Michigan State University - Civil and Environmental Engineering - Department Chair

INSTITUTION: Michigan State University
DEPARTMENT: Civil and Environmental Engineering
POSITION: Department Chair
NOTES:

2065Chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University

Michigan State University invites nominations and applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Department currently has 26 tenure-system faculty members, with approximately 500 undergraduate and 120 graduate students.  Degrees in both civil engineering and environmental engineering are offered at the BS, MS and PhD levels. Annual research expenditures are approximately $6 million.

The faculty research sub-disciplines include structures, materials, self-powered sensors, transportation, pavements, environmental and water resources. The faculty are very active and much engaged in a strong trend toward breaking out of sub-disciplinary confines, with approaches that bring in new technologies and methodologies that address new problems, span multiple traditional subject areas, or are based on considerations and new criteria to CE and ENE professional practices.  This evolutionary change is based on new paradigms that more broadly focus on the built and natural environments, infrastructure engineering, protection of human and ecological health, and sustainability.  As an academic unit committed to quality teaching and research,  the faculty seek to embrace this change, respond to the new challenges, and increase their societal impact, while building upon the very firm foundation provided by the core CE and ENE disciplines. The Department is home to the National Center for Pavement Preservation, an outreach / technology transfer operation with national and international connections at both industry and government levels.

The successful candidate will hold an earned doctorate in Civil or Environmental Engineering or a closely related discipline, a record of sustained excellence in research, teaching, and service commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor, evidence of leadership, and strong administrative skills. Development/fund raising experience is a plus. Selection criteria include abilities to lead the department and implement a shared vision, to mentor and support faculty, to catalyze innovations in teaching and curricula at all levels, to promote further growth of sponsored research activities, to effectively represent Department interests, and to promote diversity. The preferred start date for the position is July 1, 2016.

MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas.  The campus is adjacent to the city of East Lansing and the capital city of Lansing.  The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education.  Michigan State University is pro-active in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career couples, both inside and outside the University.  Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at http://miwin.msu.edu/. MSU is committed to supporting the employee’s work and personal life (http://worklife.msu.edu/) and more information relevant to the College of Engineering can be found at http://www.egr.msu.edu/WE.

Candidates should submit an application for this position through: http://jobs.msu.edu/ and refer to position 2065.  Applicants should submit a cover letter summarizing their interest in the position, qualifications and leadership approach, a full curriculum vitae, and a vision statement of three pages or less on the future of teaching, research and service in civil and environmental engineering from an academic perspective.  Names and contact information for five references should also be included. Applications will be reviewed on a continuing basis until the position is filled.  For full consideration, applications should be received before December 31, 2015.  Nominations or questions are welcome by contacting the search committee chair through email at cee-chair-search@egr.msu.edu.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity employer.  MSU is committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. The university actively encourages applications or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.