DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF MINING AND EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERING #00096604

Mining and Explosives Engineering

The Department of Mining and Explosives Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites candidates to apply for the position of Department Chair and Professor of Mining and Explosives Engineering with Tenure to begin in the Fall Semester of 2026. We seek a dynamic leader with a passion for advancing mining and explosives engineering education and research to guide our department into its next phase of growth and impact.

About the Department

The Department of Department of Mining and Explosives Engineering offers an ABET accredited B.S. degree in Mining Engineering and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mining Engineering, Explosives Engineering, and Explosives Technology.

The Department currently has 10 full-time faculty (7 T/TT faculty, one NTT teaching faculty and two NTT Research faculty) and 2 full-time staff members.

The Department is a research leader at Missouri University of Science and Technology. The O'Keefe Center for Critical Minerals is led by several of the faculty members. Other research strengths include miner safety, explosives related effects, ventilation, ground control, processing, and sustainability. The department operates the S&T Experimental Mine in close proximity to the main campus where several lectures and labs are taught, and research is performed in a mining environment. The candidate is expected to have demonstrated leadership skills to grow our research enterprise.

Candidates must have a PhD in Mining Engineering or a closely related field preferentially holding a tenured faculty appointment at a peer or peer-plus university. Other requirements include a strong publication record and evidence of effective teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading an academic organization in the role of department chair, associate chair, assistant chair, program director, or other similar leadership experience
• A commitment to student success
• An internationally recognized reputation in mining engineering or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated success as a collaborative researcher, evidenced by a combination of published papers and strong record of externally funded projects from government and/or industry
• Demonstrated success as an effective teacher and passion for engineering education evidenced by a combination of student evaluation scores, peer reviews, or other markers of quality instruction
• A willingness to travel for the benefit of the department, including alumni development
• Strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills and an ability to work in an interdisciplinary setting
• Ability to represent the department in both academic and industry research settings
• Evidence of fostering interdisciplinary research/education and mentoring of students, staff, and faculty from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
• Experience in fundraising and/or corporate development activities
• A demonstrated record of ethical performance
• A passion for nurturing the careers of others and other tangible demonstrations of servant leadership

Interested applicants should electronically submit an application, a detailed curriculum vita, and a cover letter that discusses the following: administrative experience, leadership philosophy and vision, research achievements, future goals, and teaching experience. These materials should be submitted to the Missouri University of Science and Technology's Human Resource Office at https://hr.mst.edu/careers/. Acceptable electronic formats that can be used for attachments include PDF and Word; hardcopy application materials will not be accepted. All submitted application materials must have the position reference number (00096604) in order to be processed. Applicants should also provide contact information (i.e., names, phone numbers, and email addresses) for three references. Questions regarding the position can be sent electronically to Dr. Kyle Perry (kperry@mst.edu) and Dr. Michael Moats (moatsm@mst.edu).

Applications should be submitted no later than December 10th, 2025, for full consideration.

University Information
Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading research universities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers.

COLLEGE of ENGINEERING & COMPUTING (CEC)
Missouri S&T's College of Engineering and Computing is the largest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately 80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800 graduate students). The college includes more than 170 ranked faculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all with master's and doctoral equivalents organized into nine academic departments. The college recently added a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering, both starting in fall 2024. Missouri S&T, supported by the College of Engineering and Computing, is nationally recognized for its career outcomes and ROI.

About Rolla
Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that help individuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal place for families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable for all ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapes offers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of every lifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout the year. The university's Leach Theatre showcases nationally renowned performers for campus and community alike. Overall, living in Rolla offers a high quality of life with a supportive community, affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734.