University of Michigan

Department Chair, Robotics

University of Michigan$160K — $200K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • World-class scholar with a distinguished track record in robotics.
  • Experience in research, teaching, leadership, and service at the tenured full professor level.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience at national and international levels.
  • Strong communications, management, and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven research achievements through publications and successful fundraising efforts.
  • Excellence in teaching and curriculum development in Robotics.
  • Ph.D. in robotics, computer science, or related engineering field.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the Robotics Department, shaping its future direction.
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration within the university and beyond.
  • Enhance the department's visibility and reputation in the field of robotics.
  • Oversee curriculum development to meet evolving industry needs.
  • Promote innovative research initiatives within the department.
  • Engage with external partners to bridge academic research and societal impact.
  • Mentor faculty and students, cultivating an inclusive academic environment.

Benefits

  • Access to a prestigious academic environment at a leading university.
  • Opportunity to shape the future of the Robotics discipline.
  • Engagement in dynamic interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • Support for professional development and research initiatives.
  • Involvement in high-impact societal projects.
Full Job Description
Description

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.

Qualifications

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.

Key attributes of successful candidates include:

  • 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.
  • A Ph.D. in robotics, computer science, or other engineering discipline.


Application Instructions

Applicants should electronically submit their cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, and leadership experience statement (each two pages). In addition, applicants are asked to submit a two-page vision statement on where they would lead the future of the Robotics discipline, including education and research, in the next two decades. Applicants should be prepared to share a list of names and contact information for at least five references upon being shortlisted.

The deadline for ensuring full consideration of an application is November 15, 2026, but the position will remain open, and applications will continue to be considered until the position is filled. The search will be conducted in confidence until finalists are identified prior to a public campus visit.

If you have any questions regarding the search process or would like to nominate a candidate, please contact Professor Jason Corso ([redacted]), Search Committee Chair.

Employment will require both a criminal background check and an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. Candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure form as well as an authorization to release information.

About University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan system. The University of Michigan was founded in 1817 in Detroit, as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state. The school moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 onto 40 acres (16 ha) of what is now known as Central Campus. Since its establishment in Ann Arbor, the university campus has expanded to include more than 584 major buildings with a combined area of more than 34 million gross square feet (781 acres or 3.16 km²), and has two satellite campuses located in Flint and Dearborn. The University of Michigan is a founding member of the Association of American Universities.
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