Electrical and Computer Engineering - Department Head

Position Summary

Position — Professor, Department Head of the UA Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The anticipated start date is no later than Fall 2026.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama invite applications for the position of Department Head of the UA Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The anticipated start date for the position is Fall 2026 or earlier as appropriate. This opportunity seeks a dynamic and visionary leader with a demonstrated record of success as a scholar, researcher, teacher, and mentor to join our UA College of Engineering and our Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering during a period of record growth with access to significant resources to help grow and shape the program into one of the leading departments of electrical and computer engineering in the nation.

Candidates with prestigious achievements, significant impact in their fields, and exceptional national and international reputations will be eligible for consideration for significant endowment support through appointment as an Endowed Shelby Distinguished Professor. These Shelby Distinguished Professor positions are among the highest honors for faculty at The University of Alabama, and candidates who feel their record warrants consideration should indicate this in their cover letter.

This is an exciting time to join the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Alabama. The UA College of Engineering has experienced growth in faculty, facilities, student populations, and research enterprise. The College currently has more than 4,800 undergraduate students and almost 800 graduate students. The ECE Department offers two undergraduate degrees (B.S. in Electrical Engineering and B.S. in Computer Engineering) and two graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering).

The department is expanding its faculty size and moved into a new departmental home at the UA South Engineering Research Center, which provides new spaces and a central administrative suite. The next Department Head will help shape the department and work with College leadership to deploy substantial resources to advance the department toward national preeminence.

Under the leadership of the Dean, the College has launched the transformative initiative “Top-30+ by ‘30.” The goals focus on becoming a top-30 national program in impact by 2030 across degrees produced, scholarly productivity, research awards, faculty size, and translational activity. The new Department Head will lead growth and development in concert with the College and University resources.

The Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is the academic and administrative leader of the department. The expectation is that the Department Head will serve for a minimum of 5 years, with renewal possible. The Department Head is part of the College of Engineering senior leadership and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council. The Department Head is supported by two Associate Department Heads for Graduate and Undergraduate Studies and a professional staff team including an Administrative Assistant.

The Head will play a central role in a fast-growing education and research enterprise.

Successful candidates will contribute to research, teaching, and service, consistent with Department Head responsibilities. Candidates with an accomplished track record in research and graduate education are encouraged to apply and are expected to advise graduate and undergraduate students supported by an extramurally funded research program. As a tenured faculty member, the Head will maintain a high-quality research program, teach as permitted, and mentor Ph.D. students, while providing service to the department, college, and university.

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years of experience as a tenure-track/tenured faculty member in an electrical engineering, computer engineering, or closely related department.
• A…