One of the country’s most selective public research universities, Clemson University serves a uniquely driven and highly accomplished student body.

Ranked consistently as one of the best national public university by U.S.News & World Report, Clemson is a science- and engineering-oriented college dedicated to teaching, research and service. Founded in 1889, we remain committed both to world-class research and a high quality of life. In fact, 91 percent of our seniors say they’d pick Clemson again if they had it to do over.

Clemson’s retention and graduation rates rank among the highest in the country for public universities. We’ve been named among the best values by Kiplinger magazine in 2013, and SmartMoney in 2012 ranked us No. 7 in student return on investment.

Our beautiful college campus sits on 1,400 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the shores of Hartwell Lake. But we also have research facilities and economic development hubs throughout the state of South Carolina — in Greenville, Greenwood, Columbia and Charleston.

Clemson University
School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering
Search for Chair of Mechanical Engineering

Applications are sought for the position of Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) within the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering (SMAE). Candidates for the position must have earned a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field, a solid record of scholarly research and publications, experience with a diversified base of externally funded research, a commitment to excellence in teaching, the ability to recruit and mentor a diverse group of talent, and demonstration of strong leadership and communication skills. Qualified candidates will seek a primary tenured appointment at the rank of Professor within the SMAE.

The ME Department includes Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. programs. There are currently 44 faculty members in the department. Enrollment in ME includes 900 undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and 205 graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.). Fourteen administrative and technical staff members provide excellent support to the ME Department. Additional information about the SMAE and the ME Department can be found at: https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/me/

Clemson is a Carnegie “Very High Research Activity” (R1) University and is located on the shores of Lake Hartwell in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte, combining excellent cost-of-living with accessible work-life-family balance. Clemson enrolls over 27,000 students, including over 5,000 ethnic minorities and 1,500 international students.

The following criteria will be used for the search for the Department Chair.

A leader with both a national and an international reputation and an appropriate doctoral degree in a discipline relevant to Mechanical Engineering;
Significant leadership and administrative experience in supervising, mentoring, facilitating the tenure-promotion process, recruiting faculty and staff, and building educational and research programs;
Exemplary record as an educator, researcher, and scholar;
A vision for leadership in education, scholarship, and research for the department of Mechanical Engineering.

Leadership The Department Chair will provide overall leadership for the department to educate and mentor students and to guide faculty and staff; contribute to the annual evaluation of the faculty and their tenure-promotion process; establish departmental committees, advisory board(s) and other key departmental policies. The successful candidate will lead day-to-day operations and financial administration of the Department. The successful candidate will also assume the role of Associate Director of the School. In this role, the successful candidate will join the School’s Leadership team and work closely with the School Director to advance the School’s vision and mission.

Academics The Department Chair will provide leadership and coordination on all academic matters such as curriculum processes, working with faculty to design and develop appropriate academic curricular offerings, building on the foundation of the current program and developing new innovative educational experiences that will leverage the assets of the School and yield the greatest impact on student outcomes and success.

Research The Department Chair will provide leadership for high impact, cross-disciplinary research that will connect a multitude of stakeholders across and beyond the university.

Outreach and Engagement The Department Chair will engage with various internal and external stakeholders to position the department for maximum visibility and impact.

Development The Department Chair, working closely with the School Director and the Development team, will pursue appropriate philanthropic opportunities with individuals and corporate partners in support of scholarships, professorships, and gift opportunities for facilities and equipment.

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DEPARTMENT CHAIR - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING