Department Chair, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

SNAME; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan's Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering invites nominations for the role of Department Chair. The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership, sustain scholarly activity, and advance maritime research across undergraduate and graduate programs.

The chair will collaborate with faculty, staff, alumni, and industry partners to strengthen sponsored research, mentor junior faculty, and guide curriculum evolution while upholding the college's mission

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in naval architecture, marine engineering, or a closely aligned field.
• Demonstrated record of scholarship, teaching, and service at a level commensurate with tenure-track leadership.
• Ability to lead and mentor a diverse faculty and engage with industry partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the NA&ME department's strategic direction and vision.
• Advance sponsored research programs and foster collaborations with industry and other institutions.

Job description

The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA&ME) within the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan hereby invites applications and nominations for the esteemed position of Department Chair. Beginning with its first course offerings in 1881, the department has developed a distinguished 145-year legacy of exemplary education and pioneering maritime research. It is recognized as the first program of its kind nationwide, the last remaining stand-alone NA&ME department at an R1 institution encompassing undergraduate through graduate studies, and is considered the premier naval architecture program in the United States. NA&ME comprises 13 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, 2 full-time and 2 adjunct professors of practice, 7 research scientists, 84 undergraduate students, and 81 graduate students, supported by an annual research budget exceeding ten million dollars. The department actively pursues research across various topics within the maritime domain, including ship design, ship production and management; dynamics and controls; hydrodynamics; marine and offshore structures; marine renewable energy; robotics and autonomy; structural and hydro-acoustics; and yacht design. Additional information can be found on the department’s official website: name.engin.umich.edu.

Applicants should electronically submit a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae, two-page research statement, teaching statement, and vision statement describing how the candidate proposes to advance the NA&ME program, along with a list of at least five references and their contact information. The deadline for ensuring full consideration of an application is November 30, 2026, but the position will remain open and applications may still be considered until the appointment is made. The search will be conducted in confidence until finalists are invited for campus visits, at which time professional references will be contacted. If you have any questions regarding the search, or would like to nominate someone, please contact Professor David Singer ([e-mail]), Search Committee Chair. Employment will require both a criminal background check and an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. Candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure form as well as an authorization to release information. The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer with an Active Dual-Career Assistance Program. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding scholar with an earned doctorate in naval architecture, marine engineering, or a closely aligned field. Candidates holding degrees in broader engineering disciplines must demonstrate a central, sustained record of scholarly impact specifically anchored in maritime systems or marine applications. The successful candidate will possess an exemplary record of achievement in research, teaching, and service at a level commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor. They must exhibit visionary leadership abilities, an appreciation for the diverse sub-disciplines within the department, and a strong commitment to expanding sponsored research programs and mentoring faculty. The candidate will lead and support the faculty to ensure high-quality learning flourishes at all levels, while engaging collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and industry partners to advance the department's unique position in the field.