Southern California HERC

The Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering invites applications for the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) (https://www.cmu.edu/cee/) is one of ten academic departments in the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and is ranked as a top ten department (US News & World Report). CEE has a long and distinguished tradition in education and research, and today its 21 core faculty continue to address the most important and challenging issues at the forefront of science and technology. CEE was initiated as the Study of Civil Practice under the School of Applied Science in 1905 as one of the first departments of the newly formed university.  It also graduated the first PhD student of Carnegie Mellon in 1921. The department resides in the oldest building on campus: Porter Hall, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The student body includes approximately 80 undergraduates (sophomore - senior), over 90 Masters, and over 60 PhD students. CEE’s annual research expenditures attributable to CEE Faculty as lead investigator are over $9M. As one of several departments in the nationally 7th ranked College of Engineering, CEE is a highly interdisciplinary program, and several of our faculty share joint appointments with other departments across campus. Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh PA. The city combines the amenities of a major metropolitan area with an affordable cost of living, a growing culinary reputation, and outstanding cultural offerings that include world-class museums, theaters, and music venues. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy easy access to parks, rivers, and trails. Pittsburgh's friendly community and the strong tech and research ecosystem anchored by several world-class universities and a major research hospital (UPMC) provides an environment where new faculty can thrive both professionally and personally.  

An accomplished academic leader is sought to provide strategic vision, leadership, and outstanding operational management, to oversee world-class research and educational programs, and to guide the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the highest level of accomplishment and impact. In addition to vision, leadership, and administrative oversight, department heads in the College of Engineering hire and mentor faculty and staff to achieve the goals of the department and the college; manage the department budget and achieve various goals within the constraints of the budget; and work to build stronger alumni/donor relations to increase philanthropic giving. As a member of the leadership team in the college, they work with the dean, other academic department heads/directors, research institute directors, and members of the college’s Executive Council to coordinate and support existing multidisciplinary education and research programs and build and support collaborative initiatives that contribute to the vision and strategy of the college and CMU.

Carnegie Mellon University provides resources through its Dual Career Program https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/dual-careers/index.html and is a member of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NERC) that assists with dual-career searches.

Review of applications will begin on January 10th, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The expected start date is August 1, 2026. E-mail inquiries concerning this position may be sent to the Search Committee at ceeheadsearch@andrew.cmu.edu

Individuals with expertise across a wide range of areas related to Civil and Environmental Engineering will be considered. Applicants must have earned a PhD in a field of engineering or science closely related to the disciplinary expertise of the department. An internationally recognized record of research, education, mentorship and leadership are essential. Applicants must be qualified for an appointment at the rank of professor with tenure.

Interested candidates should submit applications electronically via Interfolio, including a cover letter (2-3 pages) that describes leadership experience and administrative experience, your management approach, and your vision for the future of the department. This application should also include a curriculum vitae and 2 statements: a statement of research experience and interests (2-3 pages); and a statement of teaching experience and interests (2-3 pages). The search committee will solicit names of references and their contact information only for a subset of applicants after the initial review. Applicants will be notified in advance before letters are requested.

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon (www.cmu.edu) is a private, internationally ranked research university with programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business, to public policy, the humanities and the arts. More than 12,000 students in the university’s seven schools and colleges benefit from a small student-to-faculty ratio and an education characterized by its focus on creating and implementing solutions for real problems, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. A global university, Carnegie Mellon’s main campus in the United States is in Pittsburgh, Pa. It has campuses in California’s Silicon Valley and Qatar, and programs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Mexico.

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