Department Chair, Robotics

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor•Ann Arbor, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Robotics Department in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair. The University of Michigan Robotics Department creates the next generation of robotics and roboticists for the benefit of society. Operating out of the new world-class Ford Motor Company Robotics Building, the Department is one of the first free-standing robotics departments among leading engineering schools. Growing out of a successful Robotics Institute, the Department was established in 2022 to offer Bachelor's degrees in addition to Masters and PhDs degrees (since 2014), with the goal of defining the discipline of Robotics. Michigan Robotics pursues fundamental research across core areas of sensing, reasoning, acting, and interacting with humans. Roboticists from the Department join colleagues across the College of Engineering, Medical School, School of Information, School of Kinesiology, College of Architecture & Urban Planning, and School of Art & Design to work on robot learning and foundational models, perception and computer vision, manipulation and grasping, and motion planning and control. Faculty also study human-robot interaction and teaming, the design and soft robotics that give machines their physical form, and the safe autonomy that keeps these systems reliable in the real world. Michigan Robotics comprises 24 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, with more than 180,000 undergraduate students and over 250,000 graduate students, and is supported by an annual research budget of approximately $15 million dollars (FY2026). Our department is distinguished by its core values: robotics with respect, enthusiasm for outreach, and integrity in action. We ensure our designs and robots treat human interactions respectfully, inspire future students through outreach to change the world, and report both our successes and failures to show true progress in the field. Located on the University of Michigan’s North Campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan Engineering’s mission is to educate, innovate, and lead by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing knowledge, and preparing engineers to solve society’s greatest challenges. As a top-ranked engineering college, all of our graduate and undergraduate programs have a strong reputation for excellence. Michigan Engineering’s graduate and undergraduate programs rank 12th and 5th in the nation, respectively. Our world-renowned faculty are educating visionary leaders and advancing bold discoveries to shape a better world. Michigan Engineering has 13 academic departments and $369 million in annual research expenditures (FY2025), including within several large centers and institutes such as the Biointerfaces Institute and the AI & Digital Health Innovation Center. The College community includes more than 755 instructional and research faculty—including 35 National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Science members—more than 12,200 enrolled students, and boasts more than 100,000 living alumni. The University of Michigan is one of the world’s leading research universities, with $2.16B in research expenditures (FY2025). Consistently ranked among the top research universities by USNews and NSF, it has 19 schools and colleges, many of which are ranked in the top ten. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, approximately 25 miles from Detroit Metro International Airport, the University is rich with opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary inquiry, as it's situated near a hub of advanced technology, life sciences, and industries. We are ranked the #2 Best College Town in the U.S. by WalletHub (2026), and #4 Best Places to Live for Families by Fortune (2024). The successful candidate for Department Chair will be a leading world-class scholar with a distinguished track record in robotics and related disciplines. The candidate should not only possess an exemplary record of achievement in research, teaching, leadership, and service at a level commensurate with the appointment as a tenured full professor, but also command a vision for the future of the Robotics discipline. This vision should leverage and build on the strengths of our existing department and programs at the University of Michigan, leading them into an increasingly commanding position in the multidisciplinary field of Robotics.

Requirements

A Ph.D. in robotics, computer science, or other engineering discipline.
A leading world-class scholar with a distinguished track record in robotics and related disciplines.
An exemplary record of achievement in research, teaching, leadership, and service at a level commensurate with the appointment as a tenured full professor.
A vision for the future of the Robotics discipline.
Demonstrated leadership experience at the candidate’s home institution as well as nationally and internationally.
Proven communication, management, and interpersonal skills.
A strong research track record demonstrated through publications, national and international collaborations, grants, and fundraising.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching and curriculum development in Robotics.
Significant experience in bridging from the academic lab to serving society.

Responsibilities

Lead the Robotics Department and define the discipline of Robotics.
Pursue fundamental research across core areas of sensing, reasoning, acting, and interacting with humans.
Collaborate with colleagues across various schools and colleges on research topics such as robot learning, perception, manipulation, motion planning, human-robot interaction, soft robotics, and safe autonomy.
Ensure department core values: robotics with respect, enthusiasm for outreach, and integrity in action.
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration, advance knowledge, and prepare engineers to solve society’s greatest challenges.
Educate visionary leaders and advance bold discoveries.
Provide leadership at the candidate’s home institution as well as nationally and internationally.
Communicate effectively, manage resources, and foster positive interpersonal relationships.
Secure grants and engage in fundraising activities.
Demonstrate excellence in teaching and curriculum development in Robotics.
Bridge the gap from academic lab to serving society.