Margaret F. Donovan Chair for Women in Engineering

University of Akron

The Margaret F. Donovan Chair for Women in Engineering

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Akron in their search for the Margaret F. Donovan Chair for Women in Engineering faculty position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank beginning in August 2023.

For best consideration, please apply by October 5th.

The faculty member recruited as the Margaret F. Donovan Chair is expected to have a strong track record of leadership in biomedical engineering as demonstrated by a commitment to teaching, research, and service to their institution. The ideal candidate is a strong academic role model, change agent, and passionate advocate committed to the education and promotion of girls and women in engineering.

The holder of the Donovan Chair will encourage women enrolled in the University of Akron undergraduate and graduate engineering programs to undertake and complete engineering degrees. The Chair holder will work to generate interest in studying math and science among female elementary and high school students, as well as support programs to achieve this end.

This tenure-track position is an open position available to postdoctoral fellows, assistant, associate, or full professors. This position reports to the Department Chair.

Qualifications:

• Open to postdoctoral fellows, assistant, associate, or full professors
• Strong and demonstrated history of supporting women in engineering programs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates with a biomedical engineering or background in biomedical materials or related fields
• Proven history as a change agent
• National experience and reputation

About Margaret F. Donovan

Established in 2001 and revised in 2021, the Margaret F. Donovan Chair for Women in Engineering creates a faculty position designed to achieve equity for women in engineering and education careers. The Margaret F. Donovan Chair for Women in Engineering (Donovan Chair) is the first of its kind established in the U.S. Mrs. Donovan and The University of Akron College of Engineering and Polymer Science believe that the establishment of the permanent Donovan Chair will level the playing field and make engineering education more accessible for women. 

An educator by profession, Margaret F. Donovan believes that education is the pathway to betterment and success. A staunch advocate for recognizing hard work, combined with her unique window into the challenges women in the engineering field face, Mrs. Donovan has taken decisive action to promote gender equity in engineering education and careers in the U.S. 

As one of five daughters from a family of modest means, Mrs. Donovan came to the early understanding that education was often the difference between those who succeeded and those who faced continual hardship. In her own life, she was the first member of her family to complete a college education. 

Following graduation, Mrs. Donovan taught for three years before having children, then periodically for a total of 10 years in teaching and counseling. Together with her husband, the late Robert E. Donovan, she continued to make education a priority in raising her children. Following Mr. Donovan's death in 1996 and reflecting the family's long held faith in the power of education, she established The Robert E. Donovan Scholarship Fund (Donovan Scholarship) at The University of Akron. The scholarship supports women in engineering, business, and law, recognizing that women are not equally represented in some professional fields. 

About the Institution 

The University of Akron (UA) is among Ohio’s most influential public urban research universities, conducting high quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce in highly trained diverse disciplines.  UA offers over 16,000 students a wide variety of in-demand associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs.  UA is a STEM-intensive institution, which has strong connections with industries including polymers, advanced materials, and engineering.  UA brings together a group of diverse learners, including full-time, part-time, on-line, veterans and adult students.  Students are enrolled across five colleges: 1) College of Engineering and Polymer Science, 2) Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, 3) College of Business, 4) Law and 5) College of Health and Human Sciences. In addition, students are served by several branch campuses.   

About the College of Engineering and Polymer Science

The College of Engineering and Polymer Science has been engineering excellence since 1913. Since then, they have grown to expand their world-class engineering, engineering technology, and computing degree programs and are the #1 ranked polymer science and polymer engineering school in the world. University of Akron students dream it, design it, and build it. Learn more at https://uakron.edu/engineering/

The College has nearly 120 faculty with approximately 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students with research active programs. The College boasts the fifth oldest co-op program in the nation with award winning student design teams.

Living in the Area 

With a population of nearly 200,000, Akron is perfect for those looking for a city with a small-town feel. With more than 20 distinct neighborhoods, the city offers residents a wide array of benefits including a vibrant downtown, delicious dining, diverse and thriving arts and cultural scene, outdoor activities, including the Sand Run Metro Park with over 41 miles of hiking trails and Towpath Trail with 87 miles of Ohio’s most scenic countryside and numerous small lakes. The city is further supported by public transportation, including buses, Amtrak, and the Akron-Canton Airport. Akron enjoys a cost of living 30.5% below the national average.  

Akron is only 40 minutes from Cleveland, 30 minutes from Canton and about two hours from both Columbus and Pittsburgh. The city has a strong pro-business climate and is strategically located to promote opportunities. Akron is the corporate home to numerous companies and its largest employer, Summa Health Systems, provides jobs to nearly 11,000 people.  

To Apply  

For best consideration, please apply by October 5th.

You may apply directly at Link: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyj7fhv

Please do not email your application materials. Only applications submitted through the link will be accepted.  

Materials should include a cover letter and CV.  

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially: 

Inquiries and questions should be sent to akronendowedchair@acesrch.com

Nominations should be sent to nominations@acesrch.com  

The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees.  The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus.  As such, the University will require a pre-employment background check and proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all applicants selected for employment. 

Effective December 13, 2021, new hires must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, if vaccines are available and the employee is eligible, at time of hire. If a new employee is not fully vaccinated at the time of hire, the offer of employment will be contingent upon the employee becoming fully vaccinated within 60 days of hire, unless a qualifying medical or religious exemption is granted.

As a result of the federal government’s Executive order 14042, the University is no longer able to accept/approve an exemption from the University’s vaccine requirement for reasons of conscience. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The University of Akron, as an equal education and employment institution, is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified individuals in its education programs or activities, including applicants for admissions or employment, will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military status or status as a veteran. To further this commitment, the University complies with state and federal laws which prohibit discrimination. Questions or concerns about the administration of this commitment can be directed to the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office (uakron.edu/hr/eeoaa). 

The University also strives to provide an environment free from the negative impacts of gender-based discrimination and harassment as prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Questions about Title IX can be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education or both. For more information on Title IX at the University of Akron, including how to contact the Title IX Coordinator, how to file a complaint under Title IX with the University or the Title IX process at the University of Akron, please visit the University’s Title IX page at uakron.edu/title-ix/at-uakron.