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The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next director. This is an on-site leadership role; the anticipated start date is summer 2026.

The Robotics Institute (Institute) is a global leader in robotics research and education. With an annual research base of approximately $73 million, Institute faculty and students conduct cutting-edge research in critical areas such as autonomous systems, human-robot interaction, and artificial intelligence. The institute was established in 1979 to conduct basic and applied research in robotics technologies relevant to industrial and societal tasks. Seeking to combine the practical and the theoretical, it has diversified its efforts and approaches to robotics science while retaining its original goal of realizing the potential of the robotics field. The institute is one of the seven academic departments within CMU's School of Computer Science.

Reporting to Dr. Martial Hebert, dean of the School of Computer Science, the director will advance the Institute's mission to drive interdisciplinary research, education, and innovation in robotics. The director will oversee strategic planning, industry and government partnerships, research development, faculty recruitment, academic programming, and operational management. The director manages a talented leadership team of four associate directors and oversees a $112 million budget, which includes a $73 million research base. The position includes a faculty appointment at the rank of full professor with teaching, research, and service responsibilities and requires commensurate distinguished teaching, research, and/or scholarship experience.

Qualifications
Minimum requirements for the director of the Robotics Institute include an earned doctorate in robotics or a closely related field; a demonstrated record of research excellence and productivity, evidenced by high-quality publications, peer-reviewed extramural funding, and leadership in research initiatives; teaching and other educational contributions at the graduate and/or undergraduate levels; leadership in interdisciplinary research initiatives; progressive administrative experience leading large teams and projects; and productive academic leadership and service.

Application and Nomination
Carnegie Mellon University has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with conducting this search. Review of applications will begin Monday, December 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a CV/resume and cover letter via https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/director-of-the-robotics-institute/.

• Contact Michel R. Frendian, practice leader and senior consultant, at mrf@spelmanjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.


• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Visit the Robotics Institute website at ri.cmu.edu/.

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and Carnegie Mellon University is required not to discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or other federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.









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