Chairperson/Associate Professor - Department of Chemical Engineering

Description

The Hampton University School of Engineering Architecture and Aviation (SEAA) invites nominations and applications for highly qualified candidates for a tenure-track position in the area of chemical engineering to serve as Chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering position at the rank of Associate Professor beginning in August 2026. Please note that tenure-track positions are offered at the discretion of the University conditional upon expertise, credentials, and qualifications of the successful candidate(s).

Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a leading historically black university (HBCU) located on the Virginia Peninsula in the City of Hampton. It is a privately endowed, co-educational, non-sectarian institution of higher learning with accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia. The School of Engineering Architecture and Aviation includes the Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Architecture, and Department of Aviation. The programs are ABET, NAAB, and AABI accredited. The inaugural class of the Department of Mechanical Engineering will begin in August.

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a B.S. degree in chemical engineering and has a long history of funded research in areas including energy, materials, nanotechnology, biomedical and health applications, controls, manufacturing, reverse engineering, environmental monitoring, transportation, computer networking, and engineering education. Projects have included collaborations with colleagues within SEAA, other schools on campus, and with colleagues at other academic institutions, in industry, and at federal agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to lead the department's efforts to support Hampton University's transformation from its current Carnegie Foundation classification to a research-intensive university. Accordingly, the candidate will be expected to inspire and lead the department's faculty in the pursuit of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; to review and update the curriculum; to write proposals for external funding; to schedule classes and advise students; to evaluate faculty; to ensure the effective operation of the department; to respond to University directives; to monitor the quality of instruction of the department; to maintain program accreditation; and to carry out other duties that may be assigned.

The candidate is expected to develop and lead independent research programs of international prominence and teach undergraduate courses chemical engineering and the fundamentals of engineering curricula, collaborate on various research initiatives (including some of an interdepartmental nature).

The candidate will be expected to work with the Dean, the Assistant Dean, and/or other faculty members to develop and submit proposals to funding agencies for support of educational programs and research. The Chair must initiate and support national and international collaborations that are essential to the growth of the department, as well as assist the Dean and Assistant Dean with management and administrative functions.

Requirements

Applicants must have a PhD in Chemical Engineering and have a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching, leadership and research. The successful candidates' expertise is expected to complement existing departmental strengths in catalysis, energy, fluid-particle systems and nanomaterials.

Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate previous teaching experience at the university level.

The successful candidate(s) will possess the following skills and abilities:

• High level of energy and initiative,
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills,
• Written record of securing external funding, and
• Proven ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.

The Chair of the department serves as both an administrator and faculty member, and is expected to provide effective leadership in both roles. Although not required, candidates who have had previous experience in college administration are preferred. He/she must value diversity, especially as it pertains to the merits of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Salary is based on qualifications $80,000-$100,000 for 9 months.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with rank/experience. Interested candidates should submit their letter of interest, curriculum vitae, personal contact information, the Hampton University Application for Faculty Employment Employment Application.PDF , and a list of three professional references (names and addresses) electronically (preferred) to [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work , or to the following address via regular mail:

Joyce Shirazi, D.Sc., P.E.
Dean, School of Engineering Architecture and Aviation
Hampton University
Hampton, VA 23668
Email: [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work

*Hampton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.