Chair and Professor-Industrial and Management Systems Engineering

About the role

The Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) at the University of South Florida (USF) invites applications for the position of Department Chair. This position offers a leadership opportunity in one of the nation’s rapidly rising industrial engineering departments at a top-50 public research university.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and effective management of departmental operations.
• Promote a strong research culture aligned with the College’s reputation for scholarly impact.
• Advance excellence in teaching across all programs.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain talented faculty and staff.
• Manage resources and budgets effectively.
• Strengthen relationships with industry partners, alumni, and donors.
• Collaborate with other department chairs and college leadership.

Requirements

• Eligibility for appointment as at least a tenured associate professor, with a clear path to promotion to full professor soon after appointment, in an Industrial Engineering department at a Carnegie R1 institution.
• A doctoral degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited research institution.
• Demonstrated understanding of the industrial engineering discipline and community.
• Proven leadership experience in higher education administration.
• Commitment to high-quality pedagogy and student development.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Tenured associate professor with a clear path to full professor, doctoral degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field, understanding of the industrial engineering discipline and community, proven leadership experience in higher education administration, and commitment to high-quality pedagogy and student development.
• Preferred qualifications: Eligibility for appointment as a tenured full professor, commitment to fostering a collegial and supportive departmental culture, demonstrated availability, responsiveness, punctuality, and excellent communication skills, proven ability to develop and sustain enduring relationships with industry, academic partners, alumni, donors, and sponsors, strong record of leadership in securing competitive and significant research funding, strong record of scholarship with publications in top-tier journals and conferences in industrial engineering research areas, longstanding engagement in mentoring faculty, students, and staff, proven leadership in recruiting, program development, team building, and staff supervision, and effective budget management practices in consultation with faculty and staff.

Application

To apply, submit a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position with respect to the above job description, a detailed curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least four professional references who can speak to scholarly achievements, leadership abilities, and administrative experience. The application must also include a statement of leadership philosophy, interests, and strategic vision, as well as a statement describing current research and future research plans. The cover letter should be addressed to Dr. Manjriker Gunaratne, Search Committee Chair, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, Florida, 33620. Review of applications will begin on December 5, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must electronically submit the application packet as one PDF file to this advertisement.

About Us

Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application/interview process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.