Director, Iowa Flood Center

The College of Engineering at the University of Iowa invites applications for the position of director of the Iowa Flood Center at IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering. We seek a visionary leader and innovative scholar to direct and manage a team of faculty, research engineers, graduate assistants, and staff to build on the success of the Iowa Flood Center and expand its research portfolio, outreach and communications programs, and scientific and societal impact.  

This position is both an administrative leadership position and an opportunity to join the faculty of the University of Iowa College of Engineering. The director of the Iowa Flood Center is expected to serve as a faculty member in the College of Engineering and will hold an academic appointment at the associate professor or professor rank with tenure in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). The director and faculty position will begin August 2024.  

The Iowa Flood Center is nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in flood research. The center has about 15 faculty affiliates, research engineers, and staff members as well as 10-20 graduate research assistants. The State of Iowa provides core funding, and the Center leverages it to some $3M in research expenditures each year. The Center’s research provides translational value for the citizens of the state and the nation in the form of physical, informational, and human infrastructure. Examples include a large network of real-time sensors, state-wide inundation maps, real-time streamflow forecasting systems, and the Iowa Flood Information System —a comprehensive web-platform that provides flood conditions, visualizations, and forecasting information to researchers and communities around Iowa. Research results and the operational products are documented in over 100 peer-reviewed journal papers since the inception of the Center in 2009.   

Our College of Engineering’s Strategic Hiring Initiative seeks faculty who will: create an environment in which all members of the collegiate community—students, staff, and faculty—are welcomed, supported, and able to thrive; provide a transformative and personalized educational experience that prepares our graduates to become an engineer and something more; lead signature areas of research and economic development to drive breakthroughs that have societal impact; train graduate students to become outstanding technical leaders and innovative researchers; engage in mutually beneficial partnerships, boldly communicate our achievements, and build influence with state and federal decision makers; and acquire and steward private investments that strengthen the college and amplify our service for the common good. 

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is a vibrant, collegial, and research-active department, celebrating its 150th year. CEE has an established global reputation for research innovation and holds leadership positions within several other college-wide and university research units, including at IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, the Center for Hydrologic Development, the Center for Global and Regional Environment Research, the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, the Iowa Superfund Research Program, and the Iowa Wastewater and Waste to Energy Research Program. These centers and programs help fuel a highly interdisciplinary research enterprise across campus.  

The Iowa Flood Center and CEE are deeply committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment for all our faculty, staff, and students since this contributes to robust exchanges of ideas and the development of everyone’s potential. We aim to recruit, mentor, and retain the most talented and diverse faculty and staff, and we recognize that this includes providing opportunities for employees to build a career and build a life at Iowa (https://worklife.uiowa.edu ).  

Preliminary inquiries for additional information are encouraged and should be directed to the search committee chair. Review of applications will begin on February 19, 2024. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering or a related discipline with qualifications that merit an appointment to Associate Professor or Professor.
• Expertise in at least one of the CEE’s research focus areas, as demonstrated by relevant publications.
• Excellent leadership and team-management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Expertise for developing and maintaining a nationally recognized, externally funded research program as director of the Iowa Flood Center.
• Enthusiasm for developing and teaching courses in the Civil and Environmental Engineering curriculum.
• Demonstrated commitment to effective teaching and mentoring of students, including efforts for continuous improvement.
• Evidence of sustained contributions to broader societal impacts.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Training and expertise that complements or enhances our research strengths or expands our strengths in emerging areas of flood prediction and mitigation.
• Demonstrated success in engaging with the public and a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success working with diverse groups, faculty, students, and staff.
• Dedication to assisting students overcome barriers to an academic career or degree.
• Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Evidence of the ability to attract research funding.

The Application Package 

• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and qualifications to lead the Iowa Flood Center
• A current CV
• Representative research publications
• Three equally important supporting statements:
• Research Statement – Explain your research philosophy and present your plan for establishing and maintaining a recognized and well-funded research program.
• Teaching Statement – Explain your teaching philosophy and describe a plan for maintaining continuous improvement in teaching and mentoring.
• Broader Impact Statement – This statement could include engagement with and support for underserved individuals, groups, and/or communities; enhancement of public awareness and literacy of science and technology; contributions to or planned efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Describe how your research, teaching, mentoring and/or professional service advance these activities.

Note that three references will be requested from finalist candidates at a later date. 

How to apply:

Candidates should submit applications online at jobs.uiowa.edu , requisition #75105. Inquiries regarding the position can be made to Dr. Larry J. Weber ([email protected] ).  

Successful candidates will be required to disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation, including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment, along with a related release. Successful candidates will also be subject to a criminal background and credential check. 

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.