William A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation

Department: MCC Civil & Environmental Engg

McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University invites applications for the William A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation at the tenured Full Professor level.

About McCormick:
Founded in 1909, the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science thrives at the intersection of global challenges and the knowledge needed to solve them. Its culture of collaboration across engineering, data science, and policy provides an ideal environment for transformative research and education, particularly in the multidisciplinary field of transportation.

About the Patterson Chair and the Northwestern University Transportation Center:
Established in 1978 in honor of William A. Patterson-a pioneer in commercial aviation, founder of United Airlines, and its president for 32 years-the Patterson Chair serves as the intellectual focal point for transportation research and education at Northwestern University. The Chair holder also directs Northwestern's Transportation Center (NUTC), a multidisciplinary hub internationally recognized for more than seven decades of leadership in transportation research and education. Through its Business Advisory Council (BAC), NUTC connects Northwestern's faculty and students with leaders across the nation's transportation industry to advance innovative solutions for passenger and freight systems, inform public policy, and cultivate the next generation of transportation scholars and professionals.

Position description and qualifications:
The successful candidate is expected to:

• Build and sustain a world-class research program in the broad area of transportation systems (passenger and freight), while fostering collaborative research across Northwestern's faculty.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels within the McCormick School of Engineering.
• Provide leadership for NUTC and strengthen the Center's partnerships with the transportation industry through active engagement with the BAC.

While the primary appointment is expected to be in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, candidates with complementary disciplinary backgrounds whose research and teaching align with the strategic priorities of The McCormick School and NUTC are encouraged to apply. Northwestern fosters close cross-departmental collaboration and supports flexible faculty appointments, including joint and courtesy appointments, for scholars whose work bridges multiple disciplines.

The successful candidate must be a senior academician with an established reputation as a transportation scholar and demonstrated ability to develop and lead innovative research programs in this field. They must merit an appointment as a tenured full professor suitable for appointment within McCormick School of Engineering.

Application process

To ensure timely consideration, applications should be received by 1/31/2026. Review will continue until the position is filled. All application materials should be submitted exclusively via the web interface at https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/civil-environmental/careers.html. Inquiries should be directed at Professor Amanda Stathopolous, Patterson Chair Search Committee Chair. Email: a-stathopoulos@northwestern.edu.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter (2-page limit)

• Curriculum Vitae

• Separate Statements of Achievements and Goals:

  • Research statement (3-page limit)

  • Teaching Statement (2-page limit)

  • Service Statement (2-page limit)

• Vision Statement (2-page limit)

  • Articulate your vision for leading NUTC, including strategies to advance its mission, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and amplifying national and global impact.

• Names and contact information for at least five references.

Compensation

The expected base pay range for this position is $190,000 - $270,000. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment, does not include summer salary, and is subject to negotiation.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal competitors; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

Applications accepted here: Apply for Job

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.