Department Head - Biomedical Engineering

This senior level position within the College of Engineering will lead a department representing a unique multidisciplinary interface between biomedical science and real-world applications. Our faculty and students innovate and discover across a continuum of systems, from natural to engineered to medical. The department has 30 full-time faculty members, with an on-campus enrollment of approximately 148 undergraduates, 31 M.S., 117 Ph.D. students. The Department’s annual research expenditures exceeded $14M in FY 2024, and the School of Biomedical Engineering and Science graduate program in collaboration with Wake Forest University is ranked 36th in the nation.

The Department seeks strong candidates capable of further advancing the department's reputation as an international leader in innovative research, scholarship, and educational practices that enhance the world for current and future generations. Candidates should be able to lead the department's efforts in research, education, mentoring, and service, and contribute to further advancing the interdisciplinary and collaborative culture in the department. The Department Head will serve as an integral member of the College of Engineering leadership team, serving as an advocate to the university administration and external stakeholders, and will have substantive oversight in leading and executing the department’s mission. In addition to leading and managing the department, the successful candidate is expected to strengthen and grow our external and internal partnerships. Further, we seek candidates who demonstrate excellence in fostering innovation, growth and industry connections in support of our new BME undergraduate program. Candidates should have professional achievements commensurate with appointment at the rank of Full Professor or a non-academic equivalent.

Virginia Tech's main campus is located in Blacksburg, VA, which is consistently ranked among the country's best places to live. On campus, BEAM is located in three buildings (Kelly Hall, Norris Hall, and Collegiate Square) with additional faculty access to advanced instrumentation to facilitate innovation and discovery, such as within the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS), which recently supported the shared user facilities in the BioMaterials Characterization Lab (BioMCL).
The Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics faculty also benefit from several university-wide institutes and partners, such as the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI), Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, Virginia Tech’s facilities in the Washington, D.C. metro area offer unique proximity to government and industry partners and are expanding rapidly, with the new Children’s National and Innovation Campus in Washington DC, and the Innovation Campus in Alexandria, VA.

• Candidates should have a Doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering or a closely related field
• Demonstrated intellectual leadership and administrative skills in an academic/university environment or equivalent
• A clear vision for the future of for the department; ability to communicate effectively, concisely, and clearly at all levels
• Dedication to the instructional mission of the university; interest in the development and expansion of sponsored research programs
• An established record of professional activities and leadership in professional organizations; strong interpersonal skills
• Experience in enhancing the representation and success of underrepresented populations
• Credentials commensurate with appointment as full professor with tenure in the department.

Appointment Type

Regular

November 9th, 2024

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.