrust areas such as nanotechnology, MEMS, bioengineering, and energy research through centers such as the Nanomaterials and Nano-manufacturing Research Center and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium. 

Preferred candidates should possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and be able to lead the department in developing and implementing a compelling vision for its research, education and service programs.  Key responsibilities will include strategic planning, development of emerging areas of expertise, coordination of interdisciplinary activities, and assistance with securing funding for fellowships, scholarships, endowed chairs and center/focus area initiatives and commitment to diversity in faculty and staff hiring.

Candidates must possess a Ph.D., or equivalent, in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field and qualify as a full professor in the department. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to:  promote educational excellence; provide academic leadership; mentor and develop faculty; teach and advise students, stimulate diversity; and continue a productive research program.

The preferred start date for this position is August 2010.  Applicants should electronically submit the application packet containing a cover letter, complete vitae, names and addresses of at least four references, the candidate's vision for the future of the Mechanical Engineering Department, and a statement of educational and research philosophy to the following website:  https://employment.usf.edu/.  Nominations of candidates will also be gladly accepted at the following email address: eng-mechairsearch@eng.usf.edu.

Located in the vibrant Tampa Bay area, the University of South Florida is among the nation's top 63 public research universities, is one of 39 community engaged public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and placed among the nation's top 20 "up and coming universities" in the 2009 U.S. News & World Report annual college rankings.  The University was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants last year. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the MD degree.  The university has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.

The search and selection process will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the "Government in the Sunshine" laws of the State of Florida.  Meetings of the search committee are open to the public and all documents related to the search will be available for public inspection. Candidates who need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process should notify: eng-accomrequest@eng.usf.edu.   Screening of applicants will begin January 4, 2010 and will continue until the position is filled. 

USF is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.  Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.