Inside Higher Ed
Chair of Mechanical Engineering / Professor
Position Overview: The University of Kansas (KU) School of Engineering seeks an exceptional leader to serve as Chairperson and Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, with an anticipated start date of August 18, 2026. The role will guide a dynamic and expanding department housed in renovated, state‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities.
Responsibilities Chairperson Responsibilities (60% Administrative)
Advocate for faculty, staff, and students; oversee academic programs and curriculum development.
Support high‑impact research and provide mentorship to faculty.
Manage departmental budgets and resources; plan facilities and space.
Engage alumni, industry partners, and donors; coordinate accreditation and continuous improvement efforts.
Represent the department at institutional and external levels, cultivate alumni and donor relationships.
Tenured Faculty Responsibilities (40%)
Maintain an active research program; teach undergraduate and graduate courses (typical assignment of 15% teaching and 25% research).
Qualifications
A doctorate in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline and a distinguished record of research, teaching, and service that merits appointment at the tenured professor level.
Proven leadership and management skills; strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
A commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and student success, and a dedication to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Ability to serve as an academic leader and team builder, fostering research and educational collaborations among faculty, alumni, and affiliated units.
Ability to create, communicate, and implement a vision for the department’s future and inspire key constituencies in support of departmental priorities.
Enthusiasm for forging new industry partnerships, sponsored research, and alumni engagement and philanthropic support.
A desire to engage and mentor faculty, staff, and students; to work effectively across the school, campus, and external groups.
Capacity to lead diverse teams and manage complex projects.
Additional Candidate Instructions All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. Candidates should submit materials by November 3, 2025.
Contact Information Jessica Herrington, Lucy Leske, and Corin Edwards at
KUMEChair@wittkieffer.com
Application Timeline Application Review Begins: Monday, November 3, 2025 Anticipated Start Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Salary Range Commensurate with experience
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Responsibilities Chairperson Responsibilities (60% Administrative)
Advocate for faculty, staff, and students; oversee academic programs and curriculum development.
Support high‑impact research and provide mentorship to faculty.
Manage departmental budgets and resources; plan facilities and space.
Engage alumni, industry partners, and donors; coordinate accreditation and continuous improvement efforts.
Represent the department at institutional and external levels, cultivate alumni and donor relationships.
Tenured Faculty Responsibilities (40%)
Maintain an active research program; teach undergraduate and graduate courses (typical assignment of 15% teaching and 25% research).
Qualifications
A doctorate in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline and a distinguished record of research, teaching, and service that merits appointment at the tenured professor level.
Proven leadership and management skills; strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
A commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and student success, and a dedication to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Ability to serve as an academic leader and team builder, fostering research and educational collaborations among faculty, alumni, and affiliated units.
Ability to create, communicate, and implement a vision for the department’s future and inspire key constituencies in support of departmental priorities.
Enthusiasm for forging new industry partnerships, sponsored research, and alumni engagement and philanthropic support.
A desire to engage and mentor faculty, staff, and students; to work effectively across the school, campus, and external groups.
Capacity to lead diverse teams and manage complex projects.
Additional Candidate Instructions All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. Candidates should submit materials by November 3, 2025.
Contact Information Jessica Herrington, Lucy Leske, and Corin Edwards at
KUMEChair@wittkieffer.com
Application Timeline Application Review Begins: Monday, November 3, 2025 Anticipated Start Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Salary Range Commensurate with experience
#J-18808-Ljbffr