Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics Department Chair

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

141d

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics (NEEP) in the College of Engineering (COE). The department is a vibrant and growing unit, currently enrolling over 150 undergraduates, 100 graduate students across master’s and doctoral programs. NEEP is home to 14 core faculty members, and eight administrative staff. In addition, the department includes 11 affiliated faculty from different colleges and schools on campus. NEEP is a nationally recognized program spanning both fission and fusion, with major federally funded research programs, extensive experimental and computational infrastructure (including a campus research reactor, advanced plasma physics facilities, and ion-beam facility), and strong partnerships with national laboratories and industry, as well as multiple Wisconsin-born ventures. The department operates with an annual state expenditure of $4 million and supports over $18 million in research expenditures. The Chair will enter the College of Engineering at a transformative period of major investments designed to enhance the growth and development of the college and department. These investments include the Phillip A Levy Engineering Center, a $420 million investment in state-of-the-art facilities for learning and discovery. This 395,000-square-foot facility will be the centerpiece of our engineering campus and will feature shared laboratories that unite faculty, staff and students from all engineering disciplines around a common challenge. The Dean of Engineering has committed to expanding the Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics department with additional space renovations and startup costs for new faculty leading research. As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the department’s future—leading strategic growth, expanding academic programs, recruiting top-tier faculty, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate the department’s national and international profile through partnerships with industry leaders and to contribute to the broader growth of engineering at UW Madison. The Chair is responsible for leading all aspects of the department’s growth and functions. The role reports directly to the Dean of the College of Engineering. The initial term of appointment is five years, subject to annual review, and is eligible for reappointment. The selected candidate will be appointed with an endowed chair position which will include investiture and discretionary resources. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader who is deeply committed to UW–Madison’s public mission, able to lead effectively in an environment of shared governance, and dedicated to fostering student engagement and success. They will be an accomplished scholar whose own record of research excellence enables them to inspire and mentor faculty, support innovation, and elevate the department’s research profile. They will be eager to listen and collaborate with a broad community of stakeholders, cultivate an inclusive and supportive departmental culture that strengthens community both within and beyond the university, and advance cross-disciplinary partnerships that bring together diverse perspectives. The Chair will also be committed to fundraising and to building strong connections with alumni, industry, and other academic partners.

Requirements

Candidates are being sought at the Associate/Full professor level.
Demonstrated accomplishments in research and teaching appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment at UW-Madison.
PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Physics - or a closely related field

Nice To Haves

Preferred qualifications include demonstrated intellectual leadership and administrative skills in an academic/university environment or equivalent, active engagement with the student body and broader campus community; deep understanding of faculty governance and university culture, knowledge of the current landscape and emerging trends in nuclear engineering.

Responsibilities

Departmental Leadership
Promote a vision and mission for the department consistent with current and future needs within the COE and UW-Madison
Manage the administrative, financial, and space components of the department
Enhance the national and international recognition of the department
Promote and support high-impact research initiatives
Enhance current development efforts by engaging alumni and external partners
Be dedicated to the instructional mission of the department, college and university
Faculty & Staff Oversight, Recruitment, and Development
Support and promote the teaching, research, and service activities of the department’s faculty members
Provide Teaching & Instruction, Research Activities, and Service Activities.
Identify areas of current and future faculty needs for the department’s research and teaching missions.
Lead faculty recruitment efforts in conjunction with departmental faculty
Mentor and support junior and senior faculty in their professional growth
College Leadership
Serve on the Dean’s Leadership Council with other department Chairs and Associate Deans
Reports to the Dean of COE