The Hans von O'Hain Chair in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Position Summary:

The Hans von O'Hain Endowed Faculty in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering was established in 1999. This Endowed Faculty empowers the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering to maintain its leadership position in engineering education and scholarly research in the areas of aerospace fuels, combustion, and thermal management. Dr. Hans von O'Hain (1911-1998) received his Ph.D. in Physics (1935) from the University of Gottingen in Germany. He designed and developed the engine in the world's first turbojet flight (1939). Dr. von O'Hain and Sir Frank Whittle are credited as independent co-inventors of the jet engine. Dr. von O'Hain's work has been described as the most important contribution to aerospace technology since the Wright Brothers' invention of powered flight. In 1947, he began working with the U.S. Army Air Corps to perform theoretical work on advanced air-breathing propulsion systems and later was engaged in research for the U.S. Air Force. He ultimately became Chief Scientist of the Aero Propulsion Laboratory in 1975. He received numerous awards, including the Goddard Award, Guggenheim Medal, and the Stark Draper Prize, and is associated with many patents. His propulsion and energy conversion research spanned a broad range, including gas turbine engines, electro fluid dynamics, advanced diffusers and ejectors, and nuclear propulsion and power generation. In 1979, Dr. von O'Hain joined the University of Dayton Research Institute as a Senior Research Engineer in the Aerospace Mechanics Division and a Professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, where he taught aero propulsion courses. He passed away in 1998.

While all members of the Faculty are expected to demonstrate a standard of excellence in their contributions to SoE and the profession, the prestige and perquisites traditionally associated with Endowed Faculty make performance with distinction especially important for these appointees. As such, the Endowed Faculty is expected to produce outstanding scholarly activity. This can include the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and teaching. Additionally, the Endowed Faculty is expected to provide sustained leadership and impact throughout their tenure. In particular, they are expected to positively impact society through community engagement, research, design work, or creative endeavors and empowering others to do so; facilitate the experiential learning of undergraduate or graduate students; foster inclusive excellence, a sense of community and collaboration; and contribute to the organization through the enhancement of lab facilities, increased external funding or partnerships and advancement of SoE vision, goals, initiatives, and programs, and the campus-wide initiatives. The Endowed Faculty is expected to develop collaborative, transdisciplinary internal and external partnerships, innovative educational experiences and curricula, and participate in recruiting and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members. Finally, the Endowed Faculty is expected to function as a full member of their regular department by attending departmental faculty meetings, advising graduate and undergraduate students, and interacting with other department members.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be full-time faculty at the rank of Associate or Full Professor at the time of the appointment
• Sustained record of high quality, vigorous and productive scholarship, including the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and teaching
• Successful experience in mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, or researchers
• Sustained record of teaching excellence

Preferred Qualifications:

While not everyone may meet all preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Articulated vision and goals for the Endowed Faculty position that aligns with and contributes to the achievement of the School of Engineering's vision, goals, initiatives, program and university-wide initiatives
• In the areas of aerospace fuels, combustion, and thermal management, demonstrated potential to enhance the national/international reputation and impact of the department, School, and University
• Demonstrated success in mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty in relation to aerospace fuels, combustion, and thermal management research
• Demonstrated ability for leadership in the Marianist tradition including a commitment to support the principle's of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Interested applicants must submit:

• A cover letter that briefly describes the applicant's interest and evidence of minimum and preferred qualifications for the Endowed Faculty position (see qualifications above).  Evidence should include:  the quality and quantity of their scholarship productivity such as peer-reviewed publications; scholarly books, and book chapters; professional development workshops; literature reviews; research grants; development of centers for study or service; research projects that address issues of local, state, or other need; preparation of documents based on research for the good of the community (theory to practice); evidence of significant contributions to inclusive excellence and other evidence as deemed appropriate by the Endowed Faculty committee and the Dean.
• A vision statement, not to exceed three pages, that describes the applicant's vision for how they will meet the expectations of the described Endowed Faculty position while contributing to the achievement of the SoE Bold Step Vision goals, initiatives, programs and the university-wide Blue-Sky initiatives.
• In the reference section of the application, please provide contact information for the applicant's department chair who will be asked to write a letter of support (not to exceed 1 page). Upon completion of the application, the department chair will receive instructions on how to upload the letter. 

Posting closes at 11:55 PM EDT, April 12, 2024

Closing Statement:

The University of Dayton is a top tier, Catholic research university with offerings from the undergraduate to the doctoral levels. Founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary, the University is a diverse community committed to advancing the common good through intellectual curiosity, academic rigor, community engagement and local, national and global partnerships. Guided by the Marianist educational philosophy, we educate the whole person and link learning and scholarship with leadership and service.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.