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The Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) at the University of South Florida (USF) invites applications for the position of Department Chair. This position offers a leadership opportunity in one of the nation's rapidly rising industrial engineering departments at a top-50 public research university. We seek an accomplished scholar and dynamic leader who will guide a highly productive faculty, respect and strengthen the department's collaborative culture, address faculty and students' needs, and foster continued excellence in research, teaching, and service. The successful candidate is expected to provide strategic vision and day-to-day management for the IMSE Department while advancing its role in achieving the College's strategic mission. Responsibilities include: providing strategic leadership and effective management of departmental operations; promoting a strong research culture aligned with the College's reputation for scholarly impact; advancing excellence in teaching across all programs; recruiting, mentoring, and retaining talented faculty and staff; managing resources and budgets effectively; strengthening relationships with industry partners, alumni, and donors; and collaborating with other department chairs and college leadership.
The IMSE Department currently has 16 full-time faculty members and offers BSIE, MSIE, and Ph.D. degrees in Industrial Engineering, together with an M.S. degree in Engineering Management (MSEM) and an M.S. degree in Data Intelligence (MSDI), and is highly engaged in distance learning. The department currently hosts 266 undergraduates, 125 master's, and 27 full-time doctoral students. IMSE faculty have strong collaborations with other departments within the College of Engineering, the Colleges of AI Cybersecurity and Computing, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Business, and Arts & Sciences. The department has strong ties with various centers and institutes such as the Institute of Applied Engineering, Center for Urban Transportation Research, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, USF Sleep Research Center, and with organizations outside of USF such as City of Tampa, Tampa Electric Company, Tampa General Hospital, and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital.
Established in 1964 and currently led by Dean Levi Thompson, the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is ranked #56 among public institutions (#89 overall) by U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Engineering & Specialties Rankings. The college serves more than 3,700 students, offering nine bachelor's programs as well as 12 master's and eight doctoral degrees. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities, with $46 million in research expenditure for the fiscal year 2023-2024. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology, and transportation.
The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past ten years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Further, USF joined the American Association of Universities (AAU) in 2023. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee, the Florida Board of Governors designated USF as a Preeminent State Research University, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications include: (1) eligibility for appointment as at least a tenured associate professor, with a clear path to promotion to full professor soon after appointment, in an Industrial Engineering department at a Carnegie R1 institution; (2) a doctoral degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited research institution; (3) demonstrated understanding of the industrial engineering discipline and community; (4) proven leadership experience in higher education administration; and (5) commitment to high-quality pedagogy and student development. Preferred qualifications include: (1) eligibility for appointment as a tenured full professor at a Carnegie R1 Industrial Engineering department; (2) a proven commitment to fostering a collegial and supportive departmental culture; (3) demonstrated availability, responsiveness, punctuality, and excellent communication skills; (4) a proven ability to develop and sustain enduring relationships with industry, academic partners, alumni, donors, and sponsors; (5) a strong record of leadership in securing competitive and significant research funding from various sources; (6) a strong record of scholarship with publications in top-tier journals and conferences in industrial engineering research areas aligned with the department's strengths in intelligent decision-making through, among others, optimization, data science, and AI; (7) longstanding engagement in mentoring faculty, students, and staff, to promote their professional development and long-termsuccess; (8) proven leadership in recruiting, program development, team building, and staff supervision; and (9) effective budget management practices in consultation with faculty and staff.
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their interest and qualifications for the position with respect to the above job description, a detailed curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least four professional references who can speak to scholarly achievements, leadership abilities, and administrative experience. The application must also include a statement of leadership philosophy, interests, and strategic vision, as well as a statement describing current research and future research plans. The cover letter should be addressed to Dr. Manjriker Gunaratne, Search Committee Chair, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, Florida, 33620. Review of applications will begin on December 5, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must electronically submit the application packet as one PDF file to this advertisement.
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.