Role

The Department Head is a Professor in the Faculty of the von Karman Institute who reports to the Dean of the Faculty.

He / She is part of the Strategic Research Council for the definition and follow-up of the internal research roadmaps related to Turbomachinery & Propulsion activities.

The position has responsibilities for leading, coordinating and coaching the faculty members of the department in their academic activities and for supporting the development of further Turbomachinery and Propulsion research activities by connecting with industry, governmental research agencies, and alumni to advance the success and excellence of the Institute in Turbomachinery and Propulsion expertise. The Head of Department will take the leading role with respect to the educational activities at VKI in its areas of expertise, and assume the final responsibility for the overall quality of the turbomachinery academic activities of the von Karman Institute.

The Head of Department plays a key faculty role with overarching academic responsibility for the department as a whole. The position primarily involves in providing the conditions for academic staff, research opportunities and scientific excellence to grow and develop. In concertation with the von Karman Institute Project Office, Faculty and Management team, the Head of Department will lead and develop the department’s academic activities and support the research strategy, proposal and project activities of the related turbomachinery & propulsion Research Expertise Groups. The position also has a significant oversight of academic budgets and promotions of the Department.

The Head of Department is expected to oversee the department educational activity and to enhance the educational offer of the Turbomachinery and Propulsion department at the level of master-after-master, doctoral programs and other teaching activities.

The role of Head of Department will be combined with research and teaching activities to be performed within the research and education programs of the Institute in synchronization with the Dean and the Chief Project Management Officer.

The successful candidate will

• Centralize the turbomachinery & propulsion research plan by supporting the research roadmaps definitions and follow-up of the related internal research expertise groups;

• Sustain and expand the scholarly excellence of the Department and strengthen its position as one of the leading research centers for turbomachinery and propulsion on the international scene;

• Leverage both existing and new long-term connections with industry to better position the von Karman Institute as a leader for cutting-edge research and industry partnerships in collaboration with the internal heads of research expertise groups;

• Foster, advocate, and promote cutting-edge, innovative post-graduate and doctoral research and education in the field of fluid mechanics and turbomachinery;

• Collaborate with the Project Office for all proposal and research project activities in line with the internal project life cycle procedures;

• Teach part of the courses and lead educational activities currently established at the VKI, ensuring the quality of the educational program of the institute in turbomachinery and propulsion subjects;

• Ensure and promote collaborations in research and education activities with the other departments and research expertise groups at VKI;

• Coach the faculty members under his/her supervision on a daily basis;

Application files:

1. CV

2. Motivational letter

3. Vision letter on research and education

4. The contact of three references

If you have not received confirmation of receipt of your application within one week from completion or would like additional information on the position, please contact Professor Jeroen van Beeck (vanbeeck@vki.ac.be).

Selection process:

The Head of Department recruitment is carried out by an appointed recruitment committee composed of internal and external evaluators. Short-listed candidates are called for an interview with the search committee at the von Karman Institute.

The selected candidate must comply with the internal procedures of the von Karman Institute and receive clearance from the Institute Board of Directors before she or he can begin to work.

The von Karman Institute reserves the right not to appoint a candidate if no suitable candidate is found.