Senior Level Department Chair Jobs
Senior level department chair jobs place experienced academic leaders in charge of curriculum direction, faculty development, and the institutional outcomes their departments are accountable for. Openings are concentrated across Education and Healthcare & Medical Services, with 7% remote or hybrid availability, and employers like University of Pittsburgh, Florida International University, and Virginia Commonwealth University hiring at this level now.
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The Department of Physics at UTEP has rapidly growing research programs in experimental, computational, and theoretical physics with 24 faculty members, 5 postdoctoral researchers, 4 research assistant professors, and 3 lecturers. The research areas of the physics faculty include chemical physics, magnetism, energy storage, quantum physics, quantum computation and quantum information, quantum optics, density functional theory, atmospheric physics, physics of materials in extreme environment, optical spectroscopy & microscopy, functional materials, nuclear theory, astrophysics, nano- and biomaterials, and experimental and computational biophysics. The department has access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities for optical, microscopic, magnetic, and structural characterizations of materials, as well as outstanding computational capabilities. The department faculty has access to facilities at several national laboratories, for example, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Los Alamos National Laboratory, through active collaborations or user-proposal routes. The Department offers B.S. in Physics, M.S. in Physics, and Ph.D. in Physics with an emphasis on quantum science. Our faculty also contribute to other interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs at UTEP in Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, Computational Science, Data Science, and Biomedical Engineering. The department is committed to student success, preparing the next generation physicists with knowledge, skills and visions. The Department of Physics has initiated an annual seminar series at UTEP in recognition of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. Efforts like this have exemplified UTEP's broader commitment to excellence through inclusivity by offering other students from El Paso's community as well as from developing nations an opportunity to excel in physics.
The College of Science at The University of Texas at El Paso is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Chair of the Physics Department. The Chair will join a multidisciplinary, collaborative, growing department with research activities spanning diverse areas of astrophysics, atmospheric physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, magnetism, molecular physics, nuclear theory, optical spectroscopy, and quantum information science with broad applications in energy storage, functional materials, nano- and bio-materials. The successful candidate is expected to be an active researcher with a vision for developing research initiatives and strengthening collaborations and partnerships, and a strong leader with program, interpersonal, and personnel management skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate and graduate student success serving UTEP's mission of access and excellence as a premier Hispanic Serving Institution.
Job Requirements:
- PhD in a discipline appropriate for the Department of Physics
- Current academic rank of tenured full professor (or equivalent rank)
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Excellent record of program, people, time, and financial management
- Outstanding record of research, mentoring, and teaching
- Commitment to the core values of collaboration, innovation, and accessibility
Additional Information:
In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.
For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.
To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.
The Department of Physics at UTEP has rapidly growing research programs in experimental, computational, and theoretical physics with 24 faculty members, 5 postdoctoral researchers, 4 research assistant professors, and 3 lecturers. The research areas of the physics faculty include chemical physics, magnetism, energy storage, quantum physics, quantum computation and quantum information, quantum optics, density functional theory, atmospheric physics, physics of materials in extreme environment, optical spectroscopy & microscopy, functional materials, nuclear theory, astrophysics, nano- and biomaterials, and experimental and computational biophysics. The department has access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities for optical, microscopic, magnetic, and structural characterizations of materials, as well as outstanding computational capabilities. The department faculty has access to facilities at several national laboratories, for example, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Los Alamos National Laboratory, through active collaborations or user-proposal routes. The Department offers B.S. in Physics, M.S. in Physics, and Ph.D. in Physics with an emphasis on quantum science. Our faculty also contribute to other interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs at UTEP in Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, Computational Science, Data Science, and Biomedical Engineering. The department is committed to student success, preparing the next generation physicists with knowledge, skills and visions. The Department of Physics has initiated an annual seminar series at UTEP in recognition of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. Efforts like this have exemplified UTEP's broader commitment to excellence through inclusivity by offering other students from El Paso's community as well as from developing nations an opportunity to excel in physics.
The College of Science at The University of Texas at El Paso is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Chair of the Physics Department. The Chair will join a multidisciplinary, collaborative, growing department with research activities spanning diverse areas of astrophysics, atmospheric physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, magnetism, molecular physics, nuclear theory, optical spectroscopy, and quantum information science with broad applications in energy storage, functional materials, nano- and bio-materials. The successful candidate is expected to be an active researcher with a vision for developing research initiatives and strengthening collaborations and partnerships, and a strong leader with program, interpersonal, and personnel management skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate and graduate student success serving UTEP's mission of access and excellence as a premier Hispanic Serving Institution.
Job Requirements:
- PhD in a discipline appropriate for the Department of Physics
- Current academic rank of tenured full professor (or equivalent rank)
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Excellent record of program, people, time, and financial management
- Outstanding record of research, mentoring, and teaching
- Commitment to the core values of collaboration, innovation, and accessibility
Additional Information:
In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.
For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.
To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.
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Senior Level Department Chair Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level department chair job?
Candidates who land senior level department chair roles typically bring a combination of deep subject-matter credibility and demonstrated leadership over faculty, budgets, and academic programs. Search committees look for evidence that you have shaped curriculum, led accreditation efforts, or grown a department's reputation. A strong publication or administrative portfolio, internal advocacy from faculty, and experience managing conflict or institutional change all give you an edge at this stage.
Which companies hire senior level department chairs?
Companies hiring senior level department chairs right now include University of Pittsburgh, Florida International University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring comes primarily from universities, four-year colleges, and large community college systems that need proven academic administrators to lead established or growing departments.
Are there remote senior level department chair jobs?
Yes, though most department chair roles carry on-site responsibilities tied to faculty oversight and student engagement. About 7% of senior level department chair openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common at institutions that have expanded online program delivery and need chairs who can lead distributed faculty teams.
What makes a department chair role senior level?
Senior level department chair roles carry full ownership of a department's academic direction, including hiring decisions, budget authority, accreditation compliance, and faculty performance management. Unlike mid-level coordinator or program director positions, senior chairs are expected to mentor junior faculty, represent the department in institutional governance, and drive long-term strategic planning rather than simply implementing policies set by others.
Which industries hire the most senior level department chairs?
Senior Level department chair roles concentrate in Education and Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they operate accredited academic programs with complex faculty structures that require experienced administrators to maintain quality, manage compliance, and lead departmental growth.