Job Prospectus for Department Head, Nuclear Engineering

Raleigh, NC | Winter 2025
The NC State Department of Nuclear Engineering

The Nuclear Engineering Department at NC State is one of the premier nuclear engineering departments in the United States, home to the first university-based nuclear reactor for teaching and research, and consistently ranked #3 in the nation for graduate studies. The department has a diverse research portfolio with four major focus areas: (1) Reactor Systems Engineering, (2) Radiation Interactions and Detection, (3) Plasma Science and Engineering, and (4) Nuclear Fuel and Materials. Additional research is performed in cross-cutting areas, including modeling and simulation, waste management, and nuclear security. The department operates a 1 MW pool-type PULSTAR research reactor and associated facilities, which serve as the foundation of the Nuclear Reactor Program dedicated to research, teaching, and extension. The Department offers a creative and collegial atmosphere, dedication to excellence in research and teaching, including distance Masters and Ph.D. programs, and a growing undergraduate program. With support from the state, in-depth feasibility studies have been performed towards building a new advanced research reactor and a molten salt loop on campus that will be managed and operated by the department.

The Opportunity
NC State invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Head, Nuclear Engineering. The Department Head will hold the rank of Professor with tenure and provide energetic and visionary leadership to a department with very high expectations and goals in the areas of teaching, research, and service. The Department Head will report to the Dean and oversee all academic, administrative, and budgetary matters for the Department, and will represent the Department to the College, University Administration, and external groups and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities of the Position

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a strategic vision for the department that aligns with the university's mission and goals and fosters innovation and growth in research, education, and outreach.
• Academic Excellence: Promote academic excellence by supporting faculty in their teaching and research endeavors, ensuring high-quality educational programs, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Faculty Development: Recruit, retain, and develop a talented faculty, providing mentorship and support for their professional growth and success, including distinct career paths for tenure-track and professional faculty.
• Research and Innovation: Foster a culture of research excellence, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and secure external funding for research initiatives. Support faculty in their pursuit of cutting-edge research and innovation.
• Student Success: Promote student success by overseeing curriculum development, academic advising, and student engagement activities, as well as by ensuring that students have access to resources that enhance their learning experience.
• Budget and Resource Management: Manage departmental budgets effectively, allocate resources efficiently, and seek external funding opportunities to support departmental initiatives and priorities.
• Collaboration: Collaborate across the College of Engineering, the university, and external partners to advance the department's goals, strengthen the college's collective impact, and contribute to the university's broader mission.
• Community Engagement: Foster relationships with industry, government agencies, alumni, and other stakeholders to enhance the department's impact and relevance.
• Administrative Oversight: Provide effective administrative leadership by overseeing departmental operations, including personnel management, facilities, and equipment, and by promoting a transparent decision-making process within the department.

Minimum Education and Experience:
The ideal candidate for this position must possess a doctoral degree in Nuclear Engineering or a related field and credentials to be appointed at the rank of Professor with tenure in the department.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to academic and research excellence aligned with the standards of a major research university
• Outstanding record of accomplishment in research, teaching, administration, and leadership
• Proven ability to cultivate a highly productive, collaborative academic environment
• Experience leading and managing programs, people, and organizational change in research-intensive university settings
• Strong track record of collaboration with faculty, students, staff, administration, alumni, industry partners, departmental partners, and funding agencies
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

How to Apply:

• Inquiries and nominations are invited and may be directed to: NC State Executive Search Services: Justin Lang, at 919-513-1963 or jdlang2@ncsu.edu.
• Applications must be submitted online at jobs.ncsu.edu (position #00100439)
• Confidential review of applications will begin February 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
• Candidates should provide: Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Research Statement (2-3 pages), Teaching Statement (1-2 pages), Names and contact information for five professional references

Nuclear Engineering, by the Numbers
NC State's Department of Nuclear Engineering is a nationally prominent, research-intensive department with strong momentum in faculty growth, student enrollment, and sponsored research. Faculty: 27 tenured and tenure-track faculty, plus 5 professional-track faculty, 5 emeritus faculty, and 8 adjunct faculty. Research Staff: 16 research and postdoctoral scholars. Enrollment (Fall 2024): 165 Undergraduate students plus 188 Graduate students across master's and doctoral programs (on-campus and distance). Research Funding: More than $28 million in annual research expenditures and $15 million in new awards (2024), reflecting a robust and diversified sponsored research portfolio. Scholarly Output: Over 120 refereed journal publications authored or co-authored by faculty in 2024. Degrees Awarded: 67 degrees conferred from Fall 2023 through Summer 2024, including 15 Ph.D. graduates. National Leadership: 7 DOE CINR awards in 2024 totaling more than $7 million, with 3 awards led by NC State, underscoring national leadership in nuclear engineering research.