Dean of the School of Engineering

The role:

As Dean of the School of Engineering, you will provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership for one of NU’s most important and rapidly evolving academic units. You will lead a comprehensive suite of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes across core and emerging engineering fields, ensuring they meet global standards while addressing national priorities.

A key part of your mission will be to strengthen the school’s research profile, driving excellence in high‑impact research, innovation, and industry collaboration. You will oversee curriculum development, accreditation and quality assurance processes, faculty recruitment and development, and the enhancement of student learning and graduate outcomes. You will cultivate an ambitious, collaborative culture across the school, champion interdisciplinary programmes, and support NU’s expanding innovation ecosystem, including major investments in science and technology infrastructure.

Building strategic partnerships with leading global universities and industry partners will be central to your role, as will representing NU in international academic and professional fora. You will play a pivotal role in advancing engineering as a discipline at NU and in supporting Kazakhstan’s wider technological and economic development.

The ideal candidate:

NU is seeking a distinguished academic with a substantial record of achievement and leadership in a research‑intensive engineering environment. You should have the academic credentials for appointment as a Full Professor, a strong research portfolio and successful experience in senior academic leadership at the level of Dean, Associate/Vice Dean, Department Chair, or equivalent.

You will bring a record of curriculum innovation, research leadership, quality assurance, and accreditation (such as ABET or equivalent), as well as experience working with industry partners on research, innovation, and workforce-aligned education. Evidence of doctoral supervision, externally funded research, and the development of global academic partnerships will be highly desirable.

You will be an inclusive, collaborative, and inspiring leader committed to advancing academic excellence, nurturing faculty talent, and ensuring outstanding student experience and graduate employability.

Nazarbayev University has engaged the services of Odgers to assist with this appointment.

For further information on the role, including a candidate briefing document, or for a confidential discussion about the position and details of how to apply, please visit www.odgers.com/95895.