Department Chair- Mechanical Engineering – University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Hispanic Serving University specializing in cyber, health, fundamental futures, and social-economic development. With more than 34,000 students, it is the largest university in the San Antonio metropolitan region. UTSA advances knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. The university embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property—for Texas, the nation and the world. Learn more online, on UTSA Today or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn.

UTSA is situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair. The Department seeks an exceptional candidate with (1) a record of high quality research and scholarship, (2) excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, (3) leadership experience, and (4) a demonstrated commitment to inclusion and diversity. Successful candidates will demonstrate a clear vision for expanding the research enterprise of the Department, a plan for the continued growth of graduate and undergraduate educational programs, and the ability to build strong relationships with local industry and other academic departments.

The ME Department, CEID, and UTSA are focused on increasing national and international recognition as an institution of research excellence.  With an average annual research expenditure over the last 3 years of ~$4.53 million, faculty within the Department have a broad range of research interests that include advanced materials and mechanics, thermo-fluid systems and renewable energy, aerospace and hypersonic flow, manufacturing and systems engineering, dynamics, controls and robotics, and biomechanics and human performance. The successful candidate is expected to have a research program in any area of mechanical engineering with biomedical or biological applications. In addition, the candidate will have the ability to leverage strengths throughout San Antonio to develop research that can positively impact human performance for health, sports, and military function.

The ME Department currently has 21 full-time faculty (5 endowed chairs), 6 full-time lecturers, and 1075 undergraduate, 68 M.S., and 48 Ph.D. students, with the doctoral program jointly sponsored by SwRI. The Department offers accredited B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and a M.S. degree in Advanced Manufacturing and Enterprise Engineering. UTSA is committed to growth in student opportunities, as indicated by the $95 million Science and Engineering building completed in summer 2020. Additional information about the ME Department can be found at https://engineering.utsa.edu/mechanical/.

UTSA is one of the 13 University of Texas System’s campuses and located in the City of San Antonio. The ME Department and CEID have experienced sustained growth in student population, number of faculty, and research awards. The College includes five departments/schools: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Management, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and School of Architecture and Planning. Several research centers are also hosted within CEID, including the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute, Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Lean Systems, Center for Excellence in Engineering Education, Open Cloud Institute, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The City of San Antonio is recognized as a biomedical hub and host to the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), San Antonio Military Health System, UT Health San Antonio, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and a robust biotech industry.  The University enjoys strong ties with other research institutions and companies located in San Antonio. These include SwRI, CPS Energy, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and UT Health San Antonio.

Review of applications begins November 1, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled.

• Curriulum Vitae
• A research and teaching statement, which includes discussion on the role diversity and inclusion play in an academic environment (4-page limit)
• A statement regarding previous administrative experience and their vision for the department (2-page limit)
• Complete contact information for at least three professional references.

Please submit all documents together in a single PDF in order to be considered.

• Research in the area of Biomechanics or other area related to human performance
• Doctorate in mechanical engineering or related field
• Outstanding research and teaching record that warrant an appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure (contingent upon Board of Regents approval)
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and diversity

• Experience in an academic supervisory capacity/leadership position
• Experience with ABET accreditation
• Knowledge of innovative curriculum development and implementation
• Experience with fiscal management responsibilities
• Leadership in professional organizations

On Campus:  Primary work location will be on campus

• UTSA is a tobacco free campus.
• This is a security sensitive position. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. UTSA campuses are accessible to persons with disabilities.