"Department Chair- Biomedical Engineering"

Job Details

The University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (UWBME) in the College of Engineering. The department is a vibrant and growing unit, currently enrolling 695 undergraduates, 107 graduate students across master’s and doctoral programs.

The Chair will enter the College of Engineering at a transformative period of major investments designed to enhance the growth and development of the college and department. These investments include the Phillip A Levy Engineering Center, a $420 million investment in state-of-the-art facilities for learning and discovery. This 395,000-square-foot facility will be the centerpiece of our engineering campus and will feature shared laboratories that unite faculty, staff and students from all engineering disciplines around a common challenge.

The Dean of Engineering has committed to expanding the Biomedical Engineering department with additional space renovations and startup costs for new faculty leading research. As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the department’s future—leading strategic growth, expanding academic programs, recruiting top-tier faculty, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate the department’s national and international profile through partnerships with industry leaders and to contribute to the broader growth of engineering at UW Madison.

UW Biomedical Engineering is home to 25 core faculty members, five teaching faculty and seven administrative staff. In addition, the department includes 62 affiliated faculty from different colleges and schools on campus. The department operates with an annual state expenditure of $3.5 million and supports over $9 million in research expenditures. The Chair is responsible for leading all aspects of the department’s growth and functions. The role reports directly to the Dean of the College of Engineering. The selected candidate will be appointed as the Peter Tong Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. This endowed chair position will include investiture and discretionary resources. The initial term of appointment is five years, subject to annual review, and is eligible for reappointment.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Departmental Leadership:

• Promote a vision and mission for the department consistent with current and future needs within the COE and UW-Madison
• Manage the administrative, financial, and space components of the department
• Enhance the national and international recognition of the department
• Promote and support high-impact research initiatives
• Enhance current development efforts by engaging alumni and external partners
• Be dedicated to the instructional mission of the department, college and university

Faculty & Staff Oversight, Recruitment, and Development:

• Support and promote the teaching, research, and service activities of the department’s faculty members
• Identify areas of current and future faculty needs for the department’s research and teaching missions
• Lead faculty recruitment efforts in conjunction with departmental faculty
• Mentor and support junior and senior faculty in their professional growth

College Leadership:

• Serve on the Dean’s Leadership Council with other department Chairs and Associate Deans
• Reports to the Dean of COE

Department: College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Compensation: Negotiable – 9 months / ongoing / renewable

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated intellectual leadership and administrative skills in an academic/university environment or equivalent
• Expresses a clear vision for the future for the department
• Established record of professional activities and leadership in professional organizations
• Have credentials commensurate with appointment as full professor with tenure in the department

Education: Doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or closely related physical or biological sciences

How to Apply: Please upload a SINGLE PDF with the following materials: A cover letter outlining their vision for the department and relevant leadership experience; A curriculum vitae highlighting research accomplishments (including complete list of publications), teaching, mentoring experience and administrative roles. The deadline for assuring full consideration is November 21, 2025. However, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered, until this position is filled.

Contact Information: Professor Darryl Thelen, Search Committee Chair, dgthelen@wisc.edu

Additional Information

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Research in the department spans six key focus areas: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Imaging and Optics, Biomechanics, Medical and Microdevices, Neuroengineering, Systems and Synthetic Biology. UWBME has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments in the College of Engineering, as well as with the School of Medicine and Public Health, School of Pharmacy, School of Nursing, School of Veterinary Medicine, and numerous research centers. These include the Carbone Cancer Center, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Cardiovascular Research Center, McPherson Eye Research Institute, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, and the Morgridge Institute for Research. According to the 2024–25 U.S. News & World Report, UWBME is ranked #8 among public universities for graduate biomedical engineering programs.