Description

The School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University invites applications for Director of the Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE). ISDE advances the nation’s sustained operations and critical infrastructure in space and contested environments by developing radiation-tolerant electronics, resilient communications, space nuclear power systems, autonomous and AI-enabled space platforms, and hardened sensing technologies. The School seeks a visionary leader to chart ISDE’s next phase of innovation and impact.

The successful candidate—appointed at the rank of tenured professor—will have an outstanding record of research achievement; demonstrated success building strategic partnerships with the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and the commercial space sector; and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration across Vanderbilt. The Director will provide strategic leadership; expand ISDE’s internationally recognized strengths in extreme-environment microelectronics and radiation effects; grow a diversified research portfolio and extramural funding; foster workforce development; and translate discoveries into tools, IP, and ventures that serve national needs.

This role aligns with Vanderbilt Engineering’s strategic pillars, including world-class research with national and international partners in national security, sustainability, and energy; workforce development at scale in radiation effects and resilient systems; and entrepreneurship and technology translation. The Director will drive systems-level solutions that harden electronics and platforms beyond Earth; advance warfighter technologies and secure, reliable defense infrastructure; and enhance energy systems reliability and resilience, including nuclear energy. The Institute will leverage Vanderbilt’s research neighborhoods—Systems Risk, Reliability, and Resilience; Robotics and Automation; Materials and Nanotechnology; Energy Transition and Resilience; and Infrastructural Innovations and Sustainability—and catalyze collaboration across the university and with regional partners in Nashville, NASA and the space industry in Huntsville, Alabama, and West Palm Beach on Florida’s Space Coast.

Requirements

Candidates must have a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering or a related discipline and a proven track record of successful research and leadership. The successful candidate will be expected to:

Establish a nationally recognized research program supported by extramural funding.
Contribute to the teaching mission of the University. Vanderbilt emphasizes excellence in teaching and mentoring next generation engineers and a successful candidate is expected to participate actively in the University’s educational mission.
Have a proven record of visionary leadership and research excellence in space/defense-relevant areas (e.g., extremeenvironment microelectronics, radiation effects, resilient systems), with the ability to set and execute strategy, grow a diversified extramural funding portfolio, build multi-institutional teams with DoD/DOE/NASA and industry, and advance technology translation (IP, tools, and partnerships); experience developing mission-enabling infrastructure and programs (e.g., radiation-effects facilities, SCIF, consortia) is strongly preferred.
Exhibit leadership and talent development skills: recruiting and mentoring diverse teams of technical professionals, faculty, staff, and students; leading workforce development aligned with national needs; and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration across Vanderbilt.
Contribute to departmental, school-wide, and university-wide initiatives, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
 

Applications should include the following materials:

To be considered, please apply directly to the position in Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/175236 

Cover letter
Complete curriculum vitae
Statement of research interests, highlighting potential collaborative opportunities
Statement of teaching philosophy, including innovative approaches to teaching and workforce development