Carnegie Mellon University

Department Head and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Carnegie Mellon University$120K — $150K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in engineering or a closely related science field
  • Internationally recognized record in research and education
  • Proven leadership in academic or administrative roles
  • Capacity to mentor faculty and staff effectively
  • Eligibility for tenure at the professor rank

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic vision and leadership for the CEE department
  • Oversee educational and research programs to enhance excellence
  • Hire and mentor faculty and staff to achieve departmental goals
  • Manage the department budget effectively
  • Foster alumni and donor relations to boost philanthropic support
  • Collaborate with college leadership on interdisciplinary initiatives

Benefits

  • Access to Dual Career Program resources
  • Membership in the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium for dual-career searches
  • Opportunity to work in a nationally ranked College of Engineering
  • Engagement in a vibrant academic and cultural community in Pittsburgh
  • Access to world-class research facilities and collaborative opportunities
Full Job Description
Description

The Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering invites applications for the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) (https://www.cmu.edu/cee/) is one of ten academic departments in the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and is ranked as a top ten department (US News & World Report). CEE has a long and distinguished tradition in education and research, and today its 21 core faculty continue to address the most important and challenging issues at the forefront of science and technology. CEE was initiated as the Study of Civil Practice under the School of Applied Science in 1905 as one of the first departments of the newly formed university. It also graduated the first PhD student of Carnegie Mellon in 1921. The department resides in the oldest building on campus: Porter Hall, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The student body includes approximately 80 undergraduates (sophomore - senior), over 90 Masters, and over 60 PhD students. CEE's annual research expenditures attributable to CEE Faculty as lead investigator are over $9M. As one of several departments in the nationally 7th ranked College of Engineering, CEE is a highly interdisciplinary program, and several of our faculty share joint appointments with other departments across campus. Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh PA. The city combines the amenities of a major metropolitan area with an affordable cost of living, a growing culinary reputation, and outstanding cultural offerings that include world-class museums, theaters, and music venues. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy easy access to parks, rivers, and trails. Pittsburgh's friendly community and the strong tech and research ecosystem anchored by several world-class universities provides an environment where new faculty can thrive both professionally and personally. Pittsburgh is the home of other world-class research universities, a growing technology industry, and a major research hospital (UPMC).

An accomplished academic leader is sought to provide strategic vision, leadership, and outstanding operational management, to oversee world-class research and educational programs, and to guide the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to the highest level of accomplishment and impact. Department heads in the College of Engineering provide the vision, leadership and administrative oversight to increase excellence in the education and research programs in the department; hire and mentor faculty and staff to achieve the goals of the department and the college; manage the department budget and achieve various goals within the constraints of the budget; and work to build stronger alumni/donor relations to increase philanthropic giving. As a member of the leadership team in the college, they work with the dean, other academic department heads/directors, research institute directors, and members of the college's Executive Council to coordinate and support existing multidisciplinary education and research programs and build and support collaborative initiatives that contribute to the vision and strategy of the college and CMU.

Carnegie Mellon University provides resources through its Dual Career Program https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/dual-careers/index.html and is a member of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NERC) that assists with dual-career searches.

Review of applications will begin on January 10th, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The expected start date is August 1, 2026. E-mail inquiries concerning this position may be sent to the Search Committee at [email protected]

Qualifications

Individuals with expertise across a wide range of areas related to Civil and Environmental Engineering will be considered. Applicants must have earned a PhD in a field of engineering or science closely related to the disciplinary expertise of the department. An internationally recognized record of research, education, mentorship and leadership are essential. Applicants must be qualified for an appointment at the rank of professor with tenure.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit applications electronically via Interfolio, including a cover letter (2-3 pages) that describes leadership experience and administrative experience, your management approach, and your vision for the future of the department. This application should also include a curriculum vitae and 2 statements: a statement of research experience and interests (2-3 pages); and a statement of teaching experience and interests (2-3 pages). The search committee will solicit names of references and their contact information only for a subset of applicants after the initial review. Applicants will be notified in advance before letters are requested.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university that was founded in 1900. The university is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is known for its programs in computer science, engineering, and the arts. Carnegie Mellon has a diverse student body and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. The university has a strong focus on research and has partnerships with a number of companies and organizations. Carnegie Mellon is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States.
Learn more about Carnegie Mellon University
Size
14,000 employees
Industry

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Carnegie Mellon University

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Department Head and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering jobs: