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Michigan State University

Department Chairperson, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Snapshot

Are you ready to shape the future of Electrical and Computer Engineering at a premier land-grant institution? Michigan State University invites bold and strategic academic leaders to apply for Chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering—a thriving hub of innovation and impact.

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as Chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) in the College of Engineering. We invite applications and nominations from distinguished educators and scholars ready to shape the future of electrical and computer engineering at MSU. This leadership role offers the opportunity to drive innovation, foster academic excellence, and guide a collaborative team dedicated to groundbreaking research and education. As an integral member of the College’s academic leadership, the Chairperson will oversee departmental operations and help define the future of research excellence. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

Outstanding candidates with interests and a demonstrated background in electrical and computer engineering or a closely related discipline are encouraged to apply. Applicants must:

• Hold an earned Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline relevant to Electrical and Computer Engineering.


• Be qualified for the appointment at the rank of Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.


• Demonstrate a strong record of academic distinction, including impactful teaching, service, scholarly publications, and success in securing external research funding.


• Provide evidence of: 
  
  
  
  • Scientific and organizational leadership
  
  
  • Educational innovation
  
  
  • Outstanding communication and management abilities
  
  
  • A strong commitment to broad-based academic excellence, accessibility, and professional integrity
  
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of leadership experience, strategic vision, and a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and creating an open, welcoming academic environment, as reflected in the following preferred qualifications:

• Lead with administrative effectiveness, integrity, and strategic focus.


• Manage diverse, multidisciplinary teams emphasizing mentorship and collaborative leadership.


• Guide the department in strategic planning, curriculum development, and maintaining accreditation standards.


• Cultivate external relationships and donor support to advance the department’s long-term goals.


• Demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive issues calmly and constructively, fostering a culture of professionalism, stability, and trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide collaborative and strategic leadership for all departmental operations, personnel, and resources.


• Recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, and foster professional development with transparency and empathy.


• Foster a culture of trust, recognition, and shared purpose by valuing and supporting the essential contributions of support staff.


• Drive innovation in research, education, and service across the department.


• Collaborate with other department chairs and the Dean’s Office as part of the College of Engineering’s leadership team to support institutional growth.


• Represent the department to the academic community, industry, and government partners.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers strong interdisciplinary research and educational programs, built on a foundation of core electrical and computer engineering disciplines. It provides first-class education while engaging in research at the frontiers of knowledge. The Department has 44 faculty members, including 14 IEEE Fellows, 14 NSF CAREER, 3 DARPA YFA, one AFOSR YIP awardee, and five University Distinguished Faculty members. The Department has strong research programs in all major areas of electrical and computer engineering, with annual research expenditures of about $19.78 million. Faculty in the Department are leading several federal and industry-supported centers, including the Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest (CMW). The Department has accredited B.S. degree programs in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. The current enrollment is approximately 200 full-time graduate students and 860 undergraduate students.  For additional information about the ECE Department, please visit https://ece.msu.edu/.

College of Engineering

Advancing, disseminating, and applying engineering knowledge has been the focus of the MSU College of Engineering for more than 130 years.  The mission of the MSU College of Engineering is to deliver high-quality engineering graduates, cutting-edge research, and innovative technology that benefits society both locally and globally.  The college carries out its mission through educational and research programs across eight departments, tackling interdisciplinary themes such as computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability, with annual research expenditures totaling $71 million. Research is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, with themes spanning eight departments in the college and an extensive network of collaborators in other colleges and research organizations. The college and its departments have a strong track record of mentoring junior faculty to advance their academic careers successfully.

Michigan State University

MSU is an R1 University and enjoys a park-like campus with some outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 541,000.  Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. Michigan State University is proactive in exploring employment opportunities for dual-career couples, both within and outside the University. Information about MSU’s dual-career support can be found at Dual Career Support | Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs | Michigan State University.

Are you ready to shape the future of electrical and computer engineering? Join a community driven by discovery, innovation, and impact at one of the nation’s premier research universities. At MSU, your leadership can help transform lives and push the boundaries of science and technology.

Application Materials

To apply, please submit the following materials at http://careers.msu.edu (Posting #1069015) by October 15, 2025, for full consideration:

• Curriculum Vitae – A detailed CV including a complete list of publications, funding history, and mentees.

• Cover Letter – A summary of qualifications and leadership approach, including leadership roles and accomplishments, budgetary and administrative experience, and strategies for supporting and supervising staff in an academic department.

• Research Statement – A summary of past research accomplishments and future goals, including contributions to the department’s research and educational missions. Applicants may describe how their work addresses broad challenges and fosters meaningful participation through collaboration, outreach, or mentorship.

• Teaching Statement – An overview of instructional and mentorship experience, focusing on creating a supportive and responsive learning environment through adaptable methods and fair, student-centered engagement.

• Vision Statement – A statement outlining the candidate’s vision for departmental growth and strategic direction. This should include plans to enhance research excellence, support faculty and staff development, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and align with the university’s land-grant mission to serve the state, nation, and global community.

• References – Names and contact information for five professional references.

Special Instructions for Applicants

For full consideration, applications should be received by October 15, 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and questions are welcome and may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Ming Han, at mhan@egr.msu.edu