Job Description

The Department of Systems and Information Engineering (SIE) within the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at the University of Virginia invites applications for the position of department chair. For 50 years, our department has been dedicated to academic excellence, training generations of leaders in engineering and business. We now seek a visionary leader and world-class scholar with a strong presence in the systems / industrial engineering community, someone who can foster a collaborative, innovative, and supportive environment, and who will lead the department to the next level.

About Us

The Department of Systems and Information Engineering is advancing the boundaries of knowledge in three core areas: Human-Technology Interaction, Operations Research/Analytics, and Information & Intelligent Automation. Newly developed approaches have produced advances in domains as varied as aviation safety, juvenile diabetes, manufacturing, precision medicine and surgery. Through all our work, we seek to benefit society by fostering safety, efficiency and sound decision-making.

The department is the proud academic home to 22 faculty members, staff, and a vibrant community of ~150 graduate students and ~300 undergraduate students (2nd–4th years). We adopt systems thinking to make sense of the complexity of the world to tackle societal challenges. The department manages an extensive research portfolio with funding from industry, federal agencies, and private foundations, leveraging several departmental and multidisciplinary research facilities and centers across the school and university. These support projects enabling faculty and students to pursue research in numerous dimensions of systems engineering, including operations research, systems and control, decision theory, robotics, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), human factors, human-computer interaction (HCI), risk analysis, and financial engineering.

The Position

The new chair will provide leadership for the Department of Systems and Information Engineering, guiding initiatives in strategic planning, faculty and staff development, alumni engagement, and the recruitment of future faculty leaders. The chair will oversee the department’s budget and serve as a key liaison with the School of Engineering and Applied Science and University leadership, fostering relationships built on integrity, transparency, and collaboration.

This role requires a leader with strong management and outreach skills, administrative acumen, and a record of impactful research and teaching. The chair should have a strong reputation in systems / industrial engineering and act as a liaison between the department and the broader systems engineering community in academia and industry.

Responsibilities

• Continue to build the strategic vision and objectives of the SIE department.
• Build and enhance the reputation of SIE at UVA and beyond in the broader systems engineering community.
• Play a key role in supporting and advocating for department programs and initiatives to SEAS and University leadership.
• Play a key role in maintaining alumni engagement and involvement.
• Aid in the department’s assessments and accreditation process.
• Work closely with department staff on budgetary and administrative aspects essential for operational success.
• Work closely with the faculty and staff within the department to improve the quality of its undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Support, guide, and mentor faculty, students, and staff in a transparent manner to provide a positive and accountable experience.
• Provide leadership in the development and management of departmental resources.
• Play a key role in the assignment and evaluation of the department's faculty and staff service to the department, school, and university.
• Foster excellence in teaching, scholarship, and outreach for faculty and students in the department.
• Support and enable scientific discovery through collaborations within the department and across the University
• Productively manage, support, and advocate for the departmental staff.
• Facilitate open communication and manage conflict resolution with students, faculty, and staff.
• Serve as a contributing member of the SEAS leadership team.
• Work effectively to foster a supportive community of students, faculty, and staff within the department.

About the School of Engineering and Applied Science

The UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) brings global challenges into our classrooms and laboratories, giving students opportunities to work closely with world-renowned researchers on issues that have a societal impact. This approach means our students are ready to tackle future challenges and to become leaders in their fields. Our internationally recognized research programs are focused on developing interdisciplinary solutions to society’s greatest challenges, while educating the next generation of engineering leaders. Our research spans disciplinary boundaries to make real change for the benefit of society. Major research areas at UVA Engineering include engineering for a sustainable and connected world, engineering for medicine, and engineering for the cyber future.

About the University of Virginia

UVA is a highly selective undergraduate and graduate institution that annually ranks as one of the premiere public universities in the United States with one of the highest graduation rates in the nation. UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia, a picturesque and vibrant small city consistently recognized as one of the nation's top places to reside. UVA's location offers proximity to Washington D.C., enriching opportunities for collaboration and engagement with numerous federal agencies. More information about the city, the school, faculty benefits and other topics can be found here

Qualifications

Qualified candidates must hold a PhD in systems engineering, industrial engineering, or closely related technical field and demonstrate sufficient qualifications for appointment as a tenured faculty member at the professor level as outlined in the School’s guidelines

Application Instructions

Apply for this position in Interfolio Provide the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter that summarizes your areas of research/scholarship, and areas of potential collaboration at the University of Virginia. The letter should also describe your leadership philosophy and experience and aspects of your professional development that have prepared you for the position of Chair of Systems and Information Engineering;
• Curriculum vitae;
• A statement describing your current research, future directions, and broader impacts;
• A statement describing your teaching and mentoring practices, especially in regard to a residential learning environment marked by the free and collegial exchange of ideas;
• A list of 3-5 references with contact details.

Review of candidates will begin on March 30, 2026 and will continue until filled.

For questions regarding the position, please contact Nikolaos Sidiropoulos, Search Committee Chair, at nikos@virginia.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment

The University of Virginia offers confidential Dual Career Services to partners of incoming faculty candidates. To learn more, please visit dualcareer.virginia.edu