CHAIR & PROFESSOR, Chemical Engineering

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Florida seeks a Chair & Professor to lead its Department of Chemical Engineering. The Chair will develop a shared vision for the Department and translate it into strategic priorities, investments, and measurable outcomes. The role includes developing faculty and future leaders, strengthening research and educational programs, expanding external engagement, managing departmental resources, and positioning the Department to pursue opportunities beyond the work of individual faculty members. 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 research spans materials science and engineering, biotechnology, and energy systems, using experimental and computational methods, 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, supported by more than $44 million from the State of Florida. The renovated building will include research and teaching laboratories, shared facilities, and collaboration spaces. The Chair can establish an active research program in the renovated building while aligning the new space, faculty strengths, University investments, and external partnerships with the Department’s next phase of growth. The Chair will lead department development, research growth, external and industry engagement, and faculty, student, and community engagement. The position includes maintaining an active, externally funded research program while serving as Chair and helping increase the scale, impact, and visibility of Department research. The Chair will also support educational excellence, industry-connected learning, and the professional development and success of faculty, staff, and students. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2027. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Applications are reviewed immediately and accepted until the position is filled; priority consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in chemical engineering or a closely related field.
Distinguished record of scholarly research, education, mentoring, and professional contribution meriting 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 and translate it into clear priorities, strategic investments, and measurable outcomes to advance the Department’s reputation and ranking.
Skill in developing and expanding sponsored research programs, fostering collaborative research, and advancing high-impact programs.
Excellent communication, judgment, integrity, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to 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.
Established record of competitive federal funding and understanding of how to develop and sustain strong individual and collaborative research programs.

Nice To Haves

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.
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.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a strategic vision that builds on Department strengths and identifies areas for growth and leadership over the next five to ten years.
Translate the vision into priorities for faculty recruitment, research development, educational programs, facilities, partnerships, advancement, and resource allocation.
Recruit, mentor, retain, and support outstanding faculty and staff, and develop leadership capacity across career stages.
Foster shared governance, effective communication, collaboration, and accountability, and advocate for the Department within HWCOE and across UF.
Maintain an active, externally funded research program while serving as Chair.
Support competitive faculty research programs and create opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration.
Identify emerging research opportunities, connect complementary expertise, and build teams for major collaborative programs, centers, and institutes.
Facilitate participation in interdisciplinary University initiatives, including the UF Health Cancer Center, UF Astraeus Space Institute, and Florida Semiconductor Institute.
Strengthen connections with University research infrastructure, academic units, national and international laboratories, government agencies, foundations, and external partners.
Grow industry-sponsored research and sustained university-industry partnerships that create opportunities for faculty and students.
Support consortia, federal programs, public-private partnerships, and other models connecting academic and industrial expertise.
Expand industry participation in internships, co-ops, sponsored projects, research experiences, seminars, mentoring, and professional development.
Work with faculty, College leadership, alumni, and industry partners to keep degree programs responsive to evolving technical and workforce needs.
Develop national and international industry relationships that broaden research, education, student placement, and professional opportunities.
Support the professional growth and success of faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
Identify leadership potential and create opportunities for rising faculty to contribute to Department, College, University, and professional leadership.
Promote excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate education, mentoring, recruitment, and professional development.
Support undergraduate research and meaningful engagement between students and faculty.
Recognize contributions in research, teaching, mentoring, outreach to Florida schools and communities, professional service, and leadership.
Manage human, financial, and physical resources and position the Department to pursue opportunities beyond the work of individual faculty members.