CHAIR, NA&ME

About the role

The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA&ME) within the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan invites applications for the position of Department Chair. Established with its first course offerings in 1881, the department holds a distinguished 145‑year legacy as the first program of its kind nationwide, the last remaining stand‑alone NA&ME department at an R1 institution offering undergraduate through graduate studies, and is regarded as the premier naval architecture program in the United States. The department comprises 13 tenured and tenure‑track faculty, 2 full‑time and 2 adjunct professors of practice, 7 research scientists, 84 undergraduate students, and 81 graduate students, supported by an annual research budget exceeding ten million dollars. Research activities span ship design, ship production and management; dynamics and controls; hydrodynamics; marine and offshore structures; marine renewable energy; robotics and autonomy; structural and hydro‑acoustics; and yacht design. Further information is available at name.engin.umich.edu.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support faculty to ensure high‑quality learning flourishes at all levels.
• Engage collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and industry partners to advance the department's unique position in the field.
• Exhibit visionary leadership abilities and an appreciation for the diverse sub‑disciplines within the department.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to expanding sponsored research programs and mentoring faculty.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in naval architecture, marine engineering, or a closely aligned field; or a degree in a broader engineering discipline with a central, sustained record of scholarly impact specifically anchored in maritime systems or marine applications.
• Exemplary record of achievement in research, teaching, and service at a level commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor.
• Visionary leadership abilities.
• Appreciation for the diverse sub‑disciplines within the department.
• Strong commitment to expanding sponsored research programs and mentoring faculty.

Schedule

Positions eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode at the discretion of the hiring department; work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and subject to change.