Title: Assistant Professor (TT) - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - Sustainable Chemical Energy Storage and Conversion
Executive Area: Academic Affairs
College/School/MBU: Engineering
Department: Chemical Engineering
Work Location: Amherst
Schedule: Full Time
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Job Summary
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking talented applicants qualified for a tenure-track assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration. The appointment is expected to begin September 1, 2027.
The position is defined broadly across the entire scope of sustainable chemical energy storage and chemical energy conversion, from the atomic to the systems level. Areas of interest include but are not limited to batteries and battery technologies, capacitors, liquid hydrogen carriers, solar energy conversion, electrochemical cells, and recovery of materials from waste and from natural resources.
As a campus, college, and department with an increasingly diverse student body, we are looking for candidates who can operate effectively in a diverse faculty and student community, and who value collegiality, collaboration, achievement, and integrity. We encourage applications from individuals with a commitment to mentor under-represented demographics within engineering. We welcome candidates who have had non-traditional career paths, those who have paused their careers for family or other reasons, or those who spent time outside of academia.
Essential Functions
The candidate is expected to develop an externally funded research program and develop and maintain an internationally recognized scholarly presence. The ideal candidate has postdoctoral experience, a strong record of research accomplishments, an emphasis on experimental research, complements the Department’s expertise and can envision collaborations that will strengthen existing research areas at UMass Amherst.
The candidate is expected to contribute to teaching existing graduate and undergraduate courses in the Chemical Engineering curriculum, and will be encouraged to develop new courses along their interests and across disciplines, or in support of the Department's concentrations and certificates.
The candidate is also expected to contribute meaningful service to their department, college, and university and externally within their field through participation in committees, faculty governance, and activities that support the academic community.
Other Functions
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field, or anticipate such a degree by September 1, 2027.
Additional Details
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has 18 full-time, tenure-system faculty members, 3 non-tenure-track lecturers, and approximately 80 graduate students and 280 undergraduates. The Department’s FY 25 research expenditures exceeded $6.38 million. Additional information about the Department can be obtained at https://www.umass.edu/engineering/chemical-and-biomolecular-engineering.
The Daniel J. Riccio Jr. College of Engineering is recognized as one of the top 35 public engineering schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and is the #1 public engineering program in New England. Our inclusive and dynamic community includes ~2700 undergraduate and ~650 graduate students and ~160 instructional faculty (full-time tenure stream and lecturers) across five engineering departments—biomedical, chemical and biomolecular, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, and mechanical and industrial. Our faculty members are developing life-saving medical devices and therapeutics; revolutionizing next-generation manufacturing and materials; advancing AI, robotics and autonomous systems; designing smart infrastructures; tackling climate change; and leading breakthroughs in computing and cybersecurity. They are recipients of prestigious national recognitions, including 22 CAREER Awards since 2020. With over $69 million in research expenditures and 20+ affiliated research centers and programs, we are at the forefront of discovery. Our faculty and students engage actively in innovation, transforming ideas into meaningful impact through entrepreneurship activities, patenting new discoveries, and new venture creation. Our new Sustainable Engineering Laboratories building offers immersive labs and learning spaces, enabling us to test and develop technologies that address real-world sustainability challenges. The College strives to be a leader in transformative engineering education, supporting faculty in the development of their teaching expertise through various initiatives such as our membership in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN).
For more on the Riccio College of Engineering and our mission, visit: https://www.umass.edu/engineering/ and https://www.umass.edu/engineering/about/mission-vision-and-inclusivity-statement.
Present UMass policies on visa sponsorship can be found on the webpage of the Office of Global Affairs https://www.umass.edu/global-affairs/.
This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a laboratory or healthcare setting and may involve exposure to chemicals or infectious diseases. Requires standing for extended periods of time and/or use of protective gear.
Work Schedule and Work Arrangement
Full-Time, academic year position. Schedule varies depending on teaching, research and service.
Salary Information
The University expects to pay within an approximate range between $79,350 - $125,995 for this position. Please note:
The low end of the pay range in all faculty searches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA. Engineering TT starting salaries are typically well above this minimum.
The high end of the pay range reflects the 75th percentile for the department/discipline based on established, disciplinary-specific faculty compensation surveys.
The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors, including faculty rank and required or relevant certifications, when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.
Special Instructions for Applicants
Candidates must provide the following in their application package referring to the “CBE Search in Sustainable Chemical Energy Storage and Conversion.” The preferred application date is November 20, 2026, but applications will be accepted until the search is completed. All files must be provided in .pdf format. Applicants must disclose whether and to what extent AI tools were used in the preparation of their application package.
A cover letter, addressed to the search committee. The cover letter should a) introduce the candidate, b) briefly describe the candidate’s interest in and alignment with the position and the mission and vision of the Riccio College of Engineering. Suggested length: up to 1 page.
A current curriculum vitae. The CV is typically ordered as follows: education, employment, awards and honors, sponsored research (if any), peer-reviewed publications, service, and other sections as considered appropriate by the candidate.
An overall vision statement. Candidates should describe the overall vision of what they would like to accomplish in their career, integrating across all aspects of teaching, research, outreach, and service, and discuss the inspiration that will sustain them in this faculty position. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their work aligns with the goals and values outlined in the university’s strategic plan. Suggested length: 1 page.
A research statement. Candidates should situate their past research in a broader scholarly context and give their research vision for this position. Candidates are specifically asked to mention the types of scholarship they will perform, how that scholarship will be disseminated, expectations for how that scholarship will be funded, collaboration potential, and any connections to community engagement, broadening participation in STEM, or grand challenges in engineering. Suggested length: 3 pages.
A teaching and mentoring statement. Candidates should address teaching and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students, as well as recruiting of graduate students. Candidates should describe their past teaching and mentoring experience and express their vision for educating the next generation of engineers. Candidates are specifically asked to mention existing core courses in Chemical Engineering that they are qualified to offer and also mention courses they are interested in developing. Please discuss any plans for making engineering engaging to all students. Suggested length: 1-2 pages.
Contact information (name, title, email address, institution) for 3 professional references. At least one reference must be from a current or former supervisor.
Three representative and clearly attributable works such as peer-reviewed papers or patents, combined in a single pdf file.
A compilation of the above Items, in order, in a single pdf file.
Process
The steps of the process are as follows:
A minimally qualified pool is identified from the applicants.
All remaining candidates are evaluated and a “long list” is identified, which will be interviewed via video conference.
Candidates invited to these interviews will be emailed at least one week before the scheduled date.
For candidates advancing to the video interview stage: references will be contacted.
A “shortlist” is developed from the long list, and these candidates will be invited to interview on campus in the first quarter of 2027.
This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.