Description
Position Summary
The College of Engineering at the University of Georgia seeks an exceptional scholar, educator, and leader to serve as the Chair of the School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering (CMB). The College invites applications for a 9-month tenured faculty position at the Full Professor level to fill this role. This position is slated to begin on August 1, 2025. The Chair will report directly to the Dean of the College.
The School of CMB is an innovative academic unit designed to promote interdisciplinary research and education at the boundaries of engineering disciplines. It is one of four academic units in a rapidly growing College of Engineering at the University of Georgia: the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering, the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the School of Computing -- a joint partnership with Franklin College of Arts & Sciences.
The Chair of the School of CMB is expected to lead in the execution of College- and University-level strategic plans by building on the already strong culture of collaboration and innovation in the School, by expanding its reputation, promoting inclusive excellence, and demonstrating an enduring commitment to high-quality research and educational programs. The School of CMB currently consists of 18 full-time faculty members and over 500 students enrolled in 7 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The School administers a majority of the gateway courses that form the core of CMB’s undergraduate curriculum as well as the School’s upper-level elective and graduate-level courses. The School Chair of CMB will be ultimately responsible for the successful administration of CMB degree programs, including: BS in Biochemical Engineering, BS in Biological Engineering, MS in Biomanufacturing and Bioprocessing, MS in Biochemical Engineering, MS in Biological Engineering, Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering, and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. The use of chemical, materials, and biomedical within the School name is intentional, and the School Chair will be expected to work alongside the faculty to enhance interdisciplinary activities within the School and with the broader University community. Research activities within the School are interdisciplinary and represent the College’s theme of addressing critical societal needs through the development of creative solutions for human health and wellness issues and to support the global transition to a sustainable bio-economy.
As the curriculum and academic head, the School Chair will be expected to coordinate instructional assignments for the undergraduate and graduate programs that are administered by the School and will be responsible for ensuring continued accreditation of degree programs.
The School of CMB is developing an international reputation as a thought leader in the industrialization of biology and biological systems. The faculty have acclaimed expertise in bio-based manufacturing, renewable energy and chemicals, sustainable new materials and next-gen advanced therapeutics and medical devices. The next Chair of the School of CMB is expected to have an international reputation in chemical, materials, and/or biomedical engineering with the ability to continue growing and developing the School’s stature among peer and aspirational institutions.
The School Chair will join a rapidly growing engineering college that combines interdisciplinary research and scholarship with excellent instruction and service. The UGA College of Engineering includes over 1,800 computing and 3,000 engineering undergraduate and graduate students and has 45 computing faculty and 104 engineering faculty members across 21 degree programs. Significant investments in infrastructure have resulted in an expansion of laboratory facilities for research and scholarship and new classrooms and instructional labs. College of Engineering faculty have space in a number of major capital projects on campus with established interdisciplinary research facilities. Our main instructional facility, Driftmier Engineering Center, has also recently undergone a complete renovation to create flexible classrooms that enable a range of teaching modalities and the incorporation of interdisciplinary instructional labs. The common instructional facilities also foster interdisciplinary collaboration as they allow faculty, staff, and students to interact and collaborate in a single facility.
Application Procedure
To apply, please submit applications at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/399563
Applicants are asked to submit the following information along with their application:
A full, detailed curriculum vita.
A two-page statement of interest in the position that includes a description of the applicant’s leadership style and a synthesis of past leadership experiences in both interdisciplinary teams/organizations.
A two-page statement describing how the candidate will work with our faculty, staff, and students to promote interdisciplinary activities and further foster a community of learning, discovery, and innovation within the School of CMB. The applicant is also asked to comment how they see the College and UGA fitting into the global context.
A two-page statement on how the candidate plans to promote and continue to elevate the work performed in the School of CMB to the global stage and how they will execute a five- or 10-year plan to promote the School as a globally recognized thought leader in the field.
The names, titles, and contact information for five professional references.
Questions related to the position may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Fred Beyette at fred.beyette@uga.edu. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Full consideration will be given to applications submitted prior to December 15, 2024.
About the University of Georgia
The University of Georgia (UGA), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 15 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 42,000 students including over 32,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens. UGA recently approved a School of Medicine which is expected to begin admitting students in 2026.
About the College of Engineering and the School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering
The College of Engineering at the University of Georgia is one of the fastest growing colleges at UGA and one of the fastest growing public colleges of engineering in the nation. Since our founding in 2012, enrollment in the College of Engineering has grown to nearly 5,000 engineering and computing students. Students and faculty alike are attracted to our setting in a comprehensive, land-grant, research institution that’s consistently ranked among the 15 best public universities in the nation. The rapidly expanding UGA engineering program focuses on opportunities for learning, discovery and innovation at the confluence of disciplines.
The School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering is building a vibrant academic environment that fosters engineering education in a liberal arts environment and research that addresses critical societal needs. The School offers undergraduate and graduate engineering degree programs in biochemical engineering and biological engineering and has grown rapidly to over 500 undergraduate and graduate students and 18 faculty members.
Additional information is available at cmbe.uga.edu
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
All candidates must have a Ph.D. in Engineering with an emphasis on chemical, materials, and/or biomedical engineering.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants are expected to have a strong record of scholarship, teaching, and service. Applicants at the full professor rank will be considered if their accomplishments warrant tenure at the rank of Professor.
Preferred qualifications also include experience in administration of academic and/or non-academic organizations, experience in staff supervision, and experience in budgetary management. The applicant should be able to work effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and administrators to achieve common goals and to maintain rapport with alumni, nonprofit, government, advisory groups, and industry representatives. In addition to these attributes, we will be closely examining the applicant’s credentials in promoting, growing, and sustaining interdisciplinary teaching and research activities.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must also have a documented research background appropriate for the appointment rank, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, extramural funding, and mentorship of doctoral students. For information about the requirements for each faculty rank, please see the UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure.
To be eligible for tenure upon appointment, candidates must be appointed as a full professor, have been tenured at a prior institution, and bring a demonstrable national reputation to the institution. Candidates must be approved for tenure upon appointment before hire.
