Chair - R159316

Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering invites applications for the Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). The chair leads bold, collaborative work, drives innovation in education and research, and strengthens ties with alumni, industry partners, and interdisciplinary centers.

Start date as early as July 2027. The role demands visionary leadership, integrity, and a track record of academic excellence with strong funding and administrative experience.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in materials science and engineering or a closely related field.
• Credentials appropriate for appointment at the rank of full professor.
• Demonstrated excellence in materials science and engineering and/or welding engineering research with strong external funding and scholarly publications.
• Demonstrated commitment to Ohio State’s Shared Values.
• Proven academic administrative experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Commitment to faculty collaboration and academic excellence.
• Strong commitment to faculty and staff growth and development.
• Commitment to lifelong learning and reflective leadership.
• Ability to develop and implement a strategic vision for the department.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong internal and external relationships.
• Commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary education.
• Record of academic research excellence, sustained federal and/or industrial funding, professional service and leadership.
• Strong international research reputation and connections with federal funding agencies.
• Experience working with college and university administration.
• Expertise in financial stewardship, fundraising, and delegation.
• Proven ability to lead in complex and dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee department operations for Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and Welding Engineering (WE).
• Develop and maintain effective administrative practices in consultation with faculty.
• Ensure efficient and timely operations.
• Schedule regular faculty meetings and maintain records.
• Consult with faculty on policy matters and uphold shared governance.
• Involve faculty in recruitment and review of new members.
• Involve faculty in development of a strategic plan.
• Develop procedures for appointments, promotions, tenure, and salary adjustments.
• Conduct yearly faculty and staff evaluations.
• Recommend appointments, promotions, and dismissals to the Dean.
• Encourage excellence in research and educational innovation.
• Promote continuous improvement of instruction.
• Build relationships with alumni, industry partners, and stakeholders.
• Pursue external funding opportunities in partnership with University Advancement.
• The Department Chair reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic vision

Collaborative leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Earned doctorate in materials science and engineering or related field

Credentials for full professor

Job description

The Ohio State University: College of Engineering: Materials Science and Engineering

Location

Open Date

Sep 18, 2026

Deadline

Nov 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

Materials Science and Engineering

The Ohio State University

The College of Engineering at The Ohio State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The department grants degrees in Materials Science & Engineering and is the only ABET accredited Welding Engineering d egree - granting program in the country. The department seeks a leader who can realize our vision of becoming the foremost department in Materials Science and Engineering and Welding Engineering grounded in Ohio State’s shared values. This position will start as early as July 2027.

Position Overview

The Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is expected to provide bold and collaborative leadership. The Chair will envision innovative approaches to educating the next generation of leaders in m aterials s cience and w elding engineering, enhance the department’s reputation and engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, and leverage the unique strengths of The Ohio State University’s environment and alumni base. T h e Chair foster s an environment where faculty, students, and staff are empowered to take intellectual risks, pursue ambitious ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and see themselves as active participants in shaping the future of the field. The anticipated departmental trajectory over the next five to ten years will require ethical leadership, integrity, effective communication, a visionary mindset, a keen awareness of national priorities, and the ability to cultivate synergistic collaborations.

The Chair is expected to think boldly about the future of Materials Science and Engineering and Welding Engineering , while creating a clear and compelling vision for how our department will lead that transformation. They should have the intellectual curiosity and strategic perspective to recognize emerging opportunities, bring together traditionally disparate areas of research, and position the department at the forefront of new fields and technologies. T he Ch air should be a strategic leader who strengthens the department’s integration with Ohio State’s interdisciplinary research centers and institu t es including but not limited to the Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) , the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) , and the Edison Joining Technology Center (EJTC) .

The Chair should also be a powerful advocate for Materials Science and Engineering and Welding Engineering , both within the university and beyond. They should be capable of articulating the importance of materials research to university leadership, federal agencies, industry partners, alumni, and the broader public and translating the department's strengths into compelling opportunities for investment and growth.

Performance Objectives

The Department Chair serves as the administrative head of the department and represents the faculty in dealings with the Dean and university administration. The Chair is appointed for a four-year term, subject to annual review, and is eligible for reappointment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee department operations for the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and Welding Engineering (WE) programs .
• Develop and maintain effective administrative practices in consultation with faculty.
• Ensure efficient and timely operations.

Faculty Collaboration

• Schedule regular faculty meetings and maintain appropriate records .
• Consult with faculty on policy matters and uphold shared governance principles.
• Involve faculty in recruitment and review of new members.
• Involve faculty in the development of a strategic plan.
• Develop and refine procedures for faculty appointments, promotions, tenure, and salary adjustments.
• Conduct year ly faculty and staff evaluations.
• Recommend appointments, promotions, and dismissals to the Dean.

Academic and Research Excellence

• Encourage excellence in research and educational innovation.
• Promote continuous improvement of instruction.
• Ensure equitable distribution of faculty responsibilities.

Budget and Resource Management

• Prepare annual budget recommendations in collaboration with faculty and staff .
• Evaluate instructional and administrative processes for improvement.

External Engagement and Advancement

• Build relationships with alumni, industry partners, and stakeholders.
• Pursue external funding opportunities in partnership with University Advancement.

Reporting Structure : The Department Chair reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required :

• Earned doctorate in m aterials s cience and e ngineering or a closely related field.
• Credentials appropriate for appointment at the rank of full professor.
• Demonstrated excellence in m at erial s s cience and e ngineering and /o r w eldin g e ng i neerin g research with strong external funding and scholarly publications.
• Demonstrated commitment to Ohio State’s S hared V alues .
• Proven academic administrative experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills .
• Commitment to faculty collaboration and academic excellence.
• Strong commitment to faculty and staff growth and development.
• Commitment to lifelong learning and reflective leadership.
• Ability to develop and implement a strategic vision for the department.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong internal and external relationships.
• Commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary education.
• Record of academic research excellence, sustained federal and /or industrial funding , professional service and leadership.
• Strong international research reputation and conne ctions with federal funding agencies .
• Experience working with college and university administration.
• Expertise in financial stewardship, fundraising, and delegation.
• Proven ability to lead in complex and dynamic environments.

Additional Information

The final offer for this position will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. S alary and start-up packages are negotiated by the Dean and may vary depending on individual circumstances .

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package .

Department Information

The mission of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is to create, transfer, and preserve knowledge through impactful research, dynamic teaching, and effective training of our future colleagues in materials science and engineering and welding engineering. We believe that learning, discovery, and innovation are fostered through the interaction of persons from a diverse background and are dedicated to creating an environment that welcomes and values all. As one of the largest materials programs in the country, MSE at The Ohio State University transforms materials synthesis, development, processing, characterization, and joining. We provide students with state-of-the-art experimental and computational techniques, preparing them to be leaders in the materials industry and academia . Our facilities include Mars G. Fontana Laboratories, which opened in 2020; Phase Two , the Engineering Research & Education Laborator ies (EREL), which opened in Autumn 2026 ; and the Edison Joining Technology Center (EJTC). Our core research areas include materials characterization, computational materials science, corrosion science/sustainability, and mate r i a ls joining . Extensive equipment resources support synthesis, characterization, and joining of materials for structural materials, ceramics and sen s ors, biomaterials and electronic/quantum materials .

The MSE undergraduate program is ranked 1 3 th in the nation, and the gradu a te program 18 th by U.S. News and World Report (2026) . Undergraduate students benefit from a 6 :1 student-to-faculty ratio in MSE and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio in WE , dedicated advisors, and opportunities for research, internships, co-ops, global education, and professional societies. Graduate students enjoy state-of-the-art research facilities, interdisciplinary research, and national and international collaborations. The department is comprised of thirty f ive tenure-track faculty, four clinical-track faculty, fiv e research-track faculty, and fourteen joint faculty with appointments in various engineering and architecture disciplines. We offer BS, MS, and PhD degrees in M aterials S cience and E ngineering and W elding E ngineering. Our programs include a distance-learning MS in W elding E ngineering, an accelerated BS/MS program, and an Integrated Business & Engineering Honors Program.

For more information, please visit our department website:

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values , our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. IOhio State promotes a culture of work-life balance through institutionalized policies, programs, and resources that help faculty, staff, and their families thrive both professionally and personally.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here . Beyondits Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.