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| Company Name: |
University of Illinois |
| Location: |
Urbana, IL |
| Position Type: |
Full Time |
| Post Date: |
02/27/2026 |
| Expire Date: |
04/12/2026 |
| Job Categories: |
Education, Engineering, Collegiate Faculty, Staff, Administration |
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The Grainger College of Engineering: Head & Professor - Materials Science and Engineering
<span style="font-family: Arial"><h2 style="text-align: center"><font size="3">The Grainger College of Engineering</font><br><font size="3"><br>Head & Professor<br><br>Department of Materials Science and Engineering</font></h2></span><p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">The </span><a href="https://grainger.illinois.edu/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Grainger College of Engineering</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt"> at the </span><a href="https://illinois.edu/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt"> seeks a distinguished scholar and strategic leader to serve as the next Head of the </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Department of Materials Science and Engineering</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) is a nationally recognized leader in materials innovation, ranked among the top five undergraduate programs in the country. With 33 dedicated faculty members, 375 undergraduate students, and 231 graduate students, MatSE fosters a vibrant academic community that bridges chemistry, physics, and engineering to address global challenges. The department is home to 17 materials-related research centers and provides access to elite research infrastructure, empowering faculty and students to push boundaries in areas such as clean energy, advanced electronics, quantum materials, and sustainable technologies.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">MatSE faculty and students are at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries with inquiry in six research focus areas: </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/research/electronics-comms"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Electronics, Quantum and Communications</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">, </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/research/data-driven-materials-discovery"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Data-Driven Materials Discovery</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">, </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/research/health-medicine"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Health and Medicine</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">, </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/research/infrastructure"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Infrastructure and Extreme Conditions</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">, </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/research/energy-environment"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Energy and the Environment</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">, and </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/research/advanced-mfg"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Advanced Manufacturing</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">. Collaborations with industry leaders and federal agencies ensure that research translates into real-world impact, while professional development opportunities prepare graduates for careers in academia, industry, and beyond. As part of the Grainger College of Engineering, MatSE combines world-class facilities with a culture of curiosity and innovation, making it an ideal environment for visionary scholars to engineer the next breakthrough. More information about the department’s recent achievements and strategic direction is available in the </span><a href="https://matse.illinois.edu/78306"><span style="font-size: 11pt">2024-2025 Annual Report</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt">Appointment Information</span></b></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">The Department Head is a tenured full Professor in the MatSE Department and reports to the Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering. Applicants must have an earned Ph.D., a scholarly record commensurate with the level of a full professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a renowned reputation in research. This position requires a dynamic leader who can balance administrative duties with visionary leadership to drive the department forward.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Responsibilities include:</span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Leading faculty in research, teaching, and public service.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Engaging with industry, government labs, private foundations, and alumni.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Overseeing administrative, budgetary, and promotion decisions.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">The successful candidate will:</span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Articulate and implement a compelling vision for the future of MatSE at Illinois.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Develop and implement plans for scholarly excellence.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Innovate and maintain cutting-edge curricula and research collaborations.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Foster a supportive environment for faculty and staff development.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Build connections with industry and research institutes.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Engage actively with students and alumni to celebrate and leverage their contributions.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Lead fundraising efforts and establish strategic partnerships.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Promote and engage the department community of students, faculty and staff</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt">Application Procedures & Deadline Information</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></b></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span><span style="font-size: 11pt">Full consideration will be given to applications received by <b>February 28, 2026</b>. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. Those submitted after the stated deadline may still be considered until the position is filled. A start date is expected for August 2026; however, timing is negotiable.</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span><span><span style="font-size: 11pt">The salary range for the nine-month professor position is projected to be $200,000 to $300,000 annually with applicable university benefits. The Head position is a twelve-month appointment that carries an administrative stipend for full-time effort. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at </span><a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">https://jobs.illinois.edu</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a <u>single PDF file</u> in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) a curriculum vitae, 2) a cover letter articulating a vision for the department, 3) and names and contact information for three references (no letters). For further information regarding application procedures, please contact Lori Willoughby at </span><a><span style="font-size: 11pt">rairden@illinois.edu</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">This position is intended to be </span><a href="https://go.illinois.edu/workatillinois"><span style="font-size: 11pt">eligible for benefits</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt">. This includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">We have an active and successful </span><a href="https://provost.illinois.edu/policies/provosts-communications/communication-8-dual-career-academic-couples-program/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Dual Career Academic Couples Program</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt"> and a strong commitment to </span><a href="https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">work-life balance and family-friendly programs</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt"> for faculty and staff.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes <b>24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes</b> awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><a href="https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-recruitment/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Faculty Recruitment </span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt"><br> </span><a href="https://makeitcu.com/" title="https://makeitcu.com/"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Champaign-Urbana</span></a></p><span style="font-family: Arial"><hr><p align="center">The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit <a href="https://go.uillinois.edu/noticesandposters" target="_blank">Required Employment Notices and Posters</a> to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through <a href="https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf" target="_blank">E-Verify</a>.</p><p align="center">Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations <a href="https://illinois-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/" target="_blank">portal</a>, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing <a>accessibility@illinois.edu</a>.</p><hr><p><strong>Requisition ID</strong>: 1034293<br><strong>Job Category</strong>: Faculty<br><strong>Apply at:</strong> <a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu">https://jobs.illinois.edu</a></p><a name="HEJobs" type="hidden" value="Yes"></a><a name="Billing_Name" type="hidden" value="Lori Willoughby"></a><a name="Billing_Email" type="hidden" value="rairden@illinois.edu"></a></span>
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| Company Name: |
University of Illinois |
| Website: | https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/15850?c=illinois |
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Black Health Statistics
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+ African Americans are 70% more likely to get Diabetes than whites.
+ More African Americans are obese than any other ethnic group in the U.S.
+ Infant mortality rates are twice as high for African Americans than for whites.
+ African Americans are more likely to die from Heart Disease than any other ethnic group.
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