RIT School Head Search: Physics and Astronomy

Finalists have been selected for the position of school head in the School of Physics and Astronomy. As the chief academic, fiscal, and administrative officer of the School, the Head provides leadership, advocacy, oversight, and management. The Head is responsible for overseeing academic, student, faculty, and staff affairs, and for leading the research, scholarship, and operational activities of the School. The daily operation of the School emphasizes an open and inclusive management style that inspires and supports the faculty, staff, and students in their individual and collaborative efforts.

Candidate #4

Interview Dates: Monday, March 24 - Tuesday, March 25

LINK: Feedback Survey 
Survey is closed.

School Head of Physics and Astronomy (9280BR)
The School of Physics and Astronomy (SoPA) in the College of Science (COS) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is inviting applications for the position of Professor and School Head. RIT seeks a visionary and proven dynamic leader to serve as the Head of SoPA who will work with the faculty to implement a shared vision for the future of the School. As the chief academic, fiscal, and administrative officer of the School, the Head provides leadership, advocacy, oversight, and management. The Head is responsible for overseeing academic, student, faculty, and staff affairs, for leading the operational activities of the School, and for helping to facilitate the research, scholarship, teaching, and service/outreach activities of its members. The Head will work closely with the leadership team in COS on strategic planning and interdisciplinary initiatives, and will coordinate the development of a multi-year strategic plan for SoPA to complement those at the College and Institute levels. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing and continually improving the SoPA undergraduate and graduate program;
• Promoting research, scholarship and professional development;
• Encouraging discovery, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning opportunities for faculty, staff, and students;
• Fostering SoPA participation in interdisciplinary projects and programs, internally and externally;
• Fostering excellence in teaching quality and methodology;
• Recruiting and retaining top-tier faculty who are aligned with the strategic plans of SoPA, COS, and RIT;
• Supporting and advocating for faculty, staff, and students at all levels;
• Cultivating existing and prospective donors and research partners; and
• Effectively and equitably managing SoPA financial resources, faculty and staff plans of work, and space and facilities.

The successful candidate will be appointed with tenure at a faculty rank commensurate with previous experience, abilities, and qualities of leadership. SoPA Head appointments have five-year terms. The appointment as School Head is that of an employee at will, and continues at the sole discretion of the COS Dean.

We are seeking an individual who has the ability and interest in contributing to a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect, diversity and pluralism; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT’s core values, honor code, and statement of diversity.

College of Science 2019-2025
2019-2025 Strategic Plan 
The College of Science will be recognized as a national model for its significant contribution and impact in making our communities and our world better, fair, diverse, and inclusive. We prepare graduates for careers in the physical, life, and mathematical sciences and provide mathematical and scientific foundations for all RIT students through academic programs and impactful, innovative research.

The RIT campus is about six miles from downtown Rochester—just minutes away if you want to explore and enjoy the city’s entertainment, cultural, and employment opportunities. Rochester is large enough to provide the dining and nightlife opportunities you might expect in a bigger city, yet small and friendly enough to be inviting and accessible.

About Rochester, NY

Co-Chairs

George Thurston 
Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy

Jan van Aardt 
Director of Carlson Center for Imaging Science

Search Committee

Michelle Chabot
Principal Lecturer, School of Physics and Astronomy

Rebecca Day
Senior Staff Specialist, School of Physics and Astronomy

Jeyhan Kartaltepe
Associate Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy

Shima Parsa
Assistant Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy

Ke Xu
Assistant Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy

Michael Zemcov
Associate Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy