About the Opportunity
The College of Engineering at Northeastern University invites applications and nominations for the position of Professor and Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. We are seeking candidates with demonstrated outstanding leadership and a clear vision for the future for civil and environmental engineering to lead the department to the next level of excellence.
About the Department
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (https://cee.northeastern.edu) at Northeastern University is a vibrant, successful, and growing academic enterprise committed to preparing students for professional leadership, advancing the frontiers of civil and environmental engineering through interdisciplinary research, and engaging with communities to promote sustainable solutions to important societal problems and global challenges. The department currently has 45 faculty (39 tenured/tenure-track, 2 research faculty, 4 teaching professors) of which 15 have joint appointments with other colleges in departments as diverse as Marine and Environmental Sciences (an important partner with most of these joint appointments), Health Sciences, Computer Science, History, and Architecture. The faculty pursue use-inspired research in critical problems in areas such as structures, urban coastal systems, urban transportation and mobility, construction management, air quality, wind energy, water quality, environmental health, resilience, sustainability and climate change, life cycle assessment, and green infrastructure, with strengths in smart sensing, data and network science, simulation, urban informatics, AI and robotics. The research activities, with over $12 million in annual awards, are funded by a variety of federal agencies (including NSF, DOE, DOD, NIH), industrial partners, municipal and state agencies, and foundations. Several research centers and center-scale university initiatives are also housed in the department. The department is advised by a 20-member industry advisory board and engages regularly with a thriving alumni association.
The department is a collegial and energetic home for more than 450 undergraduate, 125 MS, and 80 PhD students. To support diverse student interests and career paths, the department offers several graduate degree and certificate programs, including the recently introduced interdisciplinary MS in Climate Science and Engineering (jointly conferred with the College of Science) and is launching an MS program in Toronto, part of Northeastern’s growing global university network. Undergraduate majors include Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and combined majors with Computer Science and Data Science, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, and Health Science. The department embraces Northeastern’s experiential learning and world-leading cooperative program in educating the next generation of civil and environmental engineers, with nearly 95% of the undergraduate students integrating co-op assignments with over 100 companies and organizations into their educational plans.
Responsibilities
The department chair will provide the strategic vision for the nurturing of research foci, the development of educational curricula and launching of new initiatives within the global network, as well as the continued recruitment of world class faculty. Within the University, the chair is expected to be a strong advocate for the department’s academic and research goals. The chair will also serve as the department’s ambassador to academic and professional organizations and public and private agencies at the local, regional, national, and international levels. By working effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment within the department, college, and networked campuses, the chair is expected to: promote scholarly initiatives; facilitate internal and external research collaborations; develop relationships with industrial partners; build strategic educational initiatives; facilitate the recruitment of students; support the university’s strategic growth across multiple campuses through research, teaching, and hiring priorities; promote professional growth of faculty and staff; lead fund-raising for departmental activities and scholarships; promote corporate and alumni relations; and advance efforts supporting diversity and inclusion.
Requirements
Candidates are expected to be at the rank of full professor and have a proven record of leadership, management, mentorship, research and teaching, and a strategic vision for the future of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
- Candidates should have a well-established, nationally and internationally recognized research program, with a strong record of externally-funded research.
- Candidates should have demonstrated excellence and significant teaching experience, with a commitment to high-quality teaching and interest in advancing educational programs and teaching modalities in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Candidates should have demonstrated leadership experience in academic administration and a distinguished record of service.
- A doctorate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering or closely related field of science and engineering is required by the employment start date.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to apply
Applicants should submit:
- Cover letter expressing their interest in the position and a summary of their qualifications;
- Detailed curriculum vitae, highlighting positions of leadership;
- Strategic vision statement describing their vision for the CEE department chair, where they believe Civil and Environmental Engineering is headed, including leadership philosophy;
- Statement of research and teaching interests, objectives and vision;
- Statement of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging outlining their commitment and contribution to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and illustrating their understanding of the barriers facing marginalized communities in their field/community. Chair candidates with limited past activities or lived experiences which reflect areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging should focus on future plans.
The combined statements should not exceed five pages.
Consideration of applications will begin in January 2025 with a target start date of September, 2025. The position will remain open until filled. Inquiries and nominations for the position should be submitted to Prof. Haris N. Koutsopoulos at h.koutsopoulos@northeastern.edu.
About the College of Engineering
The College of Engineering at Northeastern University is a leader in experiential education and interdisciplinary research with a focus on innovating for global impact. Our distinctive model of experiential learning, including Northeastern’s signature cooperative education program, contributes significantly to our strengths in rich experiential learning, industry collaborations, and use-inspired research. Our vibrant academic and research enterprise is growing in both size and stature. The college has 3,755 undergraduate and 6,282 graduate students, and 246 tenured/tenure-track faculty. Engineering programs span Northeastern’s global university system of campuses in the U.S. and in multiple countries. Additionally, the college receives more than $105 million in external research awards annually and has 20 multidisciplinary research centers and institutes with funding by eight federal agencies.
Position Type
Academic
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
