Chair, MU-MCW Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

Position Description:

Chair, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin

      Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University (MU) and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) have launched a national search for the next Chair of the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME). This is a unique and rare opportunity to lead a burgeoning department towards unprecedented innovation by harnessing the collective strengths of two esteemed institutions dedicated to advancing research, education, and public health services. Seize the opportunity to leverage MU's expertise in engineering research and education and MCW's medical research, technology, and clinical proficiency to create an inclusive model for research and education that fosters innovation, promotes discovery, and prepares the next generation of engineers, scientists, and physicians. The overarching vision for this joint department is to become a globally recognized department with a high-ranking status, capitalizing on the existing strengths of both MU and MCW, as well as the combined resources of these two distinguished institutions. MU is renowned for its excellence in education and engineering and has a long history of successful research collaborations with MCW.

The Biomedical Engineering Program at MU, founded in 1968 and later elevated to department status in 1990, has played a pivotal role in producing industry leaders in healthcare and advancing research and education in various areas including orthopaedics, rehabilitation engineering, medical imaging, cardiopulmonary modeling, device development, informatics, and computational biology. The Medical College of Wisconsin is a nationally recognized leader in medical research, ranking in the top third of U.S. medical schools with an impressive $168 million in extramural research funding. As a Top 100 Research University in the nation, MCW boasts significant research strengths in genomics, imaging, cancer, cardiovascular research, neurosciences, and injury research, supported by a faculty of 1,700+ and a student body of 1,600+ medical and graduate students.

The Chair position presents a unique opportunity to shape and advance the department by serving as a crucial liaison between institutions and driving unified excellence within the department. In addition, the Chair will help build, maintain, and strengthen industry relations. The Chair will lead efforts to foster collaboration across diverse capabilities, guiding groundbreaking research and shaping the next generation of engineers, scientists, and physicians. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, the Chair will strategically align leadership with the collective goals of both MU and MCW, capitalizing on existing strengths and exploring new areas that align with strategic synergies. The biomedical engineering field, influenced by rapid technological advancements, necessitates an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, and patient care. The joint department aims to leverage the collective expertise of both institutions, to pioneer a groundbreaking model in biomedical engineering research that addresses the evolving healthcare landscape and advance patient safety and clinical outcomes while remaining an educational leader.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is envisioned as an esteemed scholar with academic qualifications consistent with full professorship, with leadership experience in academia and a demonstrated capacity for financial management, innovation, and fostering collaboration across campuses. Essential qualities include a commitment to inclusive decision-making, and a strong dedication to diversity, inclusion, and shared governance, along with a focus on advancing modern student learning methods. Key qualifications include a terminal degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent) in the field of engineering, a sustained record of peer-reviewed scholarship, successful leadership and budgetary management skills, a proven history of securing research funding, faculty recruitment expertise, commitment to exemplary teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration, demonstrated commitment to undergraduate engineering education and biomedical research diversity, excellent communication skills, and a track record of collaboration and consensus building with external constituencies and across disciplines.

Marquette University

Marquette University is a private Catholic and Jesuit university founded in 1881 located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Initially an all-male institution, Marquette University became the first coed Catholic university in the world in 1909 and today is one of the largest Jesuit universities in the United States and the largest private university in Wisconsin.

Marquette is part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and organized into 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and school offering a comprehensive range of majors in the liberal arts, business, communication, education, engineering, law, and health sciences disciplines.

Undergraduate programs include 78 majors and 83 minors, and pre-professional programs in dentistry, law and medicine. Postgraduate programs include 70 doctoral and master's degree programs, 20 graduate certificate programs, and a School of Dentistry (only one in the state) and Law School. The university's varsity athletic teams, known as the Golden Eagles, are members of the Big East Conference and compete in the NCAA's Division I in all sports. Enrollment includes more than 7,500 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate and professional students, with nearly all states and 28 countries represented - 28% of students are people of color. There are more than 1,200 faculty members.

Medical College of Wisconsin

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is the state’s only private medical school and health sciences graduate school.  MCW consists of a School of Medicine with campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay and central Wisconsin, a School of Graduate Studies, and a Pharmacy School. MCW is a major national research center ranking in the top third of U.S. medical schools in NIH funding and is the second largest research institution in Wisconsin. The core of everything we do at the MCW is academic medicine, which brings together scientists, clinicians, students, and community members to solve challenges in health and society. MCW is a diverse group of thought leaders collaborating to build a healthier world. Every study we conduct, and every patient we see, leads to new learning and a continuous cycle of life-changing knowledge. Approximately 1,650 physicians, 750 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other healthcare practitioners care for approximately 521,000 patients of all ages annually.

The beautiful, safe, and modern campus of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) houses Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Hospital and Health System, Curative Care, Blood Research Institute of Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division.  These member entities share a common mission of excellence in patient care, medical education, biomedical research, and community service. 

Our Commitment to Mental Health and Wellbeing

MCW recognizes the hard work and multiple responsibilities of our faculty and staff and is committed to improving wellness and wellbeing.  As part of MCW’s commitment, a multitude of resources are provided and encouraged including the Well-Being Index, literature/research, courses, and peer support programs. 

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace that includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.  We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within.  We strive to integrate our human and social differences into MCW’s functioning, strategies and culture to create a diverse and equitable workplace.  If you believe embracing individuality and working together makes us stronger, then MCW is the place for you.  People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status.  

Milwaukee

Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, is located on Lake Michigan’s western shore. A metropolitan area with more than 1.5 million people, Milwaukee is an affordable, comfortable place to live, work, and play, big enough to be exciting and uncongested enough to get around easily. Milwaukee’s many neighborhoods have incredible charm, accommodating a variety of lifestyles, from high-rise apartments to small farms. Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s downtown is home to botanical gardens, museums, a theater district, the world champion Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Brewers, and many fine restaurants. The lake and its harbors are skirted by scenic parklands and provide first-class opportunities for recreation, including hiking, cycling, boating, and more. A recent study ranked Milwaukee as the 15th most walkable of the 50 largest US cities.

Procedure for Candidacy      

For the full position profile, to learn more, and/or to apply, please contact:

Kelli Cameron, SHRM-SCP
Associate Vice President, Recruitment
Medical College of Wisconsin

c/o Amanda Steffens, CPRP
Executive Faculty Recruiter
[email protected]  

Applications should include a current CV and a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications.  References will be required at an appropriate time in the process.  All interactions will remain confidential, and no inquires will be made without the consent of the applicant.

Please submit applications by March 8, 2024, for full consideration.

Position Requirements:

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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