Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_onGreater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1207, North Jefferson Street, Tampa Heights, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, 33602, United States
About the Department
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at the University of South Florida (USF) invites applications for the position of Chair, effective August 2026. Established in 1964, the department is a dynamic and rapidly growing unit with 31 faculty members offering B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in both Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
The department thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration, working closely with colleagues across the College of Engineering and other USF colleges, including Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Marine Science, Education, Nursing, and Public Health. MAE maintains strong partnerships with several USF research centers, such as the Nanotechnology Research and Education Center, Center for Urban Transportation Research, Center for Assistive Rehabilitation & Robotics Technologies, Clean Energy Research Center, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, and Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research.
About the College and University
The College of Engineering, led by Dean Levi Thompson, is ranked #56 among public institutions (#89 overall) by U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 engineering graduate school rankings. The college serves more than 3,500 students across seven ABET-accredited bachelor's programs, nine master's, and seven doctoral degrees. With 12 major research centers and institutes, the college is actively engaged in local and global research focused on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology, and transportation, generating $46.9 million in research expenditures for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
USF is a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and community engagement, generating an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Serving approximately 50,000 students from nearly 150 countries across its Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses, USF has been ranked as one of the nation's top 50 public universities for four consecutive years. In 2023, USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities.
The Role
This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a vibrant department. The successful candidate will serve as a strategic leader, articulating a vision to elevate USF MAE's internationally recognized research efforts, excellence in education, and engagement with federal, industrial, and community partners. The Chair will work closely with faculty and partners throughout the College of Engineering and the University to strengthen and expand programs, advancing a strategic vision of excellence in engineering education, high-impact research, and professional leadership that serves global development.
The role requires a collaborative leadership style capable of building consensus while managing activities such as recruiting, program development, mentorship, team-building, and staff supervision. The Chair will be expected to foster an environment that supports the successful career progression of students, staff, and junior faculty.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a single PDF file containing the following materials to Oracle Recruitment:
- A cover letter outlining interest and qualifications, addressed to Dr. Vinay Gupta, Search Committee Chair.
- A detailed curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for at least four professional references capable of speaking to both scholarly achievements and administrative experience.
- A statement of leadership philosophy, interests, and strategic vision.
- A statement describing current research and future research plans.
Review of applications will begin on January 12, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. The search committee is looking for a leader who can articulate a vision to continue elevating the department's vibrant and internationally recognized research efforts.
Similar Job Opportunities
Skills, education and keywords
Skills: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Pedagogy, Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Computing Technology, Transportation, Sustainability, Abet.
Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related discipline required.
Frequently asked questions about Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of South Florida - School of Social Work
What does a Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of South Florida - School of Social Work do?expand_more
In this Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of South Florida - School of Social Work role, you will shape the strategic vision for engineering education, research, and professional leadership; strengthen and expand mechanical and aerospace engineering programs; mentor students, staff, and junior faculty to support career progression; and collaborate with faculty and partners across the college of engineering and university.
What are the requirements for this Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering role?expand_more
To qualify for the Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of South Florida - School of Social Work position, applicants should have: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related discipline; Qualification for appointment as tenured full professor; Record of leadership in recruiting, program development, mentorship, team-building, and staff supervision; Internationally recognized scholarship profile; Commitment to high-quality pedagogy and student development; and Significant record of leadership in professional institutes and societies.