Rochester Institute of Technology (COE)-Department Head


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Rochester Institute of Technology (COE)-Department Head

Department Head Mechanical Engineering

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a leading private research university, renowned for creativity and technical innovation, invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Head of Mechanical Engineering. Reporting to the Dean of the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, the department head will provide visionary leadership to advance the mission of the Mechanical Engineering Department and achieve a higher level of excellence. Responsibilities include recruiting and mentoring excellent faculty, expanding scholarship and sponsored research, developing and delivering innovative and relevant curricula, responsibly managing resources, promoting the department to both internal and external audiences, and fostering a collaborative and collegial environment. We are seeking an individual who has the ability and interest in contributing to a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect, diversity and pluralism; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT’s core values, honor code, and statement of diversity.

The department head holds a full-time ten-month position that includes opportunities for research, service, and teaching. Candidates are expected to hold a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field with a record of distinguished scholarship and teaching required for an appointment as a tenured full professor in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Department Description:

With over 1000 undergraduate and graduate students, the Mechanical Engineering Department is the largest of the six academic departments in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. The department includes 23 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 15 lecturers, and 11 staff members. The department offers a five-year BS in Mechanical Engineering with options in automotive engineering, aerospace engineering, energy and the environment, and bioengineering and an accelerated BS-ME/MS program. Graduate programs include an MS and ME in Mechanical Engineering managed by the department and a PhD in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering managed centrally by the college along with three other PhD programs. Faculty research is supported by many core facilities across campus including a fully staffed mechanical engineering machine shop providing machining, fabrication, design, and manufacturing services, the AMPrint Center for Additive Manufacturing and Multifunctional Printing, a NY State Center for Advanced Technology, a high-performance computing cluster through RIT Research Computing, and the Semiconductor Nanofabrication Laboratory and cleanroom facilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

  • Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
  • Evidence of effective and relevant leadership experience (e.g. department head, graduate coordinator, center director, etc.)
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience working in academia.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with potential sources of external funding.
  • Evidence of a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate education.
  • Research and teaching interests that complement one or more of the department’s focus
  • areas.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Evidence of effective engagement in interdisciplinary activities within a college or institute.
  • Experience in fostering growth of a research program and demonstrated ability to effectively mentor graduate students and junior faculty.
  • Ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the college’s continuing commitment to cultural diversity, pluralism, and individual differences.

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates may apply online at http://careers.rit.edu/faculty; select Faculty Positions, then Keyword Search 8276BR. Please submit your application, curriculum vitae, and cover letter addressing the listed qualifications. Additionally, upload the following attachments:

  • Statement that describes your leadership philosophy and leadership experiences to date
  • Statement that describes your teaching philosophy, research interests, and accomplishments
  • Statement that summarizes your contributions to diversity and inclusion
  • The names, addresses, and phone numbers for three references

Questions for the search committee regarding this position may be directed to Dr. Kathleen Lamkin- Kennard at kaleme@rit.edu. A review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until an acceptable candidate is found.