Asst/Assoc/Full Professor in Energy Engineering

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas (KU) Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering invites applications for a full-time tenure/tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. The department focuses on energy and sustainability, including energy systems, energy materials, and mineral processing.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and secure external research funding while

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemical engineering or closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to educate, mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Strong potential for teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team-based academic environment.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate/graduate core and elective courses in chemical engineering and participate in curriculum development.
• Conduct and direct cutting-edge research; train and graduate Master's and PhD students; obtain external funding.
• Provide service to the department, school, university, and wider communities.

Skills

Research capability

Teaching ability

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Job description

Position Overview

The University of Kansas (KU) Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering (ChEE) invites applications for a full-time tenure/tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. Applications are welcome from candidates with research experience that aligns with the Department's strength in energy and sustainability, including but not limited to electrochemical energy systems, energy materials, energy process systems engineering, and critical mineral separation and processing. The department currently has 23 faculty, over 300 students, and is home to several research centers including the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC): Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) and the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC).

The selected candidate for the position will have a strong record of scholarly publications and the ability to secure external research funding sufficient to support and maintain an independent research program. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to educate and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Faculty in the department are expected to conduct and publish original research, collaborate with others in the department, school and university, advise graduate and undergraduate students, teach undergraduate and graduate level courses, and perform service at the university, national, and international levels. The new hire will be encouraged to collaborate with faculty in other areas of Engineering and other disciplines to advance research and education to create an impactful and sustained externally funded research program. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

The Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics. UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and it is the candidate’s right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university, an R-1 institution, and one of just 71 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Our university consistently earns high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university (engaging in $611 million of research in fiscal year 2025). KU offers more than 8,000 courses, 460 degree and certificate programs, and more than 200 fields of study. As of Fall 2025, student enrollment for the Lawrence-Edwards campus was 27,212 representing all 50 states and 115 countries.

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

Job Description

40% Teaching

Responsibilities include (a) teaching undergraduate/graduate core and elective courses in chemical engineering, (b) developing courses and participating in curriculum development, (c) mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, and (d) advising graduate students, including chairing doctoral dissertation committees.

40% Research

Responsibilities include (a) conducting and directing cutting-edge research, (b) training and graduating Master's and PhD students, serving as thesis/dissertation committee chair, (c) securing external funding to sustain an independent research program, (d) publishing in peer-reviewed journals, (e) presenting at professional conferences, (f) serving as a member of graduate thesis and dissertation committees, (f) as appropriate, developing intellectual property. The position will enable participation in the education and training of students and postdoctoral researchers in the Department.

20% Service

Responsibilities include performing service for the Department, School, University, academic and research profession, and interacting effectively with students, faculty, and local, national, and international communities.

Required Qualifications (All Ranks)

• Ph.D. in chemical engineering or a closely related field by the start date of appointment.
• Research experience and/or expertise that aligns with one or more of the Department's focus areas in energy and sustainability.
• Demonstrated or high potential for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Commitment to educating, mentoring, and advising undergraduate and graduate students.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others in a team-based academic environment.

Additional Required Qualifications By Rank

• Assistant Professor: Demonstrated high potential for conducting an independent research program, as evidenced by a strong publication record and identification of external funding opportunities.
• Associate Professor: Established record of scholarly publications and successful external research funding, and demonstrated excellence in teaching and graduate student mentorship commensurate with the associate professor rank.
• Full Professor: Sustained, nationally or internationally recognized record of research and scholarship, a strong history of external funding, demonstrated excellence in teaching and graduate student mentorship, and demonstrated leadership in the field commensurate with the full professor rank.

Contact Information to Applicants

Prof. Kevin Leonard, Professor, [e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

Commensurate with experience

Anticipated Start Date

Wednesday August 18, 2027