Job description

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University and the McCormick School of Engineering invite nominations and applications for the Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). One of Northwestern’s most interdisciplinary academic units, ECE brings together faculty working across computer engineering; signals and systems; and solid state, photonics, and quantum technologies. Its research spans the intersections of hardware, software, and computation, with faculty contributing to advances in areas ranging from intelligent systems to quantum and nanoengineering. As these fields continue to evolve, the next Chair will have an opportunity to build on the department’s established strengths while helping define its future direction and elevating its national visibility and impact. The successful candidate will also hold the Dever Chair, an endowed professorship recognizing scholarly distinction and supporting the Chair’s academic leadership and research program.

The Chair will lead a department of 33 full-time faculty and approximately 630 undergraduate and graduate students, with a strong record of research achievement and interdisciplinary collaboration. ECE faculty include fellows of IEEE, ACM, Optica, and other leading professional societies, as well as recipients of major research awards and investigators leading federally funded initiatives. Approximately one-third hold joint or courtesy appointments across Northwestern, connecting the department to broader University strengths in materials science, robotics, and human health. Faculty also lead research centers in photonic communication and computing, quantum devices, and ultra-scale computing and information security, while partnerships with Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab extend ECE’s reach into the region’s research ecosystem.

The next Chair will join Northwestern during a period of strategic investment and growth across the McCormick School of Engineering. Plans for faculty expansion and new engineering facilities, together with major University-wide activity in artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and quantum science and technology, offer opportunities to strengthen ECE’s research enterprise and expand its contributions across Northwestern. Working closely with faculty and McCormick leadership, the Chair will help determine where focused investment and strategic recruitment can build distinction, bringing the department’s breadth of expertise together around a shared vision for its future. These decisions will help shape ECE’s intellectual identity and its standing among leading ECE departments in the field.

Reporting to the Dean of the McCormick School of Engineering, the Chair will provide academic, intellectual, and administrative leadership while fostering an environment in which faculty can thrive. Northwestern seeks an accomplished scholar with a distinguished record of research and technical contributions commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, a commitment to excellence in research and education, and a collaborative leadership style that builds trust and encourages collective ambition. With the support of McCormick and the broader University, the next Chair will have the opportunity to guide ECE’s continued growth and strengthen its national visibility and impact.

The expected nine-month academic base salary at the Full Professor level is $190,000 to $250,000 and does not include summer salary. The successful candidate will also hold the Dever Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Final compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, qualifications, and the responsibilities of the role. Sponsorship for an H-1B visa may be available for qualified candidates, subject to institutional policies and applicable immigration regulations.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal competitors; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at Northwestern Benefits to learn more.

How to apply

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/northwestern-university-mccormick-school-engineering-and-applied-science/chair

John Muckle, Partner

Karen MacPhedran, Managing Associate

Damla Williams, Senior Associate

Ethan Thomas, Managing Search Coordinator

Isaacson, Miller

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.