Search for MU, Founding Director, Energy Innovation Center, Full Professor

The University of Missouri seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as the Founding Executive Director of the Energy Innovation Center (EIC), a major interdisciplinary research, education and innovation initiative dedicated to advancing the future of energy technologies, systems, materials, policy and workforce development. The executive recruitment search was formally launched October 16, 2026.  

Nominations and confidential questions about the search and role can be sent to umhrexecutivesearch@umsystem.edu.

About the Role

The Energy Innovation Center is a new state-of-the-art research facility currently under construction and scheduled for occupancy in 2028. The Center will bring together faculty, students, industry partners, national laboratories, government agencies, utilities and community stakeholders to address critical challenges in energy generation, advanced nuclear technologies, energy storage, grid modernization, advanced materials, artificial intelligence and computing for energy systems, energy policy, sustainability, resilience and energy security. 

Drawing upon expertise from engineering, physics, chemistry and related disciplines, the Center will foster convergent research, accelerate technology translation, inform energy policy, support workforce development and strengthen economic growth across Missouri and beyond. The Center will work closely with strategic university initiatives, including the Center for Rural Energy Security, to advance solutions that enhance energy resilience, affordability and security for rural communities and critical infrastructure. 

The Founding Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for the development, launch, and long-term growth of the Energy Innovation Center. Working closely with university leadership, participating colleges and schools, faculty researchers, industry partners and external stakeholders, the Executive Director will establish the Center’s strategic vision, develop research priorities, cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations, support faculty recruitment and development and position the Center as a nationally recognized destination for energy research, innovation and policy leadership. 

The position includes a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Professor in an appropriate department within the College of Engineering. 

View the Position Profile (PDF)

About the Energy Innovation Center

The Energy Innovation Center will serve as a catalyst for transformative research, innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. By bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines and fostering collaboration among academia, industry, government and community partners, the Center will advance solutions to some of the most pressing energy challenges of the twenty-first century while preparing the next generation of energy leaders. 

The Center is expected to become a nationally recognized hub for interdisciplinary energy research and innovation, leveraging the University of Missouri’s strengths in engineering, science, nuclear technologies, advanced materials, artificial intelligence and community engagement to create lasting impact for Missouri and the nation.