Department Chair - Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University

Department Chair - Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Duke University and the Pratt School of Engineering invite applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS). MEMS is one of four departments in the Pratt School of Engineering, within a world-class, top-ranked teaching and research institution.

Department Overview

The Department currently has 26 full-time faculty members and over 250 students pursuing B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. With average annual research expenditures of $6M, the Department was recently ranked 8th nationally for scholarly productivity of faculty by the Chronicle of Higher Education (2008). Areas of faculty specialization are: Aeroelasticity, Aerodynamics, Biomechanics, Computational Materials Science, Computational Mechanics, Controls, Energy, Intelligent Systems, Nonlinear Dynamics, Nanoscience, Surface and Interface Science, Single Molecule Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, and Vibrations.

The Department derives strength from cross-disciplinary collaborations in the Pratt School of Engineering, the School of Medicine, and throughout the university. Many MEMS faculty are active in thrust areas such as nanotechnology, bioengineering, and energy research, organized around Duke's hallmark interdisciplinary centers, including the Center for Bioinspired Materials and Materials Systems (CBIMMS) and Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT). The Pratt School is committed to the Department's continued growth and excellence, with several faculty hires in progress or planned.

Candidate Profile and Responsibilties

Successful candidates will have a track record of dynamic leadership skills in academia, possess excellent 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 (e.g. energy research), coordination of interdisciplinary activities, commitment to diversity in faculty and staff hiring, and assistance with securing funding for scholarships, endowed chairs, and center/focus area initiatives. Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field, and must qualify as a full professor in the department, able to continue a productive research program of international stature. The preferred start date for this position is July 2011.

Application

Applicants should submit the application packet containing a cover letter, complete curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of at least four references to the following website: http://www.mems.duke.edu/application-for-chair.

Contact

Please contact the head of the search committee, Prof. Stefan Zauscher (zauscher@duke.edu) with questions or nominations of candidates. Applications received before November 1, 2010 will receive full consideration, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Duke University and Health System is an equal opportunity institution. Duke is committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting qualified minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. If you have a disability requiring reasonable accommodations during the application process, please contact Disability Management Systems at 919-684-8247