Grainger College of Engineering: Head and Professor - Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering

The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a distinguished scholar and strategic leader to serve as the next Head of the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering.

The Grainger College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the nation's premier engineering colleges and benefits from an extraordinary ecosystem of research institutes and facilities, including the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Research Park, the Materials Research Laboratory, the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment. The university is also home to the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based college of medicine. Collectively, these world-class resources create unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary research, education, innovation, and the translation of discoveries into real-world impact.

As part of The Grainger College of Engineering, the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, & Radiological Engineering (NPRE) is recognized for its world-class faculty, highly ranked academic programs, and collaborative research environment dedicated to addressing critical challenges in clean energy, healthcare, sustainability, and national security. NPRE's research and educational mission spans three core areas: (1) nuclear power engineering, (2) fusion and plasma science and engineering, and (3) radiological engineering and medical physics. Key areas of expertise and strategic focus include radiological imaging, risk and reliability analysis, nuclear nonproliferation, radiation detection, neutronics, thermal hydraulics, the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear materials, radiation damage, plasma nanosynthesis, and fusion plasma-material interactions. NPRE is home to 22 faculty members, 12 staff, 186 undergraduate students, and 109 graduate students, fostering a vibrant and interdisciplinary academic community.

The department presents an exceptional opportunity for visionary leadership at a pivotal moment for nuclear energy, fusion, and related technologies. Building on its strengths in interdisciplinary research and longstanding partnerships with national laboratories, industry, and government agencies, NPRE is well positioned to expand its impact in addressing some of society’s most pressing energy, security, and healthcare challenges. The department is home to transformative initiatives, including the Hybrid Illinois Device for Research and Applications (HIDRA), the Illinois Plasma Institute, and the Illinois Nuclear Power Institute, which further enhance its national and international prominence. NPRE’s educational portfolio extends beyond its nuclear and plasma programs to include the professional Master of Engineering in Energy Systems (MEng-ES), reflecting the department’s broad engagement with the rapidly evolving energy landscape.

The next Department Head will have the opportunity to build on this strong foundation by advancing excellence in research, education, and service, while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually ambitious community that is positioned for continued growth and distinction.

Appointment Information

The Department Head is a tenured full Professor in NPRE and reports to the Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering. Applicants must have an earned Ph.D. or its equivalent, a scholarly record commensurate with the level of a tenured full professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a distinguished record of research achievement. This position requires a dynamic leader who can balance administrative duties with visionary leadership to advance the department.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading faculty in research, teaching, and public service.
• Engaging with industry, national laboratories, private foundations, and alumni.
• Overseeing administrative, budgetary, and promotion decisions.

The successful candidate will:

• Articulate and implement a compelling vision for the future of NPRE Illinois.
• Develop and implement plans for scholarly excellence.
• Innovate and sustain cutting-edge curricula and research collaborations.
• Foster a supportive environment for faculty and staff development.
• Build connections with industry and research institutions.
• Engage actively with students and alumni to celebrate and leverage their contributions.
• Lead fundraising efforts and establish strategic partnerships.
• Promote and engage the department community of students, faculty, and staff.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Full consideration will be given to applications received by October 31, 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. Those submitted after the stated deadline may still be considered until the position is filled. A start date is expected for August 2027; however, timing is negotiable.

The salary range for the nine-month professor position is projected to be between $200,000 and $300,000 annually with applicable university benefits. The Head position is a twelve-month appointment that carries an administrative stipend for full-time effort. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) a curriculum vitae, 2) a cover letter articulating a vision for the department, 3) a research statement, and 4) names and contact information for three references (no letters). For further information regarding application procedures, please contact Lori Willoughby at rairden@illinois.edu.

We have an active and successful Dual Career Academic Couples Program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/).

Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.