University of Pittsburgh

Department Chair - Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science

University of Pittsburgh$120K — $150K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Tenured, full professor status in a recognized engineering discipline.
  • Established track record of conducting high-quality sponsored research.
  • Proven record of impactful publications in leading academic journals.
  • Demonstrated commitment to educational excellence across multiple levels.
  • Strong leadership skills with a multi-disciplinary vision for the department.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and articulate a strategic vision for the MEMS Department.
  • Lead and foster innovative research initiatives and collaborations.
  • Enhance educational programs at undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Build and maintain relationships with local and national industries.
  • Advocate for departmental needs and initiatives within the Swanson School of Engineering.

Benefits

  • Access to state-of-the-art research and educational facilities.
  • Strong connections to local industry for collaborative opportunities.
  • Opportunity to shape the future direction of a leading engineering department.
  • Engagement in a well-ranked, historically significant engineering program.
  • Potential for impactful leadership roles within a top-tier institution.
Full Job Description
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for the position of Department Chair and Professor. We are looking for a scholar with a multi-disciplinary focus and strong leadership skills. A successful applicant must have a vision for the future of mechanical engineering and materials science at Pitt and a plan to realize that vision.

Applicants for the position must be qualified for appointment as a tenured, full professor in the Swanson School of Engineering. They should have an established record of conducting high-quality sponsored research; producing impactful publications in leading journals; and demonstrating a proven commitment to educational excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.

The MEMS Department at Pitt has state-of-the-art research and educational facilities and strong connections to local industry. Today, Pitt-MEMS features innovative undergraduate and graduate programs and world-class research in advanced manufacturing and design, materials for extreme conditions, soft matter biomechanics, computational and data-enabled engineering, cyber-physical systems and security, and nuclear and other sustainable energies. Our undergraduate and master's students have an outstanding placement record at leading companies, and our doctoral students have successfully found faculty positions at major universities in the U.S. and abroad, as well as cutting-edge research positions in industry and national laboratories.

Applicants should submit:
• A cover letter describing their interest in the position and relevant qualifications
• Two-page statement of vision and plans for advancing the MEMS department
• Detailed curriculum vitae
• Research statement
• Teaching statement
• List of at least three professional references.

Applications will start being reviewed on November 10th, 2025, on an ongoing basis until the position has been filled. Please e-mail [redacted] in confidence for any questions or recommendations that you might have for potential candidates.

About University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1787 and is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of higher education in the United States. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across 17 schools and colleges. The University of Pittsburgh is known for its strong programs in health sciences, engineering, business, and law. It is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Pitt Innovation Institute and the Center for Energy.
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