Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Description

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) at Vanderbilt University invites applications for a tenure/tenure-track faculty position from candidates with expertise in the areas of computer simulations, artificial intelligence/machine learning, multiscale modeling, optimization and digital twins as applied to areas of energy, sustainability and chemical processing. Candidates with research interests in energy storage and conversion, catalysis and separations, electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, and manufacturing are of particular interest and are strongly encouraged to apply. The position will be at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level depending on the experience and record of the candidate.  Candidates from under-represented groups in engineering are strongly encouraged to apply.

VU ChBE (http://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/chbe/) has annual research expenditures in excess of $8M and has steadily climbed the USNWR graduate rankings.  Our department is consistently ranked as one of the top five chemical engineering departments in the U.S. with fifteen or fewer faculty. VU ChBE is located less than a 5 min walk from Vanderbilt's other engineering and science departments and is adjacent to the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE). VINSE is the nucleus for nanoscale materials research at Vanderbilt, and is one of numerous interdisciplinary centers and institutes on campus (https://research.vanderbilt.edu/centers-institutes/) that offers comprehensive and state-of-the-art core facilities. Faculty in VU ChBE regularly engage with Vanderbilt’s renowned medical center that is co-located on our campus, facilitating interdisciplinary engineering research with potential translational medical impact.  We anticipate strong growth in the the computational area at Vanderbilt as evident by the recent announcement of a College of Connected Computing.  This new College will be transformative and provide new opportunities for collaboration across engineering, science, medicine, sustainability, and computing.  

Ranked #18 nationally, Vanderbilt University is a private, internationally recognized research university located on 330 park-like acres 1.5 miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Its 10 distinct schools share a single cohesive campus that values collaboration. An 11th school, the College of Connected Computing, will further enhance this hallmark of our culture.  The university enrolls over 13,500 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including more than 25% minority students and over 10% international students from 84 countries. The School of Engineering comprises nearly 120 tenured and tenure-track faculty, with a total research expenditure of $87 million and teaches 1,457 undergraduate and over 834 graduate and professional students across all programs.

With a metro population of over two million people, Nashville has been named one of the 15 best U.S. cities by Travel and Leisure and was ranked in the top tier as best performing cities in 2024 for sustainable growth and resilience by the Milken Institute.  Nashville’s top industries by employment include trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services; professional and business services; government; and leisure and hospitality. Other industries include manufacturing, financial activities, construction, and information. Long known as a hub for health care and music, the greater Nashville area is a technology center with a considerable pool of health care, AI, EV, and defense-related jobs available. In recent years, the city has experienced an influx of major office openings by some of the largest global tech companies and prime Silicon Valley startups.

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. We have a strong institutional commitment to recruiting and retaining an academically and culturally diverse community of faculty. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups, in particular, are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop a vibrant, externally funded research program, along with an equal commitment to outstanding teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Applicants should hold a Ph.D. degree in chemical engineering or a closely related engineering or scientific discipline and should have research and teaching goals strongly aligned with the fields of chemical and biomolecular engineering.  Applicants must have conducted prior research work and have a record of impactful scholarly publications in refereed and other professional journals and venues. Experiences with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer simulation are preferred.

Application Instructions

Application materials are to be submitted to https://apply.interfolio.com/174347 and must include: 1) a cover letter, 2) a complete curriculum vitae, 3) a 5 to 10 page statement of research interests detailing goals and potential collaborative possibilities, 4) a 1 to 2 page statement of teaching philosophy highlighting synergies within the ChBE department and interests in developing new courses, and 5) the names and contact information of at least three professional references. Review of applications will begin upon receipt with applications received by November 15, 2025 undergoing priority review. All applications received by December 1, 2025 will receive full consideration. Please address questions to Professor Paul Laibinis, Chair of ChBE, by email to paul.e.laibinis@vanderbilt.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Vanderbilt University shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.