The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (CBE) at the University of Iowa invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor with an anticipated August 2024 starting date. Exceptionally qualified individuals at the Associate Professor rank will also be considered. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in bioderived material production.

Candidates with expertise in microbial biofibers, cellular production of polymer precursors, microbial or genome engineering, synthetic biology, and heterologous expression are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates should demonstrate potential for attracting extramural funding and establishing and maintaining a nationally recognized research program that will contribute to the development of bio-sourced materials and the advancement of biomanufacturing. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a teaching portfolio both in chemical engineering fundamentals and in research-relevant areas such as biological engineering and materials. 

This position is a new strategic hire in the College of Engineering supported in part by a newly established collaborative NSF Center with research programs and partnerships at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and other institutions in Iowa to enhance statewide capacity for biomanufacturing.

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (CBE) is a vibrant, collegial, research-active department with 15 faculty, 200 undergraduate students, 35 graduate students, and a diverse team of postdoctoral researchers, professional and administrative staff. CBE has an established global reputation for research innovation in biological engineering, drug delivery, climate and energy research, materials development, and biomedical innovations.  

Our college has six academic departments, several research centers of excellence, and research expenditures of $50M per year.  All academic units are hosted in the Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, which enables frequent and regular opportunities for engagement with students, faculty, and staff throughout the college.

Faculty in the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Department enjoy close collaborations within the College and across the University with many joint projects, particularly with the Carver College of Medicine, the College of Pharmacy, and the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB).The CBB is an academic center focused on advancing research, education, and economic development in the biosciences. The CBB operates a bioprocessing facility that specializes in the scale-up of both upstream and downstream processes for the production of proteins including pilot scale and cGMP facilities. CBB is heavily integrated into the academic mission of the University of Iowa with significant support mechanisms for faculty including seed grants, predoctoral fellowships, and relevant courses including upstream biotechnology and process scale up. Additional information related to the University of Iowa, relevant centers, and this position can be found here. 

The search committee is especially interested in candidates who will enrich our campus by bringing perspectives that come from unique educational backgrounds or an understanding of the experiences of those historically underrepresented and/or marginalized in STEM fields.

The University of Iowa supports an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment that embeds diversity and equity into the Iowa experience. Faculty in the College of Engineering contribute to DEI by designing curricula, research programs, and engagement opportunities that challenge the status quo, cultivate empathy, seek out diverse perspectives, and value global citizenship. As such, the application will include an impact statement highlighting past experience with, or future plans for, having a broad impact on the University of Iowa and society.  This statement could include plans for unique curriculum design, broadening the distribution of research results beyond traditional audiences, or broadening participation among underrepresented groups. We are interested in learning anything an applicant wishes to share about their general plans as a future member of our faculty that would benefit the University of Iowa and society.  

The College is committed to recruiting and retaining talented and diverse faculty and staff, which includes providing dual-career resources and opportunities for employees to “Build a Career and Build a Life” in the Iowa City area. The University offers several benefits to support faculty and their families in achieving a healthy work/life balance. For more information, please visit https://worklife.uiowa.edu. 

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent in chemical engineering, biological engineering, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, or other related field and demonstrate potential to build a successful research program. 

Assistant Professor 
Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree or equivalent in chemical engineering, biological engineering, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, or other related field.
• Potential or demonstrated ability to teach and develop courses and mentor students in the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering program.
• Potential or demonstrated ability to attract extramural funding and establish a research program that will contribute to the advancement of materials biomanufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience promoting broader societal impacts.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Ability to teach and develop courses on biochemical engineering, materials science and/or biocatalysis and bioprocessing.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary and/or diverse teams.
• Grant writing experience; demonstrated track record or strong potential to obtain external funds.
• Evidence for fostering a climate that values and engages diversity in all its forms as aligned with the DEI goals of the department and college.

Associate Professor 
Required Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. degree or equivalent in chemical engineering, biological engineering, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, or other related field.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and develop courses and mentor students in the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering program.
• Demonstrated ability to attract extramural funding and establish a research program that will contribute to the advancement of materials biomanufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience supporting broader societal impacts.  

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Ability to teach and develop courses on biochemical engineering, materials science and/or biocatalysis and bioprocessing.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary and/or diverse teams.
• Grant writing experience; demonstrated track record to obtain external funds.
• Evidence for fostering a climate that values and engages diversity in all its forms as aligned with the DEI goals of the department and college.

Applicants will be asked to include the following components in their application:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position;
• A current CV;
• Name and contact information for three references;
• Three supporting statements:
  • Research Statement:  Explain your research philosophy and present your plan for establishing and maintaining a recognized and well-funded research program. Please include potential sources of funding for each planned research area.
  • Teaching Statement: Explain your teaching philosophy, teaching and mentoring experience, training, and proposed courses (both existing and new), and a plan for maintaining continuous improvement in teaching and mentoring.
  • Broader Impact Statement: This statement could include contributions to, and planned efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion; engagement with and support for underserved individuals, groups, and/or communities; and enhancement of public awareness and literacy of science and technology. Describe how your research, teaching, mentoring and/or professional service advance these activities.

Interested candidates should submit their application materials online.

Preliminary inquiries for additional information are encouraged. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023; however, applications will be accepted through December 15, 2023. 

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual.

Successful candidates will be required to disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation, including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment, along with a related release. Successful candidates will also be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

Further inquiries regarding this position can be sent to the attention of Allan Guymon, Search Committee Chair via: chemeng@engineering.uiowa.edu.