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Department ChairThe College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE).
The department seeks an accomplished individual with a record of leadership and scholarly, professional, and administrative achievement to advance our mission of excellence in research, education, and service, while fostering a safe and collaborative environment. The successful candidate will lead efforts to enhance the department’s national and international prominence, grow externally funded research, strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations, further our strong tradition of hands-on experiential education, and expand our undergraduate, MS, and PhD programs.
The Chair serves as the chief administrative officer of the department and is responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, hiring, resource management, and fundraising in support of department goals, as well as fostering faculty, staff, and student success. The Chair serves as the primary liaison between the department and the rest of the University and external constituents and is expected to foster collaborations both internal and external to the University that advance the department’s mission.
Michigan Tech is one of four Carnegie-classified R1 institutions in Michigan. The university provides its graduates with an extremely high return on investment through its academic rigor and focus on experiential learning. Located in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula’s Anishinaabe/Ojibwe lands in Houghton, Michigan on the south shore of Lake Superior, the university also provides a high standard of living. The community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities.
Among the nation’s public colleges and universities, Michigan Tech was named No. 2 on the list of Best Schools for Internships, No. 9 for Best Career Placement and No. 18 for Best Schools for Financial Aid. In the Best Value Colleges category, solely based on return on investment, or ROI, Michigan Tech was ranked No. 33.
The College of Engineering (COE) is the largest college at the university, with nine departments, including CEGE, offering 49 degree programs across engineering fields—biomedical, chemical, electrical, civil, environmental, geological, manufacturing, materials, and mechanical—as well as several new programs created in response to the accelerating pace of technology, including aerospace engineering, robotics, and manufacturing engineering. Demand for COE programs is strong and growing, with more than 4,200 students currently enrolled in the college.
The CEGE department includes 32 faculty, seven professional staff, more than 125 graduate students, and over 600 undergraduate students, with robust research and teaching programs spanning infrastructure resilience, intelligent and reconfigurable structures, advanced and automated construction, environmental and public health, sustainable water infrastructure and environmental systems, transportation and mobility, geospatial analytics, and climate adaptation.
Applicants must have earned a PhD degree in Civil, Environmental, or Geospatial Engineering, or a closely related field. Michigan Tech places a strong emphasis on balancing cutting-edge research with effective teaching. Candidates for the position of Department Chair are expected to demonstrate potential for excellence in administrative activities, independent research, and teaching, as well as the ability to contribute service to their department and profession, and a demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of safety and promoting it through actions, communication, and training.
Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting faculty members’ partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews will be invited to bring a guest. Additional details can be found on our Partner Engagement website. Michigan Tech is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Applicants can find the full job posting and are required to submit their application at the link below: https://www.employment.mtu.edu/en-us/job/494056
Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before December 1, 2025. Packages will be reviewed as they are received, with the position to begin July 1, 2026.
Applicants should provide the following documents (Each document must not exceed two pages in length, with the exception of the CV):
Cover letter describing interest in the position and relevant experience and qualifications (2-page maximum)
Curriculum Vitae
Statement on vision, leadership/management, and the future of Civil, Environmental, or Geospatial Engineering research and education (2-page maximum)
Statement of research (2-page maximum)
Statement of teaching (2-page maximum)
Names of at least three professional references (references will only be contacted if the candidate is invited for an on-site interview)
We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty and staff who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a learning environment based on respect for all and academic excellence are strongly encouraged to apply. For any questions, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Pengfei Xue, at cegechairsearch@mtu.edu
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
