Bloomberg Centennial Department Chair, Environmental Health and Engineering

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) and the Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) invite applications for the Bloomberg Centennial Chair of the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering (EHE). The Chair will lead this nationally unique joint Public Health–Engineering department to translate discoveries from bench science through policy and practice into measurable gains in human and environmental health. We are seeking a dynamic, transparent, scholar-leader who can inspire broadly and further amplify EHE’s impact.

EHE is powered by 51 tenure-line and 61 non-tenure-line faculty, 34 postdocs, 44 staff, and degree programs serving 75 doctoral, 104 EHE master’s, approximately 800 MPH master’s students, and 40 undergraduate engineering students. EHE is a people-centered engine for public impact, a global leader that integrates biological, physical, clinical, and population sciences to prevent disease and protect communities. Our faculty-driven centers convert discovery into policy and practice - from the Center for a Livable Future (a first-of-its-kind, 1996) advancing healthy, equitable food systems, to the Center for Health Security shaping preparedness and response, to the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (founded 1981) redefining humane science. EHE’s culture of collaboration, evidence-based advocacy, and real-world translation, across environmental engineering and public health, has delivered impact locally and globally, and is the platform the next Chair will leverage.   

Even as academic institutions face headwinds and the discourse around public health and environmental protection is contested, this is a moment for builders, not bystanders. At Johns Hopkins – the nation’s first research university, home to the largest school of public health, and a top-ranked environmental health department with a legacy of modernizing water and environmental systems –  EHE offers the platform to redefine how science and engineering becomes community health, policy, and practice. The University seeks a leader with the energy, transparency, and emotional intelligence to rally people and resources across its unique platform of two schools.

EHE seeks a recognized scholar with the vision and administrative experience to inspire and grow a cross-divisional department. Ideal candidates will be a leader with high energy and emotional intelligence; an inspiring and transparent communicator, with an interest in mentoring faculty, enabling staff, inspiring trainees, and fostering shared governance. In addition, we seek a builder who can strengthen programs and partnerships across the JHU schools (BSPH and WSE), as well as with centers, and EHE’s myriad external stakeholders. The new Chair will hold an endowed Centennial professorship for a five-year term; anticipated to start in 2026.

How to Apply/Nominate:

Johns Hopkins has engaged Opus Partners (Craig Smith, Senior Partner; Jeffrey Stafford, Senior Associate). Please contact Jeffrey Stafford ([email protected]) with a CV, cover letter addressed to the search chair (Professor Benjamin Schafer), and three references (contacted only at short-list stage). 

The full position description can be viewed here.

Appointment terms

EHE faculty, including the department Chair, have their primary appointment in either BSPH or WSE and may teach in degree programs anchored in one school or the other (or both). The annual compensation range for the role is $350K-$430K, to be structured through negotiation with the deans. This salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training, and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University. The deans of the Bloomberg School and the Whiting School will negotiate the salary and other aspects of the Chair’s employment such as startup package and teaching responsibilities directly with the selected candidate.

Additional information

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristic. The University is committed to providing qualified individuals with access to all academic and employment programs, benefits, and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance, and merit without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [email protected]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Background Checks, References, and Tenure

The successful candidate for the EHE Chair position should expect to provide a full list of professional references and will be subject to pre-employment education and employment verifications. In addition, appointment to the faculty of the Johns Hopkins University is contingent upon a criminal background check and a separate review that looks back a period of seven years of professional conduct.

Total Rewards

Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports its employees' health, life, career, and retirement. More information is available at https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Application process

To apply for the role, learn more about the opportunity, or provide a nomination, please contact [email protected]. To apply, candidates should provide the following:

• A current curriculum vitae A cover letter addressed to Benjamin Schafer, Search Committee Chair

• The names, titles, institutional affiliations, and email addresses of three references who will be contacted only when the search enters the on-campus short-list stage

The cover letter should thoughtfully address why candidates are attracted to the department chair position, what attributes and experiences align them with the desired characteristics for the position and make them a competitive candidate, and how their past record, current actions, and future plans will contribute to the impact of the department as well as to the mission and values of the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Whiting School of Engineering.