About the College of Engineering and Applied Science

With over 53,000 students, the University of Cincinnati (UC) is a premier public urban research university, classified as an R1 Research University (Very High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Commission and ranked as one of America’s top 35 public research universities by the National Science Foundation. UC is one of the largest employers in the greater Cincinnati area, employing over 18,000 full time and part time faculty, staff and student workers.  

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, eight straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 athletic conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s 2025 annual budget tops $1.8 billion and its endowment totals $1.9 billion.  Learn more at http://www.uc.edu.

The University of Cincinnati strives to provide a supportive environment for all its faculty. For example, it has an active Black Faculty Association, Latino Faculty Association, and LGBTQ Faculty Association. In addition, UC has an institutional membership in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity and is a member of the National Academies’ Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.

The City of Cincinnati has been rated a "Best Place to Live" by US News & World Report and provides both urban and suburban life along with river views and rolling hills. The city offers a wealth of amenities that include professional sports, world-class entertainment, a vibrant arts scene, gorgeous parks and nature trails, acclaimed museums, and a flourishing riverfront scene. In addition, it offers the features of two cities as the thriving area of northern Kentucky is just across the river. Affordable and family-friendly with excellent public and private schools, multiple Fortune 500 companies call Cincinnati home. Visit http://www.cincinnatiusa.com to learn more.

Job Overview

The Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (ChEE) in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) at the University of Cincinnati (UC) invites applications for the position of Department Head. The principal responsibilities of this position are to (1) provide leadership and management of the department including planning, fiscal management, human resources, and departmental communications; (2) advance the research and teaching missions of the department; (3) nurture collaborations across the college, campus and industry; and (4) work to achieve departmental, college, and university strategic goals.

The Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering offers ABET-accredited undergraduate, Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering.  The College of Engineering at UC has pioneered the mandatory cooperative experience for engineers since 1906 and has excellent relations with the industrial sector. The department has 28 full-time faculty and a total student enrollment of approximately 524 undergraduate and 142 graduate students. 

The department has state-of-the-art research centers and laboratories and over $6 million per year of external research funding.  Key research areas for the Chemical Engineering program include Membrane Science/Separations; Catalysis/Electrochemistry; Soft Matter/Polymers; and Biochemical Engineering.  Key research areas for the Environmental Engineering program include Water Quality; Environmental Biotechnologies; Hydrosystems; and Air Quality.

The department is charged with developing and sustaining premier research programs and with preparing students to become high-performing professionals in the local and global workplace. The Department Head is expected to further these goals by establishing exciting collaborations with other CEAS departments and other UC Colleges. The Department Head will lead the development of innovative education and interdisciplinary research programs, encourage integrative efforts within CEAS and the University community, and strengthen entrepreneurial and academic partnerships with government, industry, and other academic entities. 

Essential Functions

• Act as a visionary academic leader with a demonstrated ability to turn vision into reality and inspire CHEE faculty, staff, students, and the community with departmental goals and develop a plan to lead CHEE toward those meeting those goals;
• Be a strong advocate for the department to the administration and outside stakeholders;
• Foster a culture of accountability in which departmental goals are specified, strategies are articulated, and results against goals are reported;
• Strengthen/Advance existing research programs within CHEE and develop new ones across a variety of sectors, including but not limited to, government agencies, foundations and industry;
• Develop, maintain and strengthen transdisciplinary research collaborations across the CEAS and the University community;
• Promote scholarly and creative excellence;
• Facilitate development, mentoring, and personnel management to faculty and staff;
• Create and transparently manage an annual CHEE budget in collaboration with the department’s business administrator;
• Lead the development/refinement of an innovative undergraduate and graduate CHEE educational paradigm to position CHEE to effectively respond to the University’s Next Lives Here initiative;
• Ensure compliance with ABET accreditation requirements;
• Initiate new and strengthen current national and international relationships in pursuit of joint educational and research collaborations to enhance the Department’s domestic and global visibility;
• Engage the Department's External Advisory Boards seeking and implementing feedback on strategic directions and state of the department;
• Manage departmental communications to enhance and extend its national and international visibility.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have an earned doctorate in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely-related discipline and demonstrated academic leadership and management skills.  Applicants must have a proven record of scholarly publications, funded research, effective teaching, and professional and university service sufficient to qualify for appointment to a tenured position at the Professor rank.  Demonstrated commitment to the instruction and research mission of the university and to a dynamic team environment among faculty, staff, and students is required. 

Application Process

The application must include a

• Cover letter;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Statement of vision and administrative philosophy, emphasizing ability to provide leadership in research, teaching, and service as well as ability to foster faculty, staff, and student development and a dynamic team environment; and
• Names of at least three references.

References will only be contacted for candidates who are selected as finalists. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting on December 13, 2024 until the position is filled.   Applications should be submitted through UC’s Success Factors site at the following URL:  https://jobs.uc.edu/job-invite/97614/

For Further Information

Questions and requests for further information should be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Mohamed M. Ahmed, mohamed.ahmed@uc.edu.