Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate - Chemical Engineering

Hiring Department: Chemical Engineering

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1028817

Posting Close Date:

Salary: The previously determined salary rage for this position was $80,000 to $90,000.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

About the Chemical Engineering Department

The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is now accepting applications for a Bridge to Faculty Scholar position with a targeted starting date of August 16, 2025. The Bridge to Faculty (B2F) Scholars Program is a UIC postdoctoral initiative designed to recruit outstanding scholars from diverse backgrounds with the goal of transitioning them to tenure-track faculty positions after two years to launch their independent research program (https://diversity.uic.edu/faculty/bridge-to-faculty/). This program seeks to attract and retain talented individuals while advancing faculty diversity to reflect and serve the cultural wealth of our students, community, and nation effectively.

The Department of Chemical Engineering at UIC, housed within the College of Engineering, includes a dynamic and interdisciplinary faculty committed to advancing research and education in chemical engineering. Faculty members actively engage in cutting-edge research in energy storage and conversion, bionanotechnology, soft matter, molecular and nanoscale engineering, artificial intelligence and data science, functional materials, engineering education, water treatment and sustainability. The department is committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and impactful academic community.

UIC chemical engineering fosters an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and empowers diverse voices, ideas, and opinions. We value equity, inclusion, and all forms of diversity within our faculty, staff, and student population. Our multicultural, pluralistic community brings richness in experience, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to all activities in the department. Our goal is to attract world-class scholars to enrich the educational experience of our bright and motivated students. We believe that our department’s scholarship and teaching is enhanced through the inclusion of diverse perspectives. UIC is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse faculty, committed to teaching, and working in a multicultural environment, and we strongly encourage applications for this position from women and members of underrepresented identity groups.

Job Description

The Bridge to Faculty (B2F) Scholars Program aims to enhance diversity among permanent faculty by supporting the recruitment, retention, and promotion of exceptional scholars from underrepresented groups in academia, with a focus on addressing historical inequities in chemical engineering and related fields. This program is designed to recruit postdoctoral scholars and to transition them to tenure-track faculty positions after two years.
Subject to satisfactory performance and University approval, the initial one-year appointment may be renewed for a second year. Successful scholars will have the opportunity to transition to tenure-track faculty roles starting in the 2027-2028 academic year. Participants in the program will benefit from a structured mentoring experience within the department and will engage in cohort-based workshops and events organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Engagement. These experiences are designed to foster collaboration, professional growth, and an inclusive academic community.

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will spend the duration of their two-year scholar appointment working within the Department of Chemical Engineering aligned with their research interests. During this time, the candidate will be mentored by a team of faculty members to support a successful transition to a tenure-track position. B2F Scholars are expected to maintain an active research agenda, work towards publishing their scholarship, and participate in program activities. The individual will have no teaching expectations during the first year and no more than one course during the second year. Further, there are no service expectations during the two years in the program. These protections are provided to ensure that the individual can leverage all the institutional and departmental resources and establish a robust research program to launch a strong tenure-track faculty position as Assistant Professor.

Qualifications
Candidates must have received a Ph.D. in chemical engineering or a related discipline no earlier than 8/15/2020 and no later than 8/16/2025. Candidate must have demonstrated excellence in research with multiple high-impact peer-reviewed research publications.

To apply, please submit the following materials as a single PDF file
Cover Letter: A one-page letter describing your interest in the position and how your academic and professional goals align with the mission and objectives of the department.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV that includes your academic background, professional experience, awards, and a complete list of publications.
Research Statement: A maximum three-page statement detailing your research experience, accomplishments, and future plans, emphasizing how your work will contribute to advancing knowledge in your field.
Teaching Statement: A maximum one-page statement highlighting your teaching philosophy, experience, and strategies for teaching and engaging a diverse student body.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement: A maximum of one-page statement about your past, present, and future contributions to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in your professional career.
References: A list of 3 to 5 references, including their names, affiliations, and contact information.

If you have any questions, please contact Betul Bilgin (bbilgin@uic.edu) or Vikas Berry (vikasb@uic.edu).

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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