APSS - Department Head

Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Florida Institute of Technology invites applications for the position of department head in the Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences (APSS), starting August 2027. The role oversees a multidisciplinary group of about 30 faculty across aerospace engineering, astronomy and astrophysics, physics, space physics, astrobiology, and planetary sciences.

The successful candidate will provide holistic leadership, foster collaboration, mentor early career faculty, and advance graduate and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellence in holistic leadership.
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative culture and high standards in graduate and undergraduate education, mentorship, and curriculum development.
• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Planetary Science, or closely related field; distinguished record appropriate for tenured full professor.

Responsibilities

• Lead a department of ~30 faculty across multiple disciplines.
• Foster interdisciplinary innovation and scale sponsored research while maintaining student success.
• Inspire and mentor early career faculty across all fields while building cross-boundary connections.

Skills

Leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Mentorship

Education

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering/Physics/Astronomy/Planetary Science

Job description

The Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences (APSS) at the Florida Institute of Technology invites applications for a department head with an expected start date of August 2027. We seek a visionary leader with suitable academic and administrative experience to guide a dynamic and multidisciplinary department of approximately 30 faculty members spanning aerospace engineering, astronomy and astrophysics, physics, space physics, astrobiology, and planetary sciences. The ideal candidate will possess the collaborative acumen and leadership background to support interdisciplinary innovation, and champion excellence across both our educational and research missions. We are looking for a leader who can build strong connections across traditional disciplinary boundaries, inspire and mentor early career faculty across all fields, and scale our sponsored research enterprise while maintaining our deep commitment to student success.

Key responsibilities and qualifications include demonstrated excellence in holistic leadership, a commitment to fostering a collaborative culture, a distinguished record of scholarly accomplishment, and a dedication to upholding and elevating high standards in graduate and undergraduate education, mentorship, and curriculum development. Candidates are required to hold a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Planetary Science, or a closely related field, alongside a distinguished record of academic accomplishment appropriate for appointment as a tenured full professor.

Review of applications will begin November 01, 2026. The position is open until filled with anticipated start date of August 2027.

For questions or concerns, please contact our Search Committee at [e-mail].

Information about the Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences and the College of Engineering and Science can be found at https://www.fit.edu/engineering-and-science/

Aerospace research laboratories are focused on autonomy, orbital robotics, fuel tank slosh, and a growing interest in CubeSats. Our high-energy physics group is a member of the CMS collaboration at CERN, and our atmospheric electricity group are world leaders, with a record that includes the discovery of X-ray and gamma-rays from lightning. Florida Tech is the founding member of the Southeast Association for Research in Astronomy, established the first undergraduate astrobiology program in the US, and our faculty have a strong history of successful research using a variety of ground-based and space-based facilities.

The APSS department currently serves nearly 700 undergraduate and over 200 graduate students. We are at the heart of a vibrant research and innovation community on the U.S. Space Coast and nestled in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Melbourne is served by the Melbourne-Orlando International Airport, and is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.

Equal Opportunity

Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Florida Tech does not discriminate on the basis of sex.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Please notify us at least five days in advance if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed by calling the Office of Human Resources at 321-674-8100.

Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges and universities, both public and private, participating in federal student aid programs to disclose campus safety information, and imposes certain basic requirements for handling incidents of sexual violence and emergency situations.

Florida Tech’s 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Florida Tech; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.

The numbers provided include crime statistics that were reported to local law enforcement agencies, campus security and other Campus Security Authorities. The report also includes institutional policy statements regarding campus safety and security measures; descriptions of prevention and awareness programs; related university procedures and important guidance; and other essential safety information. You can obtain a printed copy of this report at the Department of Security Welcome Center located at 3126 Panther Place, during normal business hours, or by accessing the following website 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts of all collegiate work must be sent directly from the attended institution to the Office of Human Resources prior to the first day of employment. All international degrees must have a course-by-course official evaluation and translation sent to the Human Resources Office directly from an evaluation company affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES).

We are an E-verify employer

We are an E-verify employer. The premier private technological university in the Southeast, Florida Tech is a Tier 1 Best National University (U.S. News & World Report) and a Top Technical Institute (Fiske Guide to Colleges), as well as a Best Value University (Forbes) and a top 100 global university for graduate employability (GEURS). Florida Tech is known worldwide for its strengths in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, aviation, autism treatment, biomedical science, cybersecurity and machine-learning, and marine science. It offers more than 150 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computing, aeronautics, business, psychology and the liberal arts. The university is located in the dynamic and innovative city of Melbourne in the heart of the “Space Coast,” where students have been watching rocket launches from campus since the dawn of the Space Race. Learn how Florida Tech is making history and shaping the future at floridatech.edu. Find stories about our relentless pursuit of greatness at floridatech.edu/news.