Director

Tennessee Tech•Cookeville, TN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director for the Center for Energy Systems Research (CESR). The goal is to elevate CESR to regional and national recognition as a leader in modern resilient, secure, and scalable energy systems. This is a full-time, nine-month tenured faculty position at the rank of associate or full professor, with guaranteed summer support and tenure in an appropriate department within the College of Engineering. The Director will act as the chief executive officer of CESR, reporting directly to the Associate Dean for Research. Key responsibilities include providing strategic vision, leading research development, securing external funding, managing budgets and personnel, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach. The Director is also expected to maintain an active research program and contribute to instruction in their tenure home department. CESR, a Center of Excellence founded over 40 years ago, has continuous state funding of $1.2 million annually and a strong history of externally funded research and partnerships with the electric power industry and government agencies. The incoming Director will cultivate a collaborative research culture, engaging College of Engineering faculty and supporting their professional growth. The College of Engineering has approximately 3,200 students and is undergoing significant expansion and modernization, including new programs in Nuclear Engineering.

Requirements

Doctorate degree in an appropriate engineering discipline.
Tenured faculty appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.
Expertise in resilient, secure, and scalable energy systems.
Experience in research leadership and development.
Proven ability to secure external funding.
Experience in budget and personnel management.
Demonstrated ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach.
Active research program.
Ability to contribute to instruction.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the electric power industry.
Experience with government agencies.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic vision, leadership, and guidance to advance CESR's regional and national prominence in resilient, secure, and scalable energy systems.
Lead research development.
Secure external funding.
Manage budgets and personnel.
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach activities beyond the college domain.
Maintain an active research program.
Contribute to instruction within their tenure home department.
Build and sustain a collaborative, faculty-centered research culture that actively engages College of Engineering faculty and supports their growth as researchers and scholars.