Full Professor and Chair - Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska

Job Description:

Working Title:

Full Professor and Chair - Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department:

Electrical & Computer Engineering-1063

Requisition Number:

F_240157

Posting Open Date:

10/11/2024

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date):

12/02/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Description of Work:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Big Ten institution, (UNL) is seeking a visionary leader to serve as its next Department Chair. ECE is one of seven academic units in the College of Engineering (COE) and plays a critical role in the college's mission to deliver world-class education, develop Complete Engineers, and to foster cutting-edge research. The ECE department is poised for growth and will being significant investment over the next 5 years. We are seeking a leader who can capitalize on this opportunity and advance the department and college strategic plan.



Department Overview
The ECE department includes 41 faculty members, more than 500 undergraduate students, and nearly 100 graduate students. Faculty are engaged in a wide range of research areas, including high-tech computing, machine learning and AI, robotics, telecommunications, nanotechnology, biomedical applications, power and energy systems, and electromagnetics. With two ABET accredited undergraduate degree programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering, four graduate degree programs, as well as two interdisciplinary graduate degree programs, ECE has been a leader in the field since awarding its first electrical engineering degree in 1891.


The department spans two campuses-City Campus in Lincoln and the Scott Campus in Omaha. Faculty, staff and students across both campuses are overseen by the ECE Chair, who reports to the Dean of Engineering. ECE also benefits from newly renovated facilities in the Engineering Research Center (ERC), Kiewit Hall (KH), and the Scott Engineering Center (SEC) on the Lincoln and Omaha campuses, with space designed to support future innovation and collaboration.



College Growth
The ECE department plays a key role in advancing the COE's ambitious research goals, supported by cutting-edge facilities, including an $80M research building and a $115M engineering education building. ECE contributes to the college's record enrollment of 3,722 undergraduates, a 9.1% increase from Fall 2023. COE is dedicated to delivering a world-class engineering education, featured by its unique Complete Engineer® Program. Additionally, the UNL COE was one of the first three institutions in the nation to receive the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program Silver Award. We are seeking an innovative leader with a vision for growth and a strong commitment to advancing research, education, and inclusive excellence in the ECE department.



About UNL and Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is Nebraska's land-grant research university, is a member of the Big Ten, and ranks among Doctoral Universities with the Highest Research Activity [Carnegie CIHE]. As the state's flagship institution, UNL plays a key role in the research and innovation landscape of the region. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the third-largest city in the Big Ten Conference, UNL offers a vibrant, welcoming community with a strong economy and a high quality of life. Learn more about life in Lincoln at
https://placetobelnk.com/,
https://aboutlincoln.unl.edu/, and
https://www.lcoc.com/meet-lincoln.



Position Description
The Professor and Chair of the ECE Department serves as the academic leader and chief administrative officer, guiding the department's mission in research, teaching, service, and engagement. The Chair is responsible for advancing the department's success, relevance, and continuous improvement, ensuring the competitiveness of its graduates and the success of its faculty.


Key responsibilities include:

• Leading faculty recruitment, mentoring, and development


• Driving the continuous enhancement of departmental programs and initiatives


• Aligning departmental objectives with the College of Engineering's strategic vision


• Overseeing budget development and resource management


• Managing the assessment and accreditation of ECE programs in accordance with ABET requirements


• Ensuring the effectiveness and relevance of instructional and research activities


• Promoting engagement with alumni, donors, and industry partners


• Fostering the competitiveness of graduates and supporting faculty success through inclusive excellence, strategic initiatives, and community building

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See
https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.
Minimum Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with a distinguished record of teaching, research, and professional achievements appropriate for appointment at the rank of Full Professor with tenure.


• At least six years of demonstrated excellence in teaching and research, including significant leadership experience relevant to the role of Department Chair.

Preferred Qualifications:

We seek a leader who excels in a dynamic environment, effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a robust, long-standing research portfolio and a forward-thinking, collaborative, and results-driven approach, including:

• Experience in developing innovative curricula and a strong understanding of accreditation processes.


• A demonstrated commitment to student learning and fostering a culture that values inclusive excellence.


• Proven leadership abilities with a record of leading successful initiatives and managing change.


• Experience in consensus-building, with the ability to bring teams together and achieve significant tasks on time and within budget.


• A service-oriented approach with exceptional people management and communication skills, capable of inspiring faculty and staff toward common goals.

Work Location (City, State):

Lincoln, NE

Criminal History Background Check Required:

No

How to Apply:

Click "Apply for this Job" and complete the faculty information form. Attach the following documents:

1. A letter of interest highlighting your leadership experience and philosophy as well as your vision for leading the UNL ECE department.


2. Curriculum vitae.


3. A statement describing your research and scholarly activities, future directions, and broader impacts.


4. A statement describing your teaching and mentoring practices.


5. A statement of how your combined professional and academic experiences have equipped you to make a valuable contribution to Inclusive Excellence, a fundamental aspect of the COE Complete Engineer ® Program (
   https://engineering.unl.edu/complete-engineer/).


6. A list of at least five (5) professional references including contact information.

The statements (items 3, 4 and 5) together should total no more than seven (7) pages. Please combine them into a single document and attach as "Other Document."
For questions or accommodations related to this position contact:

Dr. Witty Srisa-an


witawas@unl.edu

Job Category (old):

Faculty Tenure/Tenure Leading

Job Type:

9 Month

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?:

No

Planned Hire Date:

08/18/2025

Organizational Location:

Default Location

Apply Now