The Littauer Chair of Engineering Materials

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. 

We have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee.

Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to make a meaningful difference.

The role

We are now seeking an outstanding academic leader to join us as The Littauer Chair of Engineering Materials, a prestigious endowed professorship offering an exceptional opportunity to shape and grow engineering materials research at Surrey.

This professorship is named in honour of Ernest and Deveda Littauer. Before a remarkable career in Materials Engineering, with Lockheed Martin in the US, Ernest studied BSc Metallurgy and PhD Electro-Metallurgy at Battersea College of

Technology (Surrey’s predecessor) in the 1950s and 60s.

The successful candidate will liaise with the trustees of the Littauer estate.

As an endowed chair the post comes with an annual budget to support the post holder's research and impact activities, providing an outstanding platform from which to develop an ambitious and internationally recognised programme of research.

The Littauer Chair will play a central role in strengthening and expanding the Engineering Materials research within the School of Engineering contributing to Surrey's wider multidisciplinary Materials research agenda and enhancing our national and international profile. We are seeking an academic whose research demonstrates both strong synergy with, and complementarity to, existing strengths in Materials Science and Engineering at Surrey. Candidates with expertise in Materials

Ageing, Performance and Lifetime Prediction are particularly encouraged to apply. A willingness to engage with Defence and Security partners, and experience of working with industry, would also be highly valued. The role is open to someone with an excellent academic track record with any balance between experimental and modelling expertise.

The successful candidate will bring an established research portfolio and the vision and leadership to develop new collaborations, secure significant external funding, and build a vibrant research community, helping to shape the future direction of materials research and education at Surrey.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and accomplished academic to lead and shape the next phase of Engineering Materials research at the University of Surrey.

About you

You will be:

1. An academic leader with national and international visibility with a strong publication track record.
2. A research leader with a considerable portfolio of ongoing research in the field of materials science and engineering, with a strong track record of securing significant research funding.
3. A leader who can inspire, mentor, shape and grow the wider materials community in the School of Engineering (and more widely across the Faculty and University).
4. An adept communicator with substantial experience of engaging with industrial partners and external stakeholders.

How to apply

Global executive search firm Perrett Laver has been appointed to support the University of Surrey in this appointment. If you would like to discuss this opportunity further or have any questions about the role, including requesting documentation in an alternative format, please contact Danielle Muller at Danielle.muller@perrettlaver.com. 

Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae, detailing academic and professional qualifications and experience, full employment history, and relevant achievements. CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter including details of your track record in securing research income through individual and collaborative grants, your track record of leadership and collegiality in research (as demonstrated by a strong publication record) and your motivation for the role. A full list of your publications should be included as a supplement. Completed applications should be uploaded to https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/ quoting reference 8600.

The closing date for applications is 9amBST on Monday 5th October. The final selection process will take place November 2026.

Further Information

Any questions ahead of formal applications should be directed to Professor Mark Whiting, Professor of Materials Ageing, by email in the first instance: m.whiting@surrey.ac.uk referencing " The Littauer Chair of Engineering Materials" in the subject line.

Interviews will likely be held in early November.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.