Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Assistant/Asso

Brown University - School of Engineering; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University, School of Engineering, invites applications for multiple full-time tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, with an expected start date of July 1, 2027. We seek visionary researchers and educators in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering.

We emphasize an interdisciplinary, non-departmental structure and solicit candidates who will build an impactful, independently funded research program and

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in engineering, physics, chemistry, or closely related discipline is required by appointment.
• A strong track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications, a compelling future research vision, and potential for external funding.
• Commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring a diverse student body.

Responsibilities

• Establish an independently funded research program with deep interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Contribute to teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels and mentor a diverse student body.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Research leadership

Teaching excellence

Education

PhD in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related

Job description

Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Position Type: Full-time, Tenure-Track
Rank: Assistant Professor or Associate Professor
Expected Start Date: July 1, 2027

Position Description

The School of Engineering at Brown University invites applications for several full-time faculty positions
at the Assistant or Associate Professor level (pre-tenure), with an expected start date of July 1, 2027. We
seek visionary researchers and educators in the fields of Chemical Engineering, Environmental
Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, broadly defined.

Established in 1847, the engineering program at Brown is the oldest in the Ivy League and the third
oldest civilian engineering program in the country. Brown Engineering is distinguished by a unique, non-
departmental structure designed to break down traditional academic silos, while offering rigorous
accredited programs in all major branches of engineering. Successful applicants will build an impactful,
independently funded research program that fosters deep interdisciplinary collaboration. We welcome
candidates utilizing a broad spectrum of modern research methodologies.

Areas of Interest

Chemical and Environmental Engineering

We welcome applicants working across a wide range of forward-looking areas, with specific interests
including, but not limited to:

• Industrial Decarbonization: Novel pathways for difficult-to-abate sectors such as green cement,
  low-carbon steel, sustainable hydrocarbon management, metabolic engineering, and synthetic
  fuel development.
• Modeling & Systems Integration: Optimization theory, physical modeling, large-scale energy
  systems integration, computational discovery, atmospheric dynamics, and life-cycle analysis.
• Separations and Transport Phenomena: Advanced membranes, electrochemical separations,
  voltage-responsive materials, fate and transport of environmental pollutants.
• Critical Minerals Recovery: Sustainable extraction, recycling, and processing of elements
  essential to the global energy transition.
• Coastal & Climate Resilience: Engineering solutions addressing sea-level rise, infrastructure
  protection, natural hazards, water sustainability, and ecosystem vulnerability.
• Environmental Microbiology: microbial fuel cells, biotransformation of emerging contaminants,
  methanotrophs for climate change mitigation, metagenomics of microbial communities, plant-
  microbe interactions.
• Water Treatment Technologies: bioreactors, forward osmosis, nanofiltration, nanosorbents,
  advanced oxidation processes.

Materials Science and Engineering

We seek candidates pushing the boundaries of structure, properties, and processing of materials, with
specific interests including, but not limited to:

• Quantum Materials & Devices: Design, synthesis, and multiscale modeling of materials for
  quantum computing, light-driven phenomena, advanced sensing, and solid-state devices,
  
• AI-Enabled Materials Discovery & Characterization: Application of machine learning,
  autonomous workflows, and AI tools for accelerated materials design and automated
  characterization.
• Materials for Low-Power Computing: Novel materials systems designed to address the energy
  demands of next-generation microelectronics and neuromorphic architectures.
• Mechano-Coupled Phenomena: Interfacial mechanics, chemo-mechanics, and stress-driven
  behavior in structural or functional materials, especially under extreme environments.

Qualifications

• Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related
  discipline is required by the time of appointment.
• Research Excellence: A strong track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications, a
  compelling future research vision, and clear potential for securing external funding.
• Teaching & Mentorship: A commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching,
  as well as a dedication to mentoring a diverse student body within the classroom and
  laboratory.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to [e-mail].

About the Environment

Brown University's School of Engineering provides a unique environment, emphasizing the power of
interdisciplinary thought with a focus on expanding connections across engineering disciplines and
beyond traditional departmental and school boundaries. The successful candidate will become affiliated
with one or more of the interdisciplinary groups within the School of Engineering and contribute to
teaching efforts and research across the school, including Chemical Engineering, Environmental
Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and
retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin,
disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other
characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and
activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and
performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with
applicable law.

Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2026 and will continue until the positions are filled.