Dane A. Miller Head of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Purdue University is seeking a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as the next Dane A. Miller Head of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. This is a rare opportunity to lead a strong and growing Biomedical Engineering school at a time when it is poised to benefit tremendously from major University initiatives. The first is  Purdue University in Indianapolis - Purdue University’s first comprehensive urban campus which will be a fully integrated extension of our flagship campus in West Lafayette.  This will facilitate closer and new partnerships of the Weldon School with the Indiana School of Medicine located minutes from our new downtown campus. This will provide the Weldon School faculty and students close access to the start-up and industry ecosystems in Indianapolis. The second major opportunity stems from Purdue University’s investments in the Purdue Computes initiative . This includes major investments in the Institute for Physical AI in which the application of AI for human health is one of 4 focal points.  Purdue Computes also includes a $100M investment in the Birck Nanotechnology Center with upgrades to equipment for microelectronics and semiconductor fabrication. This will significantly help implantable and wearable biomedical devices work in the Weldon school and open new partnership opportunities with semiconductor and microelectronics industries. 

The Weldon School has grown to over 500 students, 30 primary faculty, 30 affiliated faculty, 1,500 program alumni, with 100,000 ft2 of laboratory space, $15 million of annual extramural expenditures, and an MD/PhD program with IU School of Medicine.  The Weldon School has a rich history of excellence and collaboration with industry to bring impactful innovations in healthcare from research to patient use. Our fundamental research, education, and translation missions have resulted in 100 US patents, $30 million in licensing royalties, 25 start-up companies, and extramural funding from NIH, NSF, DOD and other sources, impacting 3 million patients worldwide and creating a unique and diverse experiential learning environment for both undergraduate and graduate education. A powerhouse in engineering, Purdue was recently ranked the fifth most innovative university in America by US News & World Report, and its graduate program in engineering was ranked #4 nationally. Biomedical engineering is central to this rise, with areas of excellence in biomaterials and biomechanics, computational biomedicine, imaging, instrumentation, and neuroscience, attracting top talent from around the country and internationally.   

In this period of rapid growth and transformation for Purdue BME, we seek a visionary leader who has, through their accomplishments, demonstrated an understanding of the current needs and future directions of the biomedical engineering profession, and can leverage unique opportunities and partnerships in West Lafayette and Indianapolis to lead the school into the future.

Successful candidates must hold a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering or a closely related discipline, and meet the qualifications for appointment at the Full Professor level with tenure. Candidates will have a distinguished track-record of leading independent, competitively funded research and excellence in scholarly work. The successful candidate will also have a strong record of teaching, professional service, leadership, and outreach. The Weldon school is seeking a dynamic head with superior interpersonal and communications skills; a collaborative mindset; experience in resource management and team building; and dedication to building relationships with and between faculty, staff, students, alumni, start-ups and industry partners. Ideal candidates must be able to articulate their plans to increase the School’s preeminence within the field through:  

• Growing our research enterprise
• Building on BME’s culture of translational innovation and taking it to the next level in terms of IP, start-ups, and industry partnerships
• Mentoring and increasing prestigious recognitions of our faculty
• Creating the next generation of innovative educational and training programs for undergraduate, graduate students and post-doctoral trainees
• Expanding revenue streams including our philanthropic base to support the Weldon School

Interested candidates are asked to submit applications with the following:

A confidential review of applications will begin on our preferred date for full consideration, November 6, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position can be addressed to Stephanie Ferguson, Executive Recruiter, at [email protected]. Nominations are encouraged and should be submitted at this link.

Purdue is an ADVANCE institution.

Purdue University, the College of Engineering, and the Dane A. Miller Head of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their application documents how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.

Purdue’s main campus is in West Lafayette, Indiana, a welcoming and diverse community with a wide variety of cultural activities, events and industries. Purdue and the College of Engineering have a Concierge Program to assist new faculty and facilitate their relocation.

A background check is a requirement for this position.

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.