LEHIGH UNIVERSITY. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering invites applications and nominations for the prestigious Fazlur Rahman Khan Chair in Structural Engineering. This endowed, tenured professorship is intended for an exceptional scholar who has achieved national and international distinction through groundbreaking research and demonstrated intellectual leadership in structural engineering. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, structural mechanics and dynamics, experimental and computational methods, innovative structural systems and materials, structural reliability and risk analysis, performance-based engineering and multi-hazard resilience, structural optimization, applications of data science in structural engineering, and digital twins. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027.
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Lehigh University is dedicated to educating students in the principles and methods essential to advancing civil and environmental engineering, integrating emerging paradigms with rigorous traditional approaches to ensure graduates possess the expertise to balance societal welfare, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. Rooted in Lehigh’s history, from John Fritz’s pioneering research lab that launched thousands of engineering careers to decades of influential scholarship, the department’s legacy continues to shape the profession, with alumni becoming leaders in industry and academia. Today, CEE stands as one of Lehigh’s largest programs, attracting students worldwide through the strength of its faculty, facilities, and research influence. Occupying multiple buildings across the campus, and home to globally respected laboratories, the department prepares students as practitioners, innovators, and leaders ready to address the challenges of a complex society while advancing the frontiers of civil and environmental engineering.
Founded in 1865, Lehigh University has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. Recognized among the nation's highly ranked research universities, Lehigh offers a rigorous academic community for over 7,500 students. Lehigh University has some 5,800 undergraduates, 1,800 graduate students, and nearly 600 full-time faculty members. Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA, a vibrant and historic area. Over 840,000 people live in the Lehigh Valley, which is in close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia.
Qualifications
Candidates must hold an earned Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field and possess a record of scholarly achievement commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor and holder of a distinguished endowed chair. Evidence of distinction should include influential research contributions, significant recognition by the profession, and a demonstrated ability to lead innovative, externally funded research programs. The successful candidate will be expected to advance fundamental knowledge, establish and sustain a world-class research program, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and mentor doctoral students and emerging scholars. The successful candidate will also be expected to teach courses in civil engineering and participate in departmental, college, and university service; and contribute to an academic environment in which all students, faculty, and staff can thrive to their fullest potential.
Consistent with Fazlur Rahman Khan's philosophy of “technology with concern for human response,” the successful candidate will be expected to pursue research that combines scientific rigor, technological innovation, and societal impact. The chair holder will have the opportunity to leverage Lehigh University's extensive experimental and computational research infrastructure and collaborate with major university research centers and institutes, including the ATLSS Engineering Research Center (atlss.lehigh.edu), the Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience (catmodeling.lehigh.edu), and the Institute for Cyber-Physical Infrastructure and Energy (icpie.lehigh.edu).
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be received by January 15, 2026. Applicants should submit their materials online. Candidates should submit the following materials:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement that describes past scholarly contributions and future research directions
- Teaching statement that describes instructional philosophy and courses that the candidate would want to teach or develop
- A statement on Contributions to Lehigh’s Principles of Our Equitable Community that describes how your experiences, knowledge, and skills prepare you to effectively contribute to a learning and research community that holds these principles at its core (the Lehigh ADVANCE Center’s guide for understanding and preparing such statements is available here)
Letters of recommendation from qualifying candidates will be requested at a later stage of the search.
Any inquiries regarding this search should be directed to Professor Stephen Pessiki, Chair of the search committee, at pessiki@lehigh.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national origin (including shared ancestry), pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Lehigh University is committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse academic community and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching and/or service, to this mission. Lehigh University provides competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including domestic partner benefits, and supports faculty members’ work/life balance.