Stony Brook University College of Engineering & Applied Sciences

Chair, Department of Materials Science & Chemical Engineering

The College of Engineering & Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Stony Brook University seeks a highly accomplished scholar and strategic leader to be the Chair of the Department of Materials Science & Chemical Engineering (MSCE). Serving a renewable five-year term, the Department Chair will be appointed as a full-time tenured faculty member in MSCE and, while remaining active in research, will provide sustained strategic leadership of the department. Serving a renewable five-year term, the Department Chair will be a full-time tenured faculty member in MSCE and, while remaining active in research, will provide sustained strategic leadership for the department.

The Department of Materials Science & Chemical Engineering

The department currently houses 21 tenure-line faculty, four research professors, and over 100 adjunct and affiliate faculty. Six technical and administrative staff support the department. Current graduate-student enrollment is 121. Since its inception, the MSCE department has had a strong research component, with a recent emphasis on advanced materials, materials and processes for energy generation and storage, and sustainability. With its collegiality and culture of collaboration, the department has been remarkably successful in obtaining external funding for research and currently has the highest per capita faculty funding in all of Stony Brook. It supports a wide range of research programs, with strengths in energy, catalysis and hard materials, computational materials science, microelectronics, nuclear materials, polymer and soft materials, sustainable engineering, and thermal spray. Total research expenditures in FY2024-2025 surpassed $13M.  The proximity to Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)  and its advanced national facilities has been a major benefit to both MSCE faculty and students. The department’s external advisory board supports the department by providing counsel on programs, career trajectories, industry engagement, and philanthropy.  

Strategic Opportunities

MSCE’s new Chair will leverage the Stony Brook’s new all-funds, performance-based budget model to expand the current curricular offerings and develop new forward-looking curricula and degree programs in collaboration with other units as appropriate. The Chair will also expand research in the areas of national importance, leveraging existing strengths in CEAS and other Stony Brook departments/centers such as those focused  on energy, climate sciences, quantum information systems, medicine and healthcare, sustainability, artificial intelligence, critical materials,  data science,  climate and clean energy, and biomedical science. The candidate will also leverage current departmental growth areas by leading strong collaborative efforts in fields such as but not limited to advanced computational materials sciences and microstructural characterization techniques. 

Qualifications

The Chair will be a proven, entrepreneurial leader who can inspire faculty, staff, and students in a shared governance environment. They will have the ability to collaboratively develop a compelling vision to establish MSCE as a hub for research and education and as a site of innovation, teaching, and translation. They will have strong skills for mentoring junior faculty and will promote the interests of the entire department. Fundraising experience is preferred but not required.

Required:

• An earned doctorate in a discipline appropriate for a faculty appointment in the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences
• A distinguished record of research, teaching, and academic mentoringcommensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor at Stony Brook University
• A proven track record of scholarship and the ability to support a vibrant research program along with an outstanding record of professional achievement
• Excellent leadership and management abilitiessuited to guiding a world-class research and education program

Preferred:

• Demonstrated academic leadership experienceand a strong commitment to collaborative, inclusive, and synergistic leadership that fosters a respectful and supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students at all levels
• A record of successful administrative experience including managing personnel, budgets, and academic operations at the department, center/institute, or school/college level
• A track of record of fund-raising

Senior researchers from industry or government with a proven track record of scholarship and professional leadership but limited academic experience are also encouraged to apply.

Appointment terms

The Chair will serve a renewable five-year term subject to an appropriately rigorous periodic review.  The Chair will have an underlying faculty position as a tenured full professor and will receive an administrative salary supplement and other forms of support during their service as Chair. Elements of the appointment such as underlying faculty salary, teaching load, outside engagements, and summer compensation are commensurate with experience and are negotiable.

To Apply 

Stony Brook University has retained Opus Partners (opuspartners.net) to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Senior Partner, and Jeffrey Stafford, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Applications, inquiries, and nominations should be sent to jeffrey.stafford@opuspartners.net. The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. Required application materials include a CV and cover letter. Finalists in the search process will provide at least three (3) contact references who can speak to their leadership and administrative abilities, their management record, and their integrity. Stony Brook University values an inclusive, welcoming environment and will seek a leader who is committed to promoting these values. Candidates can read more about Stony Brook's efforts here. We encourage candidates to address in their cover letters how they have promoted these values in their career and/or how they would plan to do so in this role.  

This national search will continue until the best possible appointment can be made. For full consideration, candidates should complete their dossiers by February 20, 2026. Review of applications will begin shortly thereafter. The full position description can be viewed here.

“Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is safe, accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination, sexual misconduct or research misconduct, among other infractions. In support of this commitment, certain candidates for employment will be required to disclose such employment-related misconduct findings and pending investigations or proceedings, and final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions will authorize their current and previous employer(s) from the last seven (7) years to disclose such information to the University. Employment is contingent on your full and complete disclosure on these matters. In the event that you fail to disclose any such matter or in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome of the disclosure and review process, an offer of employment may be revoked at SBU's sole discretion. If SBU becomes aware of a failure to disclose or misrepresentation of any such matter after your employment commences, you may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.”

The selected candidate must successfully clear a background investigation.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of Stony Brook’s crime statistics is available upon request by calling (631) 632- 6350. It can also be viewed online at the University Police website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/police.