Careers in Quality

The recently endowed John and Marcia Price College of Engineering at the University of Utah is now accepting applications and nominations for the position of Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The University of Utah is recognized as one of the nation’s leading research institutions and is a member of the Association of American Universities. The Department offers ABET-accredited undergraduate degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering and a minor in Nuclear Engineering.  It has M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nuclear Engineering. The State of Utah, the University and private donors have invested significantly in the College’s recent growth, and significant further funding and resources are expected.

The next Chair will be an innovative and energetic academic leader eager to represent and advocate for all departmental faculty, staff, students, and programs. The Department seeks a leader who guides future faculty hiring to improve student learning and enrollment, and advance strategic research and educational initiatives and growth. The Department has eight open positions, including five tenure-track faculty lines and three staff positions, which the next Chair can use to advance strategic research and teaching missions. The next Chair will work with the faculty to build research portfolios and lead the cutting edge of future engineers. Candidates must have an excellent academic/research program with international visibility appropriate for the rank of Professor and demonstrated leadership and administrative skills. The department chair is charged with leading faculty and staff in advancing the department's research, teaching, and service mission; and must have a demonstrated commitment to serving diverse students with a broad spectrum of academic preparation.

The Department faculty currently consists of twenty-two tenure-line faculty and four lecturing faculty. Its current research and curriculum encompass Construction, Environmental, Geotechnical, Materials, Nuclear, Structural, Transportation, and Water Resources Engineering. In addition to the aforementioned engineering areas, the department has also embraced emerging research frontiers in machine learning, artificial intelligence, genomics and bioinformatics, smart and sustainable infrastructure, and renewable energy. This has led the current faculty members to collaborate nationally and internationally.  The Department is housed in newly renovated and expanded building spaces with spacious offices, high-tech class and conference rooms, state-of-art laboratories and graduate student space, and extensive student-centered study and collaboration spaces. Additional information about the Department and our current faculty can be found at www.civil.utah.edu.

Under the direction of the Dean of the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, the Chair is responsible for administration, establishing a culture of strong faculty governance, and external partnering for the Department. These external relations include collaborating with other campus entities, industrial and research stakeholders, and potential donors. The Chair leads the faculty in implementing strategic plans and work collaboratively to implement the Department’s priorities for advancing its status in research and education. In addition, the Chair manages the Department’s seven administrative staff members with duties including allocating financial resources, recruiting faculty and students, evaluating faculty and staff performance, guiding program accreditation assessments, and managing teaching resources. The Chair is also expected to maintain an active research program and contribute to teaching.

Candidates will be evaluated on their credentials, which should include a doctorate in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, their vision for the future of the Department, as well as their previous administrative successes, experience in consensus-building, and skills in engaging with community and campus stakeholders. The candidate should have sufficient expertise to direct a multifaceted academic department, the ability to articulate and promote the Department’s mission, a participatory management style, personal integrity, and a strong commitment to professional ethics. The Department is particularly interested in a leader who will further strengthen the graduate program through an environment that fosters nationally competitive research and encourages interdisciplinarity and collaboration. The candidate should be able to articulate a clear vision of how they would lead the Department toward a higher level of excellence. The University of Utah is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and are strongly committed to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.

The University of Utah is the flagship higher education and research institution in Utah and offers exceptional benefits to its faculty. The University is located in the foothills of the spectacular Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Valley metropolitan area offers a temperate climate, outstanding educational, cultural, and recreational attractions (including opera, symphony, theater, and world-class skiing, biking, hiking, and camping), and excellent medical facilities. Five national parks and several monuments, recreation areas, and National forests provide outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities. Utah and the Wasatch Front Area are undergoing strong economic growth, with one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology sectors. The University of Utah’s Pivot Center is responsible for the launch of 330 companies and drives technology development, commercialization, and corporate engagement for the State of Utah.

Review of the applications will begin on October 16, 2023 and applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis thereafter until the search is closed. Application materials must be submitted electronically at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/152269 and should include (1) a cover letter highlighting the applicant's qualifications and vision of the key initiatives in research, education, and academic leadership for the department (not to exceed 3 pages), (2) current curriculum vitae, (3) research statement, and (4) teaching statement. We also require (5) a one-page statement that describes how the candidate will contribute to fostering an inclusive research and teaching environment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (uploaded as “Applicant Document – Other”). Questions may be directed to the search committee co-chair, Ramesh Goel (ram.goel@utah.edu).

The University of Utah is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educator. Minorities, women, and persons of disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Veteran's preference. Reasonable accommodations provided. For additional information: http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-106.html.