Professor and Chair, Systems Engineering and Operations Research Department (SEOR) - Military Veterans

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: 12-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

The Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) Department offers a BS degree in Systems and Industrial Engineering, an MS in Systems Engineering, an MS in Operations Research, and a PhD in Systems Engineering and Operations Research. The department is home to 20 faculty members and close to 200 students at all levels. Our research portfolio is thriving, with faculty actively engaged in research in a diverse range of fields such as simulation, optimization, machine learning, systems engineering, digital twin, system of systems, defense, transportation, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and sustainability. SEOR graduate programs are ranked 32nd in the US News & World Report category of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Dean of the College, the Department Chair is the chief academic and administrative leader for the department and serves as a key member of the College's leadership team. The Chair of Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) provides vision and leadership to advance the department, positioning the department as a leader in innovation, research, and education in systems engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, and related fields. The Chair of SEOR guides a robust scholarship and research agenda, promotes excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, including the development of collaborative academic programs, and grows the proportion of women and underrepresented minorities in the educational programs.

Responsibilities:

• Chief academic and administrative leader for the department, providing vision and leadership to advance the department, and serving as a key member of the College's leadership team. Interacting with college and university leadership, collaborating on college and university strategic goals;
• Positions the department as a leader in innovation, research, and education in systems engineering, industrial engineering, and operations research. Elevates the status of the department, college, and university among peer institutions and external partners;
• Responsible for personnel hiring, oversight, and development within the Department, including renewal, promotion, and tenure;
• Teaches course(s) each academic year per college workload policy;
• Provides oversight of all educational and research programs within the Department;
• Provides budgetary oversight for the department; and
• Provides oversight of departmental facilities usage.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Must qualify to become a tenured full professor in the department;
• Demonstrated commitment to the effective mentoring of junior faculty;
• Leadership skills and vision to advance the department to new heights, which includes a strong sense of where the field is headed and an understanding of its sub-disciplines;
• Outstanding record in research with a strong record of funding;
• Genuine understanding of the teaching mission, and the importance of providing undergraduate and graduate students with the highest quality educational experience;
• Demonstrated potential for excellence and productivity in research, and a commitment to high-quality teaching;
• Unassailable personal and academic integrity; and
• Strong oral and written communication skills, and a focus on openness and transparency.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous administrative experience; and
• Particularly interested in candidates who can foster strong interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments within the College and across the University.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Professor and Chair, Systems Engineering and Operations Research Department (SEOR) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information; and upload the following required documents:

• Cover Letter describing interest in the position and relevant experience and qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement on vision leadership/management and the future of systems engineering and operations research
• Statement of research
• Statement of teaching philosophy

Posting Open Date: December 17, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: February 3, 2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia?s Technology Corridor

About the College

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC enrolled a record high of 10,933 students in fall 2023. The college has 34 undergraduate, master?s, and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 320 full-time faculty, 93 are tenured, 77 are tenure-track, 90 are term faculty, and 60 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $65 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $119 million in current and anticipated awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architecture, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity for faculty to work with other disciplines.

About the University and the Region

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.

About the Future
In conjunction with Amazon?s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, Mason has committed to accelerate its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university?s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation-a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy-and the expansion of Mason Square, home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse, a new 355,000 square foot building, will open to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by Mason that will rapidly elevate the university?s already leading national position in computing and related areas.