William A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Build and sustain a world-class research program in the broad area of transportation systems (passenger and freight), while fostering collaborative research across Northwestern’s faculty.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels within the McCormick School of Engineering.
• Provide leadership for NUTC and strengthen the Center’s partnerships with the transportation industry through active engagement with the BAC.

About the Patterson Chair and the Northwestern University Transportation Center:

Established in 1978 in honor of William A. Patterson—a pioneer in commercial aviation, founder of United Airlines, and its president for 32 years—the Patterson Chair serves as the intellectual focal point for transportation research and education at Northwestern University. The Chair holder also directs Northwestern’s Transportation Center (NUTC), a multidisciplinary hub internationally recognized for more than seven decades of leadership in transportation research and education. Through its Business Advisory Council (BAC), NUTC connects Northwestern’s faculty and students with leaders across the nation’s transportation industry to advance innovative solutions for passenger and freight systems, inform public policy, and cultivate the next generation of transportation scholars and professionals.

Position Description And Qualifications:

The successful candidate must be a senior academician with an established reputation as a transportation scholar and demonstrated ability to develop and lead innovative research programs in this field. They must merit an appointment as a tenured full professor suitable for appointment within McCormick School of Engineering.

Application process:

To ensure timely consideration, applications should be received by 1/31/2026. Review will continue until the position is filled.

Compensation:

The expected base pay range for this position is $190,000 – $270,000. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment, does not include summer salary, and is subject to negotiation. Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal competitors; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits:

Northern University offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html.