Position Description

Duke University — Pratt School of Engineering
Search for Chair, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE)

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University invites applications and nominations for Chair of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE). We seek an accomplished and forward-looking leader of integrity and scholarly distinction to guide a department recognized for excellence across the environmental, structural, and computational domains of civil and environmental engineering. The successful candidate will join a dynamic community of researchers and educators, fostering an culture in which faculty, students, and staff work together to advance high-impact research, educational innovation, and societal benefit.

About Duke CEE

Duke CEE is an interdisciplinary department committed to research and education in service of a healthy, sustainable, and resilient society. Our research and educational programs span three strategically defined themes: Theoretical, Computational & Applied Mechanics; Environmental Health Engineering; and Systems, Risk & Decisions. These themes reflect areas of long-standing faculty expertise and national leadership, as well as areas of active growth for the department. Duke’s excellence is also recognized externally: our undergraduate and graduate programs in Environmental Engineering are both ranked #9 in the nation by U.S. News.

In recent years, the department has launched several exciting initiatives, including an NSF Engineering Research Center in precision microbiome engineering, an NSF Industry–University Collaborative Research Center in climate risk and insurance, and a new professional master’s program in Climate & Sustainability Engineering. Duke CEE also works closely with the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, the Nicholas School of the Environment, and Duke’s world-class medical and professional schools to connect research, policy, and practice for real-world impact.

Together, these strengths create a vibrant departmental environment characterized by collegiality, innovation, and deep engagement across campus. The next Chair will join a department that is ambitious, collaborative, and well positioned to expand its influence through major research initiatives, strong cross-school partnerships, and a commitment to educating the next generation of engineering leaders.

The Opportunity

The next Chair will be a strategic and action-oriented leader who can advocate effectively for the department, build consensus, and communicate and execute a compelling vision. The Chair will guide departmental growth, deepen engagement with industry and external partners, and champion innovation in both research and education.

We welcome applications from accomplished scholars with diverse experiences and perspectives, including those who have pursued unconventional paths to impact in academia, industry, government, or the nonprofit sector. We seek applicants with a demonstrated record of effective leadership and the ability to navigate complex situations with integrity, clarity, and sound judgment. The successful candidate will inspire excellence; recruit and develop outstanding faculty, staff, and students; and strengthen partnerships across academia, industry, and government. By drawing on a strong record of scholarship and engagement, the Chair will play a central role in enhancing Duke CEE’s visibility, reputation, and influence.

Key Responsibilities

·      Advance the department’s strategic vision to grow student enrollment, promote curricular innovation, and reinforce core research strengths.

·      Recruit, mentor, and retain faculty and staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, performance, equity, and belonging.

·      Steward departmental resources, facilities, and infrastructure, balancing ambition with realism.

·      Promote excellence across undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs, emphasizing experiential learning, data-driven pedagogy, hands-on design, and interdisciplinarity.

·      Cultivate a collegial, inclusive, and supportive climate by being approachable, transparent, respectful, and team-oriented.

·      Represent CEE within Duke and externally to funding agencies, industry, professional societies, and media, advocating for the department’s mission and resource needs.

·      Elevate the department’s national and international visibility through engagement, external collaboration, and scholarly distinction.

Qualifications & Desired Attributes

·      A Ph.D. in civil, environmental, or closely related field of engineering, with excellence in research, external funding, mentorship, and scholarly impact, qualifying the candidate for appointment at the rank of full professor (or equivalent).

·      An outstanding scholarly record that reflects the potential for significant and sustained intellectual contributions to the department in the years ahead.

·      Prior leadership experience in academia (e.g., department chair, center director, or program head) with evidence of effective decision-making and oversight.

·      Demonstrated ability to grow and sustain academic or research programs that advance innovation, collaboration, and visibility.

·      Record of building and maintaining meaningful partnerships with industry, government, nonprofits, or other sectors.

·      Exceptional communication, listening, and consensus-building skills.

·      National or international reputation, as evidenced by interinstitutional collaborations, society fellowships, professional service, and leadership roles.

Application Instructions & Cover Letter Guidance

Applicants should submit the following materials in PDF format via [application portal or email address]:

1. Cover Letter (2–3 pages recommended)
   This letter should:

o   Introduce yourself and describe what aspects of this opportunity motivate you to seek the role at this time and how it aligns with your broader professional goals and vision for your career.

o   Present your vision for the future of civil and environmental engineering – its emerging challenges, opportunities, and directions – and describe how that vision informs your approach to advancing research, education, and engagement.

o   Highlight your record of impactful leadership, particularly in contexts requiring strategic vision, collaboration, and adaptability.

o   Explain your leadership philosophy: how you work with faculty, staff, students, and administrators; how you build trust, listen, and make decisions.

2. Curriculum Vitae, including links or metrics for citation profiles (e.g., Google Scholar) if available.

Review of applications will begin in late January and continue until the position is filled.

Please note that Duke specifically seeks information about past misconduct or policy violations (in the past ten (10) years) and/or relevant pending investigations as part of the application process. Disclosures will not be an automatic bar to hiring but, instead, will initiate further dialogue regarding past actions and steps taken to address them. Disclosures will not be shared with search committees during the application review process.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.