Department Head - Materials Science and Engineering

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Head. The successful candidate will be appointed as a tenured professor and a named professorship distinction is available. The selected Department Head will provide visionary, collaborative, and accountable leadership for a department with a strong tradition of research, education, and industry engagement. The Department Head serves as a member of the College of Engineering leadership team reporting to the Dean and is the department’s principal advocate to university leaders, alumni, industry, government sponsors, professional communities, and other external partners. The Department Head will lead the development and execution of a shared strategic vision with departmental faculty; foster excellence in research, education, mentoring, service, and outreach; steward departmental fundraising for resources; and build a culture in which faculty, staff, and students can thrive. The next Department Head will build on MSE’s distinctive strengths in hands-on education, materials innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Priority opportunities include advancing research, graduate education, and undergraduate education; growing undergraduate and graduate enrollment; strengthening industry, national laboratories, and alumni partnerships; broadening the department’s visibility and impact; supporting faculty and staff success; and positioning MSE for leadership in advanced manufacturing, energy, microelectronics, health, national security, and sustainable materials.

Requirements

Ph.D. in materials science and engineering or a closely related field.
Demonstrated academic, administrative, or equivalent leadership experience, including the ability to set priorities, make sound decisions, and lead change.
Professional accomplishments and experience consistent with appointment as a tenured Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech.

Nice To Haves

A record of building consensus, communicating clearly and transparently, and bringing diverse perspectives together around shared goals.
Success in mentoring faculty, staff, and students and in developing collaborative, high-performing teams.
Experience with financial and personnel management, strategic planning, fundraising, and/or stewardship of complex academic or research operations.
Commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive community.
Evidence of productive partnerships with industry, government, alumni, professional organizations, and/or interdisciplinary research communities.

Responsibilities

Articulate and implement, with the department community, a compelling and actionable strategic vision aligned with the College of Engineering and Virginia Tech.
Advance a culture of excellence, collegiality, belonging, transparency, professionalism, and shared responsibility among faculty, staff, and students.
Build a connected and high-trust departmental community through visible, approachable, inclusive, and transparent leadership; develop shared ownership and emerging leaders across the faculty and staff; and make timely, accountable decisions that advance agreed-upon priorities.
Provide effective academic and administrative leadership for personnel, promotion and tenure, mentoring, budget and resource management, facilities, and departmental operations.
Champion high-quality, innovative undergraduate and graduate education, including hands-on learning, communication skills, student recruitment, retention, and career success.
Strengthen the department’s research enterprise, support interdisciplinary initiatives, and grow partnerships and resources through industry engagement, alumni relations, philanthropy, and sponsored research.
Expand external resources through strategic partnerships with industry, alumni, government, and philanthropic supporters, while raising MSE’s visibility as a university and national hub for materials science and engineering.
Represent and strongly advocate for MSE effectively within the College, university, professional communities, and external stakeholder networks.
Recruit, retain, develop, and recognize outstanding faculty and staff; promote the success and well-being of all members of the department.