Electrical and Computer Engineering - Department Chair

About the role

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE), in the College of Engineering at Iowa State University (ISU), invites applications for the Palmer Department Chair position. The endowed department chair will be responsible for the scope and effectiveness of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department's teaching, research, and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities

• Exemplary record of achievement in teaching, research, and service in a university, national laboratory, or industry at a level sufficient to qualify for appointment as a tenured Full Professor
• Demonstrated ability to lead others to execute a shared vision
• Budget and personnel management experience
• Experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship
• Experience directing successful interdisciplinary programs in education and research

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent qualifications in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a closely related field
• Exemplary record of achievement in research, teaching, and service

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead others to execute a shared vision
• Budget and personnel management experience
• Experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship
• Experience directing successful interdisciplinary programs in education and research

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent qualifications in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a closely related field
• Exemplary record of achievement in research, teaching, and service in a university, national laboratory, or industry at a level sufficient to qualify for appointment as a tenured Full Professor

Skills

• Strong communication and team-building skills
• Ability to lead others by fostering a collegial environment
• A commitment to academic excellence
• A proven professional leadership record
• An appreciation for university-industry collaborations, technology transfer, and intellectual property management

Benefits

• Commitment to the department's outreach activities and interactions with external stakeholders
• Motivation of others toward a shared vision

Pay

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000 per year.

Schedule

The position is a 09 month work period.

Contact Information

To apply, please submit the following documents in PDF format:

• A letter of application that briefly discusses how you meet each of the preferred qualifications
• A curriculum vitae
• A statement of leadership philosophy that includes your vision for the future of the department
• Contact information for at least three references, including name, current title and affiliation, mailing address, email address and phone number

Department/Program & College Description

About the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) Department The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is home to world-class faculty, state-of-the-art research facilities, and nationally recognized academic programs. The department offers ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in electrical engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, and cybersecurity engineering, as well as MEng, MS, and PhD degrees in electrical, computer, and cybersecurity engineering. The department is comprised of 44 full-time tenured/tenure-track faculty, 12 non-tenure eligible teaching faculty and 6 non-tenure eligible research faculty, 29 staff members, and approximately 1727 undergraduate and 322 graduate students. Departmental annual research expenditures were in excess of $18.5 million in 2025. With a strong culture of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry partnership, the department leads transformative work in power and energy systems, cybersecurity, communications, controls, and emerging technologies. ECpE supports a vibrant community of students, researchers, and industry partners committed to solving real-world challenges and advancing the technologies that power our future.

College of Engineering Description

The Iowa State University College of Engineering offers prestigious programs that inspire future engineering leaders, pursue groundbreaking research, transform technology to make a difference, and create solutions that make Iowa and the world a better place. Engineering is the largest college on campus with more than 8,600 students, 540 faculty and staff, 15 undergraduate majors, 20 doctoral and 25 master's degree programs, multiple research centers and programs, and 13 state-of-the-art buildings that comprise the engineering complex. The College of Engineering consists of eight departments with annual research expenditures exceeding $130 million.

Application Instructions

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications should be received by August 15, 2026 with a priority consideration of September 1, 2026. The following documents are required to be submitted in PDF format:

• A letter of application that briefly discusses how you meet each of the preferred qualifications
• A curriculum vitae
• A statement of leadership philosophy that includes your vision for the future of the department
• Contact information for at least three references, including name, current title and affiliation, mailing address, email address and phone number

Contact Information

To inquire about the position or to submit a nomination, please contact:

• Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
• Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner
• Buffkin / Baker
• Email: isuecechair@buffkinbaker.com

Equal Opportunity

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, creed, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.