Chair and Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Applications are invited for the position of Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) at Vanderbilt University. This position seeks an accomplished visionary leader dedicated to overseeing a department committed to impactful research and innovative educational programs. A strong record in research, education, mentorship, and service is required. The next Chair is expected to direct ChBE during a time of historic growth and expansion for both ChBE and the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt.
The School of Engineering has announced a commitment to establishing an interdisciplinary Energy Cluster aimed at addressing grand societal and scientific challenges. This search is open to all areas; however, candidates with research interests applied to areas of energy storage and conversion, catalysis and separations, electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, and manufacturing are of particular interest. Applicants for this tenured Professor position will be eligible for the endowed John R. Hall Chair in Chemical Engineering at Vanderbilt.
Housed in the School of Engineering, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt includes 14 primary faculty, serving over 130 undergraduate students and more than 50 graduate students. The department maintains a vibrant research environment with annual expenditures in excess of $11M and has steadily climbed the USNWR graduate rankings. Our department is consistently ranked as one of the top five chemical engineering departments in the U.S. with fifteen or fewer faculty.
The department is located a short walk from Vanderbilt’s other engineering and science departments and is adjacent to the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE), a nucleus for nanoscale materials research. It is one of numerous interdisciplinary centers and institutes on campus that offers comprehensive and state-of-the-art core facilities and means for engagement across departments.
Qualifications
We seek a leader who will move the department forward with a strong record of mentorship, community building, and support of others. The ideal candidate exhibits outstanding scholarship and a collegial, transparent, collaborative yet decisive, and empowering leadership style. The candidate must have significant recognition for high-impact scholarship in chemical engineering or a related area, affirm a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and education, and have comprehensive leadership acumen in mentoring faculty, staff, and students. The department chair must effectively communicate the department’s goals and vision internally, across departments, with the dean and university leadership, and with external stakeholders, including alumni and donors.
Candidates must also bring a nationally and internationally recognized and well-funded research program that will strengthen one or more areas of research excellence in the university. Ultimately, the department chair must be committed to Vanderbilt University’s mission to bring out the best in humanity by pushing new ideas into the frontiers of discovery and serving others.
Application Instructions
Application materials are to be submitted to https://apply.interfolio.com/174359 and must include:
- a cover letter,
- a complete curriculum vitae,
- a statement that addresses the applicant’s leadership experience/philosophy, and a vision for the future of ChBE.
References and Statements on Research, Teaching, and Service may be requested at later stages of the review process. Review of applications will begin upon receipt with applications received by November 15, 2025 undergoing priority review. All applications will receive full consideration until the position is closed. Please address questions to Paul Laibinis at paul.e.laibinis@vanderbilt.edu
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