Chair & Professor

• An earned doctorate in chemical engineering or a closely related field.
• A distinguished record of scholarly research, education, mentoring, and professional contribution that merits appointment as a tenured full professor at the University of Florida.
• Evidence of successful leadership in a research-intensive university or comparably complex organization, including building collaborative, high-performing organizational cultures and developing faculty, staff, and emerging leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and articulate a compelling strategic vision to advance the reputation and ranking of the department by translating that vision into clear priorities, strategic investments and measurable outcomes.
• Is skilled in the development and expansion of sponsored research programs, including fostering collaborative research and advancing high-impact programs.
• Excellent communication, judgment, integrity, and relationship-building skills; ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and to a scholarly and working environment where people with varied backgrounds and perspectives can contribute and thrive.
• Experience with external engagement and development, such as industry partnerships, alumni outreach, and fundraising.

The next Chair will join the Department at an important point in its development. The Department has 25 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, 6 instructional faculty members, and 17 affiliate faculty members. It enrolls more than 70 Ph.D. students, approximately 15 M.S. students, and over 475 undergraduate students in an ABET accredited program. Faculty conduct experimental and computational research in materials science and engineering, biotechnology, and energy systems, with computational as well as experimental focus and with annual research expenditures of approximately $6.5 million.

The Department’s primary building is undergoing a comprehensive renovation scheduled for completion in Summer 2027, with more than $44 million in support from the State of Florida. The renovated building will include research laboratories, teaching laboratories, shared facilities, and collaboration spaces. The next Chair will be able to establish an active research program in the renovated building while helping align the new space, faculty strengths, University investments, and external partnerships with the Department’s next phase of growth.

The successful candidate will develop a shared vision for the Department and provide the leadership needed to translate that vision into action. This includes identifying areas in which UF Chemical Engineering can lead; developing faculty and future leaders; strengthening research and educational programs; expanding engagement with industry and other external partners; managing human, financial, and physical resources; and positioning the Department to pursue major opportunities beyond the work of any individual faculty member.

Leadership and Department Development

The Chair will work effectively with faculty who bring broad expertise and experience, identify opportunities, establish priorities, build support for those priorities, and create the conditions for faculty, staff, and students to succeed. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing a strategic vision that builds on existing strengths and identifies areas in which UF Chemical Engineering can grow and lead during the next five to ten years.
• Translating that vision into priorities for faculty recruitment, research development, educational programs, facilities, partnerships, advancement, and resource allocation.
• Recruiting, mentoring, retaining, and supporting outstanding faculty and staff while developing leadership capacity across career stages.
• Fostering shared governance, effective communication, collaboration, and accountability while advocating for the Department within HWCOE and across UF.

Research Leadership and External Engagement

The Chair will help increase the scale, impact, and visibility of the Department’s research. The successful candidate will bring an established record of competitive federal funding and an understanding of how to develop and sustain strong individual and collaborative programs. Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining an active, externally funded research program while serving as Chair.
• Supporting competitive faculty research programs and creating opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Recognizing emerging opportunities, connecting complementary expertise, and building teams able to compete for major collaborative programs, centers, and institutes.
• Facilitating participation in interdisciplinary UF initiatives, including the UF Health Cancer Center, UF Astraeus Space Institute, Florida Semiconductor Institute, and other University research programs.
• Strengthening connections with University research infrastructure, other academic units, national and international laboratories, government agencies, foundations, and external partners.

Industry Partnerships and Engagement

The Chair will expand industry engagement as an important component of research growth and student education, strengthening relationships with industries important to Florida and the Southeast while also developing national and international partnerships. Key responsibilities include:

• Growing industry-sponsored research and sustained university-industry partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for faculty and students.
• Supporting consortia, federal programs, public-private partnerships, and other models that connect academic and industrial expertise.
• Expanding industry participation in internships and co-ops, sponsored projects, research experiences, seminars, mentoring, and professional development.
• Working with faculty, College leadership, alumni, and industry partners to keep degree programs responsive to evolving technical and workforce needs.
• Developing national and international industry relationships that broaden research, education, student placement, and professional opportunities.

Faculty Student and Community Engagement

The Chair will recognize and develop the varied contributions of faculty and staff, create opportunities for individuals to advance shared goals, and cultivate the Department’s next generation of academic leaders. Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the professional growth and success of faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
• Identifying leadership potential and creating opportunities for rising faculty to contribute to Department, College, University, and professional leadership.
• Promoting excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate education, mentoring, recruitment, and professional development.
• Supporting undergraduate research and meaningful engagement between students and faculty.
• Recognizing contributions in research, teaching, mentoring, outreach to Florida schools and communities, professional service, and leadership.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience

• An earned doctorate in chemical engineering or a closely related field.
• A distinguished record of scholarly research, education, mentoring, and professional contribution that merits appointment as a tenured full professor at the University of Florida.
• Evidence of successful leadership in a research-intensive university or comparably complex organization, including building collaborative, high-performing organizational cultures and developing faculty, staff, and emerging leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and articulate a compelling strategic vision to advance the reputation and ranking of the department by translating that vision into clear priorities, strategic investments and measurable outcomes.
• Is skilled in the development and expansion of sponsored research programs, including fostering collaborative research and advancing high-impact programs.
• Excellent communication, judgment, integrity, and relationship-building skills; ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and to a scholarly and working environment where people with varied backgrounds and perspectives can contribute and thrive.
• Experience with external engagement and development, such as industry partnerships, alumni outreach, and fundraising.

• Experience recruiting, mentoring, evaluating, and retaining faculty and staff across career stages and appointment types.
• Experience developing multidisciplinary initiatives, major collaborative proposals, centers, institutes, or other large-scale research activities.
• Experience building productive industry partnerships, including sponsored research, consortia, or public-private collaborations.
• Experience using industry engagement to strengthen education, experiential learning, workforce preparation, and research opportunities.
• The ability to identify emerging funding opportunities and organize faculty and external partners around them.
• Experience working with College and University leadership and across academic units.
• Experience in advancement, philanthropy, alumni engagement, or development of external resources.
• Professional leadership and service in chemical engineering or a related discipline.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to receive applications until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted through UFCareers at: https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/listing/ (Search Job 541748). Complete applications must include the following files in PDF format: (1) A cover letter describing the candidate's interest in the position, relevant academic leadership experience, and scholarly background; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of five professional references. (Additional required documents should be uploaded as one PDF to the “other documents” section in the application.); (4) a leadership vision statement of no more than 3 pages detailing your leadership approach, a preliminary vision for the department, and two or three strategic priorities the candidate would explore with the community. Competitive candidates are expected to clearly complement the overall mission of the department and the college. The anticipated start date for this position is August 16, 2027. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026. Please direct questions about the position to Senior Associate Dean John M. Shea, Faculty Search Chair, email: jmshea@ufl.edu

About the University of Florida and the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

The University of Florida is the flagship institution of the State University System of Florida, a member of the Association of American Universities, and consistently ranked among the nation’s leading public universities.  UF is currently ranked as one of the top 10 best public universities, 8th according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report of Best Colleges and is recognized by Forbes as one of 10 public “New Ivies” for producing exceptional graduates. With 16 colleges, more than 150 research centers and institutes, and over 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UF is one of the largest universities in the nation. UF offers broad opportunities for interdisciplinary work across engineering, medicine, agriculture, the sciences, and other fields. In FY2026, University of Florida research spending reached a record $1.34 billion. UF is also home to HiPerGator, the fastest AI supercomputer in higher education. The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering has over 400 faculty members and combines disciplinary depth with cross-cutting institutes, centers, shared facilities, industry partnerships, and a statewide mission. 

About the Department

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers ABET accredited B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering. The Department includes 25 primary faculty members, including 6 instructional faculty members, and 17 affiliate faculty members. Current graduate enrollment includes more than 70 Ph.D. students and approximately 15 M.S. students, with over 475 students enrolled in the undergraduate program.

Faculty research spans 7 research thrusts that cover major areas in materials, biotechnology, and energy systems using both computational and experimental methods. UF Chemical Engineering primary faculty include 3 active NIH MIRA Awardees and 3 active NSF CAREER Awardees. Current research is supported by federal agencies including NSF, NIH, DOE, NASA and DARPA, as well as industry, foundations, and other sponsors. These current efforts result in average annual research expenditures are approximately $6.5M.

The Department has substantial opportunities for interdisciplinary research and education across the University of Florida. Growing areas of University investment relevant to Chemical Engineering include biomedical and health-related research through both UF and UF Health initiatives, such as the UF Cancer Center, agricultural efforts though UF IFAS and Extension Offices, space research and technology through the UF Astraeus Space Institute, and semiconductor research, manufacturing, and workforce development through the Florida Semiconductor Institute. Faculty also collaborate broadly across HWCOE and with researchers throughout UF.

For more information about college or department initiatives, visit eng.ufl.edu or che.ufl.edu.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.