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 ofIllinois Chicago (UIC) is now accepting applications for a Bridge to Faculty Scholarposition with a targeted starting date of August 16, 2025. The Bridge toFaculty (B2F) Scholars Program is a UIC postdoctoral initiative designed torecruit outstanding scholars from diverse backgrounds with the goal oftransitioning them to tenure-track faculty positions after two years to launchtheir independent research program (https://diversity.uic.edu/faculty/bridge-to-faculty/).This program seeks to attract and retain talented individuals while advancingfaculty diversity to reflect and serve the cultural wealth of our students,community, and nation effectively.
The Department of Chemical Engineering at UIC, housed withinthe College of Engineering, includes a dynamic and interdisciplinary facultycommitted to advancing research and education in chemical engineering. Facultymembers actively engage in cutting-edge research in energy storage andconversion, bionanotechnology, soft matter, molecular and nanoscaleengineering, artificial intelligence and data science, functional materials, engineeringeducation, water treatment and sustainability. The department is committed tofostering a collaborative, inclusive, and impactful academic community.
UIC chemical engineering fosters an inclusive environmentthat encourages, supports, and empowers diverse voices, ideas, and opinions. Wevalue equity, inclusion, and all forms of diversity within our faculty, staff,and student population. Our multicultural, pluralistic community bringsrichness in experience, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to all activitiesin the department. Our goal is to attract world-class scholars to enrich theeducational experience of our bright and motivated students. We believe thatour department's scholarship and teaching is enhanced through the inclusion ofdiverse perspectives. UIC is dedicated to the goal of building a culturallydiverse faculty, committed to teaching, and working in a multiculturalenvironment, and we strongly encourage applications for this position fromwomen and members of underrepresented identity groups.
Job Description
The Bridge to Faculty (B2F) Scholars Program aims to enhancediversity among permanent faculty by supporting the recruitment, retention, andpromotion of exceptional scholars from underrepresented groups in academia,with a focus on addressing historical inequities in chemical engineering andrelated fields. This program is designed to recruit postdoctoral scholars and totransition 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. Successfulscholars will have the opportunity to transition to tenure-track faculty rolesstarting in the 2027-2028 academic year. Participants in the program willbenefit from a structured mentoring experience within the department and willengage in cohort-based workshops and events organized by the Office of the ViceChancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Engagement. These experiences aredesigned to foster collaboration, professional growth, and an inclusiveacademic community.
Duties & Responsibilities
The successful candidate will spend the duration of their two-yearscholar appointment working within the Department of Chemical Engineeringaligned with their research interests. During this time, the candidate will bementored by a team of faculty members to support a successful transition to atenure-track position. B2F Scholars are expected to maintain an active researchagenda, work towards publishing their scholarship, and participate in programactivities. The individual will have no teaching expectations during thefirst 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 allthe institutional and departmental resources and establish a robust researchprogram to launch a strong tenure-track faculty position as Assistant Professor.
Qualifications
Candidates must have received a Ph.D. in chemicalengineering or a related discipline no earlier than 8/15/2020 and no later than8/16/2025. Candidate must have demonstrated excellence in research with multiplehigh-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) orVikas 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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