Department Chair – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 077345

Syracuse University seeks an inspiring leader to chair the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) through a period of rapid growth and innovation. The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is embarking on a transformation that will result in a 50% growth in the number of faculty, staff, and undergraduate students, the development of internationally renowned research in areas of distinctive excellence, and the modernization of our rigorous curricular offerings over the next five years. This growth will fuel the local economy and emerging high-tech industry, and supply the workforce with the talent needed to power innovation and entrepreneurship in the area.

The new chair will work closely with the dean of the college and other university leadership, including the former EECS department chair, whose move to a new leadership role within the college created the vacancy for this position. The ideal hire for this position will leverage their comprehensive expertise and experience to advocate for the best interests of our diverse EECS community, including all students, alumni, staff, teaching faculty, and tenured/tenure-track faculty.

Required Qualifications:

Candidates must have an earned doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field and present evidence of credentials that merit appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure, including a distinguished research and academic record commensurate with the title.

Job Specific Qualifications:

Candidates with the following qualifications are desired:

• Bold vision for the future of the department and the ability to implement strategic initiatives.
• Proven leadership experience in an academic setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• The ability to build and support a world-class creative research team, and promote the development of innovative educational practices.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• The ability to nurture and sustain our collaborative and innovative departmental culture.
• A distinguished record of scholarly achievement, teaching excellence, or professional accomplishments in the relevant field.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

 Responsibilities:

The chair will lead the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), which is the largest department within the College of Engineering & Computer Science (ECS). The department comprises 28 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 14 full-time teaching faculty, and seven staff members serving over 600 undergraduates and over 700 graduate students. EECS has three ABET-accredited undergraduate programs (Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science), five Master’s programs (Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Operations Research & Systems Analytics), and two Ph.D. programs (Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Computer & Information Science & Engineering).

EECS boasts an interdisciplinary and effective blend of theory and practice that is reflected in our research, our collaborations within the University and with industry, and our curricula. Active areas of research focus include signal processing and communications, cybersecurity and secure systems, electromagnetics and photonics, embedded systems, quantum computing, artificial intelligence and data mining, green computing, and sustainable power systems.

The new department chair is expected to:

• Actively work with faculty in the department and across the university to achieve excellence in scholarly and sponsored research, education, and service, and to expand interdisciplinary collaborations, while promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Provide leadership in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining a diverse and excellent faculty and student body.
• Be an advocate and spokesperson for the department both within the College and University and to external stakeholders including local communities, industries, and state and federal government/agencies.
• Effectively articulate the vision and roadmap of the department to alumni, department advisory board, and other constituencies.
• Ensure effective departmental processes to maintain accreditation (ABET and Middle States) and continuous improvement of program curricula.
• Evaluate faculty and staff performance, and make recommendations for tenure, promotion, reappointment, salary adjustment, and leaves of absence.

About ECS:

The College of Engineering and Computer Science has developed a strategic plan, under the leadership of Dean J. Cole Smith, with a bold vision to develop distinctive research excellence in emerging computing technologies, advanced manufacturing, resilient systems and infrastructure for natural and built environments, materials engineering for emergent applications, and engineering for the well-being of humans and humanity. The plan also aims to achieve educational excellence and student success through real-world experiential education, innovative curricula and responsive programs, and multi-faceted student support and global educational experience. Implementing the strategic plan will position ECS as a premier college in engineering and computer science, characterized by signature research and educational programs embedded with the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, that yield distinctive local and global impact.

Application Instructions:

For full consideration, candidates must complete an online application https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/101772 and upload:

• A detailed cover letter describing interest in the position and addressing the desired qualifications for this role.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position may be sent to the Chair of the search committee, Professor Julie Hasenwinkel, at jmhasenw@syr.edu.

 About Syracuse University | Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area | Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement | Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans | Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community | Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.