Department Head

The Department Head serves as a member of the College of Engineering leadership team reporting to the Dean and is the department's principal advocate to university leaders, alumni, industry, government sponsors, professional communities, and other external partners. The Department Head will lead the development and execution of a shared strategic vision with departmental faculty; foster excellence in research, education, mentoring, service, and outreach; steward departmental fundraising for resources; and build a culture in which faculty, staff, and students can thrive.

The next Department Head will build on MSE's distinctive strengths in hands-on education, materials innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Priority opportunities include advancing research, graduate education, and undergraduate education; growing undergraduate and graduate enrollment; strengthening industry, national laboratories, and alumni partnerships; broadening the department's visibility and impact; supporting faculty and staff success; and positioning MSE for leadership in advanced manufacturing, energy, microelectronics, health, national security, and sustainable materials.

About the Department

The Virginia Tech MSE department offers B.S., M.S., M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees and is home to more than 20 faculty members whose expertise spans the development, manufacturing, characterization, testing, and application of advanced materials systems. Our research and educational programs encompass metals, ceramics and glasses, polymers, composites, electronic and optical materials, biomaterials, nuclear materials, nanomaterials, and computational materials science. The department is in the midst of an exciting period of growth and transformation as we redefine what materials science and engineering education, research, and impact should look like for the next generation of materials scientists and engineers. Building on our broad technical foundation, we are shaping a department positioned to address emerging challenges in energy, computing, national security, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and other rapidly evolving areas where materials innovation will be essential. MSE's students benefit from a close-knit learning environment, extensive laboratory experiences, undergraduate research, internships and cooperative education, and a distinctive Engineering Communications Program. Faculty and students engage in fundamental and applied collaborative research across the university, with industry, and with government partners.

The MSE department is based in Holden Hall and has specialized characterization, processing, and synthesis laboratories as well as computational facilities in Hancock Hall, Whittemore Hall, the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (CRC), and the Kroehling Advanced Materials Foundry. These facilities support research, teaching, and engagement across the materials lifecycle. MSE also maintains a strong connection with Virginia Tech MADE, the university's center for advanced manufacturing, which brings together strengths in advanced materials, computational design, manufacturing technologies, data analytics, and cyber-infrastructure. In addition, the department has strong connections with the VT Center for Photonics and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, as well as robust interdisciplinary connections to many departments across multiple colleges at VT. The department is home to the Green Engineering Program.

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond. The university's motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), guides its commitment to service, inclusive excellence, and public impact. The main campus is located in Blacksburg, Virginia in the New River Valley, offering an exceptional environment for professional and personal life.

Leadership Responsibilities

Articulate and implement, with the department community, a compelling and actionable strategic vision aligned with the College of Engineering and Virginia Tech. Advance a culture of excellence, collegiality, belonging, transparency, professionalism, and shared responsibility among faculty, staff, and students. Build a connected and high-trust departmental community through visible, approachable, inclusive, and transparent leadership; develop shared ownership and emerging leaders across the faculty and staff; and make timely, accountable decisions that advance agreed-upon priorities. Provide effective academic and administrative leadership for personnel, promotion and tenure, mentoring, budget and resource management, facilities, and departmental operations. Champion high-quality, innovative undergraduate and graduate education, including hands-on learning, communication skills, student recruitment, retention, and career success. Strengthen the department's research enterprise, support interdisciplinary initiatives, and grow partnerships and resources through industry engagement, alumni relations, philanthropy, and sponsored research. Expand external resources through strategic partnerships with industry, alumni, government, and philanthropic supporters, while raising MSE's visibility as a university and national hub for materials science and engineering. Represent and strongly advocate for MSE effectively within the College, university, professional communities, and external stakeholder networks. Recruit, retain, develop, and recognize outstanding faculty and staff; promote the success and well-being of all members of the department.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in materials science and engineering or a closely related field. Demonstrated academic, administrative, or equivalent leadership experience, including the ability to set priorities, make sound decisions, and lead change. Professional accomplishments and experience consistent with appointment as a tenured Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech.

Preferred Qualifications

A record of building consensus, communicating clearly and transparently, and bringing diverse perspectives together around shared goals. Success in mentoring faculty, staff, and students and in developing collaborative, high-performing teams. Experience with financial and personnel management, strategic planning, fundraising, and/or stewardship of complex academic or research operations. Commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive community. Evidence of productive partnerships with industry, government, alumni, professional organizations, and/or interdisciplinary research communities.

Application Process

Applicants must apply online through the Virginia Tech careers website (jobs.vt.edu position # 538091). A complete application should include: 1) a letter of intent (up to 3 pages in length) describing the candidate's leadership approach, vision for research growth, approach to undergraduate and graduate education, and approach to external engagement; 2) a curriculum vitae; and 3) contact information for at least three professional references.

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026. Nominations and inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair Prof. Brian Lattimer (lattimer@vt.edu).

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a respectful and supportive community. The university does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation should contact the search committee chair Prof. Brian Lattimer (lattimer@vt.edu) at least 10 business days before the relevant deadline or event.