Job Description Summary

The Department of Chemistry at Michigan Technological University invites applications for the position of chair. We seek an established scholar and motivated leader committed to innovative research, teaching, and professional excellence to lead the Department in implementing a shared vision for its future. Successful applicants will demonstrate high achievement in teaching, research, and service; a strong record of organizational management; experience managing external research funding; experience developing and/or evaluating curricula; and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty and staff who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a sense of belonging and contributing to an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply (https://www.mtu.edu/diversity-inclusion/).

The Department of Chemistry contributes to global Sustainable Development Goals through contributions to health and well-being, environmental protection, responsible use of materials, and climate stabilization. We have a diverse faculty conducting transdisciplinary research; a suite of modern chemical instrumentation including a brand new 500 MHz NMR; several recently renovated teaching labs; and financial commitments for additional teaching infrastructure renovations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

Departmental Leadership:
• Provide leadership in achieving excellence in research, teaching, and service.
• Guide advancement of strategic plans of the Department, the College of Sciences and Arts, and the University.
• Support and encourage effective communication among diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff.
• Promote efforts to continuously increase externally funded research.
• Actively engage in fundraising activities and alumni outreach.
• Supervise department faculty and staff, conduct performance reviews of tenured and nontenured faculty, and make recommendations on reappointment, tenure, and promotion cases.

Departmental Educational and Research Programs:
• Increase student enrollment.
• Provide guidance on student career development.
• Enhance the research environment, collaborations, and visibility.
• Oversee the review and assessment of academic programs within the Department of C Chemistry.
• Develop infrastructure, including guiding upcoming department renovations and integration into the planned adjacent research facility (HSTEM).

Department Operations:
• Manage a diverse teaching and learning community.
• Participate in mentoring, including a focus on professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
• Foster shared governance and transparency in departmental operations.
• Foster a culture of safety in compliance with regulations through actions, communications, and training.
• Manage the Department’s financial responsibilities and strategically to achieve short- and long-term goals.
• Commit to learning about and actively engaging in continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or closely related discipline.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

• Experience sufficient for the rank of associate or full professor at Michigan Tech.
• Experience in teaching/mentoring students.
• Experience leading federally funded research projects.
• Leadership experience in an academic, research, or service capacity.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Proactive leadership skills with demonstrated excellence in promoting teamwork and effective organizational skills.
• Experience working effectively within a structure of shared governance.
• Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate and graduate education.
• Experience engaging with prospective students, alumni, and corporate representatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Commitment to promoting a culture of safety.
• Commitment to promoting a culture of continuous improvement

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment is that of a typical office, laboratory, and classroom setting. The noise level in  the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. Visa sponsorship is unavailable at this time. This is not an E-Verified Position.

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

11 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Title of Position Supervisor

College Dean

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Please contact the search committee via Dr. Lynn Mazzoleni at lrmazzol@mtu.edu or Dr. Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova at tatyanak@mtu.edu, if you have any questions.

Applicants should submit each of the following:
• Cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Statement of research plans,
• Statement of educational philosophy,
• Statement of leadership and administrative philosophy,
• Diversity statement describing how past and/or potential actions support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging where all members of a campus community can excel, and
• List of 3-4 professional references with their contact information.

Additional Information

Michigan Technological University, one of the four major research universities in the State of Michigan, is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula adjacent to Lake Superior. The community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities. Michigan Tech is in Houghton, MI on the shore of Lake Superior.

Michigan Tech is proud to be an ADVANCE Institution that has thrice received National Science Foundation support to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM. (see https://www.mtu.edu/advance/).

Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting candidates’ partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews are invited to bring a guest. Additional details on our Partner Engagement Program can be found at https://www.mtu.edu/provost/programs/partner-engagement/.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer, that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.