Department Chair, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Job Description

The Opportunity

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, invites applications and nominations for Department Chair. The EECS Department enrolls over 400 bachelors, masters, and PhD students and houses over 20 full-time faculty members who are fully engaged in the teaching and research mission of the College and University.

As part of our values, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. We actively celebrate colleagues’ different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.

Successful applicants should share the college’s commitment to an inclusive, inviting, and collaborative community, demonstrate the ability to lead a complex multi-disciplinary department that leads multiple research centers across campus, such as the Center for Aerospace Resilience (CAR), the Cybersecurity and Assured Systems Engineering (CyBASE) center, the FAA Center of Excellence in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ASSURE), as well as large externally-funded programs, such as NSF Revolutionizing the Engineering Department (RED), NSF CyberCorps® Scholarships for Service (SFS), and NSF Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM). Successful applicants should be cognizant of the unique challenges and opportunities in teaching afforded by a department that offers a Ph.D. program in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; M.S. programs in Cybersecurity Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Engineering; and B.S. programs in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Software Engineering.

As a tenured faculty member in the COE, the successful candidate will maintain an exemplary level of research and scholarly activity. They will have demonstrated leadership skills, including project management, development of personnel, strategic planning, and budget management. The position also requires an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituents as a team member of the department, college, and university. Additionally, candidates should have experience with a broad range of innovative methods of instruction and assessment. The ideal candidate will have a clear vision for supporting the growth of the EECS Department.

In addition to the facilities and labs in the Lehman Engineering and Technology Center of the College of Engineering, a 50,000 square foot Engineering Center, the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex (MicaPlex), is now established as research space for the COE and is an anchor building in the University’s research park, featuring state-of-the-art research labs, incubation, and accelerator spaces. A new Cray supercomputer has recently been acquired, and a new world class subsonic research wind tunnel has just been commissioned.

Diversity

Embry-Riddle values diversity: We respect the rights and property of all individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, physical disability, economic background, sexual orientation, or religious belief. We believe in a community where all members are welcome, and individuals or groups are free from harassment. We strongly encourage individuals from populations traditionally underrepresented and underserved in STEM – women, Blacks, Latinx, Native Americans, persons of all gender identities and/or sexual orientation – to apply.

Equal Opportunity

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, handicap, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Institutional Overview

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an independent, culturally diverse institution providing quality education and research in aviation, aerospace, engineering, and other related fields with residential campuses located in Daytona Beach - Florida, Prescott - Arizona, and Singapore, as well as a Worldwide campus that provides educational opportunities online and at approximately 130 locations throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and Central/South America.

As the largest and most comprehensive aviation and aerospace-focused university in the world, Embry-Riddle is a unique institution. Over the past 90 years, the University has evolved with industry to break new ground and produce top-level graduates who serve the ever-changing needs of aviation and aerospace and other STEM-related disciplines. Embry-Riddle offers programs in seven primary fields of study including: Applied Science; Aviation; Business; Computers and Technology; Engineering; Safety, Security, and Intelligence; and Space.

For Academic Year 2020-21, there were over 10,700 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students that attended the University's residential campuses and approximately 32,700 students in total enrolled with the University around the world. Known for its Aerospace and Aviation focus, the College of Engineering (COE) in the Daytona Beach Campus has a total enrollment of over 3,300 students, over 100 full-time faculty members, and enjoys top rankings and a national reputation. The COE houses departments of Aerospace Engineering (AE), Civil Engineering (CE), Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Engineering Fundamentals (EF), and Mechanical Engineering (ME), and offers the full spectrum of academic programs including Bachelors of Science, Masters of Science, and Doctoral degrees.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a closely related field, have an outstanding record of securing external funding from a diverse set of agencies and industry and be committed to teaching excellence. Experience in aerospace, aviation, defense, software development, and related industries is valued. Candidates must have excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.

Application Process and Additional Information

Consideration of applications will begin November 2022 and will continue until the position is filled; the expected start date is August 2023. Applications should include a current CV and a detailed letter discussing experience, academic qualifications, and background that demonstrate strong alignment with EECS and the position. Selected candidates will be required to secure three professional references as part of the review process. Application materials should be submitted electronically through the Embry-Riddle Careers Website. Questions can be directed via email to Dr. James Pembridge, Search Committee Chair, at pembridj@erau.edu .