| Location | Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Department/Organization
Dean's Office - Engineering
Rank
Associate/Full Professor
Position Summary
The Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering at The University of Alabama invites applications for its Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. The Associate Dean provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight for graduate programs and postdoctoral training in the College. The Associate Dean also will work closely with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and the Associate Dean for Student Success in the College to ensure that the efforts and connections between their office and activities synergistically support student education and success across the College. The Associate Dean is responsible for enhancing the quality and competitiveness of the college’s graduate programs, overseeing recruitment, retention, and professional development for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, and fostering a supportive and inclusive academic environment. The position plays a crucial role in advancing the College’s research mission by ensuring that its graduate programs align with cutting-edge industry trends and the frontiers of innovation in engineering and computer science, that its programs academically prepare our graduate students and post-doctoral scholars to advance the boundaries of science and engineering, and that our graduates possess the knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles as they transition to the next phase of their careers.
Detailed Position Information
The Styslinger College of Engineering (SCoE: https://eng.ua.edu/) at The University of Alabama (UA: https://ua.edu/) invites applications for its Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. Reporting to the Dean of the Styslinger College of Engineering, the Associate Dean is a member of the SCoE executive leadership team and also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC) for the Styslinger College of Engineering along with other Associate Deans in the College, the Department Heads for all of the departments within the College, and the heads of other major College units. The Associate Dean serves at the pleasure of the Dean, with the position nominally being a 5-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal following review.
Candidates with prestigious achievements, significant impact in their fields, and exceptional national and international reputations will be eligible for consideration for significant endowment support through appointment as an Endowed Shelby Distinguished Professor (https://provost.ua.edu/the-shelby-endowment-for-distinguished-faculty/). These Shelby Distinguished Professor positions are one of the highest honors bestowed upon faculty at The University of Alabama, and candidates who feel their record and accomplishments warrant consideration for this additional honor should indicate this in their cover letter.
Key responsibilities include:
Graduate Program Academic Leadership and Program Development
• Provide strategic leadership for the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of graduate programs (M.S. and Ph.D.) across all engineering and computer science departments.
• Collaborate with Department Heads, Associate Heads of Graduate Studies, and Graduate Program Directors to ensure graduate academic programs align with the college's strategic goals and maintain academic rigor and relevance to industry, academia, government, and societal needs.
• Oversee the development and implementation of new graduate degree programs, concentrations, and interdisciplinary initiatives that reflect the evolving landscape of engineering and computer science research and practice.
• Ensure compliance with university, state, and accreditation policies for graduate education, and support the preparation of self-studies and reports for internal and external reviews.
Graduate Student Recruitment and Admissions
• Oversee continuous assessment and evaluation of graduate programs to ensure academic rigor, quality improvement, and compliance with accreditation standards.
• Develop and lead college-wide recruitment strategies to attract top-tier domestic and international graduate students, working closely with Department Heads, Associate Heads of Graduate Studies, Graduate Program Directors, the UA Graduate School, university admissions, and other key partners.
• Oversee and enhance the graduate admissions process, ensuring equitable, transparent, and competitive procedures for selecting highly qualified students.
• Work closely with the Dean, faculty, and external partners to increase financial support for graduate students, including fellowships, assistantships, grants, and scholarships.
Graduate Student Development and Success
• Foster a supportive environment that promotes the success and well-being of graduate students, including initiatives related to academic advising, mentorship, and career development.
• Design and implement programs and resources that support graduate students in their academic progression, research, and professional development, with a focus on enhancing recruitment, retention and timely degree completion.
• Lead efforts to promote the development of transferable skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entrepreneurship opportunities for graduate students.
• Oversee initiatives that provide academic and career support for international students, underrepresented groups, and non-traditional students.
• Work closely with the College’s Assistant Dean for Student Success to both leverage and support activities and programs overseen by that office which can contribute to supporting graduate student success and which may impact undergraduate student success through involvement of graduate students.
Postdoctoral Affairs
• Provide oversight and support for the postdoctoral experience within the Styslinger College of Engineering, ensuring that postdoctoral scholars have access to professional development, research opportunities, and career advancement resources.
• Develop and lead programs that enhance postdoctoral scholars’ training, including mentorship programs, teaching opportunities, and pathways for academic and industry careers.
• Advocate for postdoctoral scholars within the college and across the university, addressing issues related to work-life balance, mental health, and career trajectories.
• Collaborate with central university offices to ensure postdoctoral policies and practices meet national best practices and the unique needs of scholars.
Research and Fellowship Funding
• Support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in securing external funding through fellowships, grants, and sponsored research opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Office of Research to identify and promote funding opportunities, ensuring students and postdoctoral scholars are well-prepared to write competitive grant proposals.
• Oversee the allocation and management of internal fellowship programs and other financial awards for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Collaboration and Strategic Planning
• Serve as a key member of the college’s leadership team, contributing to strategic planning for graduate and postdoctoral education and research.
• Collaborate with faculty, department leadership, College leadership, and leadership across the university including Center and Institute leadership to foster interdisciplinary research and educational opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
• Work with university-level graduate and postdoctoral offices to align college programs with broader institutional goals and initiatives.
• Represent the College of Engineering on university committees, national forums, and external collaborations related to graduate education and postdoctoral affairs.
• Collaborate with the Dean, development office, and alumni relations to identify and secure resources that support graduate initiatives, including scholarships, fellowships, endowed programs, and co-curricular opportunities.
Student Academic Policies and Processes Management
• Oversee academic and research misconduct processes at the College level for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Manage academic review and academic standing processes for graduate students in the College, including processing academic probation and suspension cases for graduate students.
• Manage academic grievance matters pertaining to graduate students.
Graduate Student Recruitment and Pipeline Development
• Lead and coordinate the college’s graduate recruitment strategies to attract an academically talented student body, working closely with the College’s departments, the UA Graduate School, and the university admissions, recruiting, and marketing teams.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other peer engineering and science programs at leading universities across the nation and around the world to create a strong pipeline of prospective graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Oversee outreach programs and initiatives that engage undergraduate students such as REU programs designed to build interest in engineering and computer science graduate programs here at UA.
Faculty and Curriculum Development
• Oversee faculty participation in graduate teaching and ensure faculty engagement in graduate curriculum development, teaching quality, and student mentoring.
Minimum Qualifications
Earned Ph.D. in engineering, computer science, or a closely related field.
• Experience as a tenured faculty member in an engineering, computer science, or related department with 5+ years of graduate teaching and mentoring experience.
• Experience in a College of Engineering or similar academic unit at a research-intensive institution (R1).
• Strong track record as a research active and accomplished scholar who has developed and sustained an extramurally funded research program and who has used that research program as an environment in which to educate and train both graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to foster collaboration across diverse groups.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build consensus among faculty, staff, and administration.
Preferred Qualifications
Credentials and a record commensurate with being appointed as a tenured Professor in one of the seven departments in the UA College of Engineering. • Administrative experience such as university administrative experience in an R1 university College of Engineering at a departmental, research center, or higher level. • Experience with graduate program development and management at a departmental level or higher. • Familiarity with national and international trends in graduate education in engineering and computer science, including online learning and degree programs.
Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Required application documents include a: (1) cover letter that includes the name of the position and rank for which the candidate is applying, (2) a resume/curriculum vitae, (3) a 5 page or less statement that explains how the experience and qualifications of the candidate make them an excellent choice for the position, and (4) the names and contact information for at least three professional references whom the candidate feels can speak to the qualifications of the individual for the position. Applications are preferred on or before October 20, 2026 to receive fullest consideration, but the search will continue until the positions are filled. A position start date of August 2027 or earlier is expected and is negotiable.
About the Division/College/School
As the premier flagship university for the state of Alabama and as one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering instruction, The University of Alabama (UA) has more than 175 years of proud engineering history. UA’s Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering is committed to conducting cutting-edge research that advances the frontiers of science and engineering, translating such fundamental advancements through applied research and technology commercialization into impactful solutions which improve the human condition and address the challenges facing humankind, and using that immersive research environment to provide unparalleled educational experiences and opportunities for our students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a College, we pride ourselves on educating and preparing the next generation of engineering and computer science scholars and professionals who will positively shape the future around us. Through our educational, research, and service activities that support our overall vision to be one of the most impactful engineering programs in the nation, our College continues to provide leadership in the many professional disciplines represented by our College and to the community, state, and nation as we advance our professions, the economy, and the lives of all those whom we serve.
The College is comprised of seven departments: Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics; Chemical and Biological Engineering; Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. These departments currently deliver 14 different undergraduate and 17 different graduate degree programs. Overall, the College enrolls approximately 6,000 students, making it one of the largest colleges out of the more than 40,000 students on UA’s campus.
While the university has been on a constant mission to advance in every aspect of its operations since its inception, UA has in particular seen transformative growth in its research enterprise and impact over the past decade. Through the efforts of The University, UA Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED), the Styslinger College of Engineering and its’ centers, departments, and faculty, UA’s research enterprise has surged dramatically higher in the last five to ten years. This recent and continuing steep growth rate of research has positioned UA as one of the fastest growing research institutions in the nation. More specifically, the College has seen annual research awards and expenditures grow at an average of more than 25% per year for more than the last 5 years, now surpassing $100 million annually in new research awards. By more than doubling research over the past 5 to 7 years, the size of the graduate programs across the College have more than doubled as well. The continued ambitious growth of research programs amongst our existing faculty and research centers combined with the recent significant additions of a large number of new tenure-track and tenured faculty, particularly the addition of more than 80 such new highly research active faculty over the past four years, has positioned the College for maintaining this steep trajectory of research growth and impact well into the future.
The educational activities of the Styslinger College of Engineering and its constantly increasing volume of impactful research are enabled and supported by a tremendous combination of amazing faculty and staff, an outstanding array of modern new facilities that are the envy of its peers, and a world-class student body at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College currently has more than 185 faculty members, which includes the significant infusion of both young and experienced faculty talent over the past four years that was mentioned earlier. This year again there are plans to add yet another new cohort of tenure-track and tenured faculty to the College across all of its departments. In terms of facilities, the College has one of the largest overall footprints of any college at UA, currently occupying all or significant portions of 17 different facilities across campus. Some of the most recent additions to that space are the state-of-the-art facilities provided for many of the College’s departments in the recently completed Shelby Science and Engineering Quad that was built at a cost approaching $400 million.
In addition to the traditional engineering departments and their facilities, there are also more than 10 different major research centers housed within the College that span and support a wide-ranging set of research thrust areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, functional polymers and soft matter, water resources and water technology, advanced transportation and vehicle technology, and more. These centers bring together faculty from across the College and the University to capitalize on emerging technological opportunities and to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing the planet both today and well into the future. In addition to these College research centers, a number of university-level research institutes and centers, including the Alabama Water Institute, the Alabama Transportation Institute, and the Alabama Mobility and Power Center, also provide support and infrastructure to an array of research thrusts and projects that engage faculty from across the College and University. This synergistic combination of outstanding people, facilities, and resources will continue to fuel the Styslinger College of Engineering’s advancement and growth in education and research well into the future.
It is indeed an exciting time to join The University of Alabama and the Styslinger College of Engineering. The College recently embarked on its “Top-30+ by ‘30” initiative which aims to have the College and all of its departments and programs achieve top-30 impact in all dimensions of our operations by 2030. Those impacts and dimensions include offering a comprehensive set of innovative degree program covering the full spectrum of engineering and computer science fields, enrolling a number of students and conferring a number of degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to be one of the largest producers of engineering talent in the nation, achieving continued outstanding growth in research awards and expenditures to enable continued expansion of our graduate programs and research activities, continuing to scale scholarly research productivity to be a major force in pushing the frontiers of our disciplines, and to playing an ever more important role in shaping our disciplines and the future of computer science, engineering, and technology through local, national and international service. To achieve those goals, the College, with strong support of the University, is deploying substantial resources in hiring new faculty, developing new facilities including both laboratory and computing resources, and expanding our research and educational programs. These activities present an outstanding opportunity here at The University of Alabama for individuals to fulfill their career objectives and dreams as a faculty member in an environment that can fully support their development as an excellent scholar, researcher, and teacher.
About the University
The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure’s 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation’s premier universities, UA offers bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.
In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.
UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of only 12 universities in the nation to receive both honors.
For reasons like this, the University made Forbes list of America’s Top Colleges for 2023 and Time magazine’s list of Top 50 Best Colleges for Future Leaders. It also made Princeton Review’s list of Top Value Colleges.
UA is also designated among the top doctoral research universities in the United States in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. One of the fastest growing major research institutions in the nation, UA saw a 21% increase in sponsored awards in the 2023 fiscal year.
Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., “The Alabama Research Institutes”), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies.
The University employs nearly 2,100 faculty and over 4,500 staff, with 52 UA researchers included in the National Academy of Inventors. An additional 40 current faculty have received the NSF CAREER Award, the nation’s most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences.
Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.