Chemical Engineering Assistant/Associate Professor

Overview

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for multiple tenure-track faculty positions in our newly established Chemical Engineering program. We are seeking candidates with strong expertise in chemical engineering whose research advances one or more of the program’s priorities: upcycling, sustainability, and AI-driven chemical process design. Appointment rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following complementary themes:

• Sustainable chemical conversion and upcycling: green chemistry, reaction engineering, sustainable fuels and energy conversion, and waste valorization
• Advanced materials and chemical manufacturing: polymer synthesis, materials science and engineering, and advanced and sustainable chemical manufacturing
• AI-enabled process systems, automation, and design: artificial intelligence and machine learning for chemical processing, chemical process simulation and design, process automation, and robotics.
• Pharmaceutical engineering: chemical engineering approaches to pharmaceutical process development and manufacturing
• Critical minerals and rare-earth elements extraction: sustainable extraction and processing of rare earth elements, lithium, and other strategic materials from ores, waste streams, and recycled materials
• Multi-scale modelling and simulation: molecular modeling, density functional theory (DFT), kinetic Monte Carlo, continuum-scale transport, and reactor modeling for chemical engineering applications
• Candidates are not expected to work across all listed areas. We welcome focused research programs that complement existing departmental strengths and create opportunities for collaboration across USU.Successful candidates will establish rigorous, innovative, externally funded research programs; teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and help develop the Chemical Engineering curriculum, laboratories, and program identity. This appointment offers an opportunity to shape a new program within an established Biological and Chemical Engineering department.
• These are nine-month academic-year appointments with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027.
• Formal evaluation of the applications will begin on January 11, 2027, and the search will continue until all positions are filled.

Further inquiries should be made to:

Dr. Ron SimsSearch Committee ChairEmail: ron.sims@usu.edu

Responsibilities

Successful candidates will

• Conduct innovative research and other scholarly activities, publish peer-reviewed work, and pursue a sustainable externally funded research program.
• Effectively teach core undergraduate Chemical Engineering courses and upper-division and graduate courses.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research and support their academic and professional development.
• Contribute actively and collaboratively to curriculum development, instructional laboratories, experiential learning, and the development of the new Chemical Engineering program.
• Participate in department, university and community service.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline from an accredited or internationally recognized institution.
• Evidence of an established or emerging research program with potential for extramural support and peer-reviewed publication, commensurate with the rank sought.
• A record of success or clear potential for effective teaching and mentoring, including the ability and willingness to contribute to core Chemical Engineering instruction.
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, together with evidence of, or potential for, effective collaboration and professional leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to collaborate with existing biological/chemical engineering faculty on externally funded projects.
• Post-doctoral or relevant industrial experience.

Expectations by Rank

Assistant Professor: Candidates should demonstrate strong potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program and to contribute effectively to teaching, mentoring, and program development.

Associate Professor: Candidates should demonstrate an established record of research productivity, external funding, graduate mentorship, and scholarly leadership commensurate with rank, together with evidence of effective teaching and service.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please include:

• Documents #2-6 should be uploaded under Other Documents 1-10
• Curriculum Vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Cover letter. Summarize your motivation for applying, qualifications, relevant experience, and career goals.
• Professional references. Provide the names and contact information of at least three professional references (we will only solicit reference letters from final candidates).
• Research statement (up to three pages). Describe your proposed research program, the specific Chemical Engineering topics it addresses, how it complements existing departmental research, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration at USU. Include your anticipated research development and external funding strategy for the first five years.
• Teaching statement (two pages). Explain your approach to teaching and mentoring. Identify core Chemical Engineering courses you are prepared to teach immediately, as well as upper-division, graduate, or new courses you would like to teach or develop. Describe how you would contribute to curriculum and laboratory development.
• Representative publications. Provide two of your most relevant peer-reviewed journal articles.
• **Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.

College/Department Highlights

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering currently enrolls approximately 160 undergraduates, 40 graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.), and has 22 faculty members dedicated to advancing research and education. The new Chemical Engineering program offers an opportunity to build on this established academic community while helping shape its research directions, educational programs, and external partnerships.

Utah State University is located in a spectacular Rocky Mountain valley, just 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, a major metropolitan center. The surrounding area offers unparalleled opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation, making it an exceptional place to live and work

For additional information on the department, please consult:www.be.usu.edu

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Co