What are the responsibilities and job description for the William E. Walker III Endowed Department Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering position at Missouri University of Science and Technology?
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) seeks applications and nominations for the position of William E. Walker III Endowed Department Chair. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated leader to shape the future of a thriving department within a Carnegie R1 designated university known for its engineering focus.
Missouri S&T is nationally recognized for being one of the nation’s top 50 public engineering schools and the No. 2 public university in the nation for “Best Salaries”. S&T's vision is as ambitious as its accomplishments ... to be the leading public technological research university for discovery, creativity, and innovation. The MAE Department is well on its way to being nationally recognized as a premier program in mechanical and aerospace engineering education, innovation, research, and scholarship. The MAE department played a critical role in helping the university to recently achieve its North Star Goal of the R1 Carnegie Classification. Departmental faculty are also heavily involved in the launching of the Missouri Protoplex (protoplex.mst.edu/) supporting and expanding the department’s long-standing and close relationships with industry partners. The department faculty are eager to maintain the current momentum of the department and expect the next department chair to continue and accelerate progress. The department anticipates the opportunity for the next department chair to continue faculty recruitment and fulfill the MAE Department’s vision by advancing the national and international visibility, reputation, and impact of the department.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will be internationally recognized scholars with an earned doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field and will have demonstrated an outstanding record of excellence in research, teaching, and service at a level commensurate with appointment as a tenured, full professor. Competitive applicants will possess visionary leadership abilities, rooted in shared governance, which will continue to guide the department to flourish at the highest levels of achievement in all facets of scholarship and especially with respect to promoting sponsored research and faculty mentoring. The successful candidate will have demonstrated excellence in communication, so as to effectively work with faculty, staff, students, administrators, corporate representatives, and alumni, and will serve as an advocate for the department.
Application Materials
Interested candidates should electronically submit: 1) a detailed cover letter, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a perspective on their views regarding current and emerging opportunities and challenges facing mechanical and aerospace engineering research and education, 4) a research statement, and 5) current contact information for at least four professional references.
Application Deadline
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applicants should apply by November 16, 2025. Application materials are requested to be submitted using Reference Number 00096494 at: https://hr.mst.edu/careers/. For questions prior to submitting an application, please contact the search committee co-chairs, Dr. Jonathan Kimball at kimballjw@mst.edu and Dr. Douglas Bristow at dbristow@mst.edu.
Community Information
University Information
Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading research universities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers.
COLLEGE of ENGINEERING & COMPUTING (CEC)
Missouri S&T’s College of Engineering and Computing is the largest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately 80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800 graduate students). The college includes more than 170 ranked faculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all with master’s and doctoral equivalents organized into nine academic departments. The college recently added a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering, both starting in fall 2024. Missouri S&T, supported by the College of Engineering and Computing, is nationally recognized for its career outcomes and ROI.
About Rolla
Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that help individuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal place for families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable for all ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapes offers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of every lifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout the year. The university’s Leach Theatre showcases nationally renowned performers for campus and community alike. Overall, living in Rolla offers a high quality of life with a supportive community, affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734.