CHAIR & PROFESSOR, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

CHAIR & PROFESSOR

• An earned doctorate in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
• A distinguished record of scholarship, education, mentoring, and professional contribution that merits appointment as a tenured full professor at the University of Florida.
• Evidence of successful leadership in a research-intensive university or comparably complex organization, including building collaborative, high-performing organizational cultures and developing faculty, staff, and emerging leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and articulate a compelling strategic vision to advance the reputation and ranking of the department by translating that vision into clear priorities, strategic investments and measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and expand sponsored research programs, including fostering collaborative research and advancing high-impact programs.
• Excellent communication, judgment, integrity, and relationship-building skills; ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and to a scholarly and working environment where people with varied backgrounds and perspectives can contribute and thrive.
• Experience with external engagement and development, such as industry partnerships, alumni outreach, and fundraising.

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida invites nominations and applications for the position of Professor and Department Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). Reporting to the Dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, the Chair will provide strategic, intellectual, and administrative leadership for an internationally visible research and education enterprise. The successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar and an effective organizational leader with a strong record of externally funded research who can substantially improve the department’s recognition and ranking, develop a clear vision for international impact and connect the department’s strengths to consequential opportunities for Florida and the world. The selected leader will join the Dean’s leadership team and will be expected to advance both the department and the college, contribute to university priorities, and engage constructively with the state, nation, and profession.

The Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) is the largest degree-granting unit at UF. The Department has nearly 60 faculty members, 500 graduate students and 3,100 undergraduates.  In 2025, annual research expenditures reached $28M with 15 active grants over $1 million. Among public universities, Aerospace Engineering is currently ranked No. 16 and Mechanical Engineering is currently ranked No. 21 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.   Traditional strengths in solid mechanics, design, thermal fluid systems, dynamics and controls are leveraged in interdisciplinary and cutting-edge efforts in autonomous systems, multiphase turbulent systems, novel energy systems, bioengineering, advanced manufacturing, computational science, and space systems. MAE is home to nearly 20 student societies and provides exceptional dedicated facilities and financial support for our student-led design/build/compete organizations that routinely capture top placement at national and international competitions.

In addition to overseeing the operational management of the Department, responsibilities of the Chair include: 

1. Creating a compelling vision for the advancement of the department that fosters cutting edge research within a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment and connects existing strengths to consequential opportunities.
2. Recruiting faculty and facilitating both the professional and scholarly growth of the faculty, particularly the junior faculty.
3. Ensuring a premier educational experience that fosters success of all trainees (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral and researchers).
4. Elevating the awareness of the department’s impact and enhancing the working partnerships with leaders of UF, government agencies, and industry.
5. Increasing sponsored research, private and external funding opportunities for the department.
6. Cultivating corporate, governmental, alumni and other private donations.
7. Ensuring an exceptional culture of collaboration, respect and continuous improvement for faculty, staff and students.

The Chair will have the opportunity to build upon MAE's substantial research and educational strengths, shape its future strategic directions, and work closely with college leadership to advance ambitious initiatives in faculty excellence, research, and education.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

• An earned doctorate in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
• A distinguished record of scholarship, education, mentoring, and professional contribution that merits appointment as a tenured full professor at the University of Florida.
• Evidence of successful leadership in a research-intensive university or comparably complex organization, including building collaborative, high-performing organizational cultures and developing faculty, staff, and emerging leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and articulate a compelling strategic vision to advance the reputation and ranking of the department by translating that vision into clear priorities, strategic investments and measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and expand sponsored research programs, including fostering collaborative research and advancing high-impact programs.
• Excellent communication, judgment, integrity, and relationship-building skills; ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and to a scholarly and working environment where people with varied backgrounds and perspectives can contribute and thrive.
• Experience with external engagement and development, such as industry partnerships, alumni outreach, and fundraising.

• Experience recruiting, mentoring, evaluating, and retaining faculty and staff across career stages and appointment types.
• Experience developing multidisciplinary initiatives, major collaborative proposals, centers, institutes, or other large-scale research activities.
• Experience building productive industry partnerships, including sponsored research, consortia, or public-private collaborations.
• Experience using industry engagement to strengthen education, experiential learning, workforce preparation, and research opportunities.
• The ability to identify emerging funding opportunities and organize faculty and external partners around them.
• Experience working with College and University leadership and across academic units.
• Experience in advancement, philanthropy, alumni engagement, or development of external resources.
• Professional leadership and service in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a related discipline.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to receive applications until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted through UFCareers at: https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/listing/ (Search Job 541797). Complete applications must include the following files in PDF format: (1) A cover letter describing the candidate's interest in the position, relevant academic leadership experience, and scholarly background; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of five professional references; (Additional required documents should be uploaded as one PDF to the “other documents” section in the application.);(4) a leadership vision statement of no more than 3 pages detailing your leadership approach, a preliminary vision for the department, and two or three strategic priorities the candidate would explore with the community.  Competitive candidates are expected to clearly complement the overall mission of the department and the college. The anticipated start date for this position is August 16, 2027. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026. Please direct questions about the position to Senior Associate Dean John M. Shea, Faculty Search Chair, email: jmshea@ufl.edu or Professor “Bala” Balachandar, Faculty Search Co-Chair, email: bala1s@ufl.edu.