Chemical & Biological Engineering

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Professor Danielle Tullman-Ercek and two students in the lab looking at an open binder and smiling.

Assistant/Associate Professor Opening

The Chemical and Biological Engineering Department is now hiring a full-time Assistant/Associate Professor.Apply Now

Lucks and DTE

Lucks, Tullman-Ercek to Lead Center for Synthetic Biology

Julius Lucks and Danielle Tullman-Ercek will succeed Michael Jewett as co-directors of the center, which has attracted renowned interdisciplinary researchers focused on advancing this emerging area of excellence.Read more

Dario Robleto

Finding Emotion and Empathy in Science

During a February 4 opening event, Dario Robleto discussed his new exhibition at the Block Museum of Art.Read more

Vertical Electrochemical Transistor Boosts Wearable Electronics

The electrochemical transistor is compatible with blood and water and can amplify important signals, making it especially useful for biomedical sensing. Read more

Now Hiring: Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor

View our open Chemical Engineering positions

About the Department

Pioneering transformational discoveries to tackle global challenges

Our internationally recognized Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University prepares the next generation of engineers by fostering their growth in a collaborative, multidisciplinary community built on excellence in research and education.

We impact and shape the world through inventions and innovations in soft materials, complex systems, synthetic biology, biotechnology, and catalysis and use them to tackle global challenges in renewable energy, biomanufacturing, clean water, sustainability, and human health.

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Facts and Figures

Setting ourselves apart

10

NSF CAREER awards

12

interdisciplinary research centers, institutes, and programs

13

startup companies

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Research Areas

From transformational discoveries to impactful solutions

Our department combines the fundamentals of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics with technology development to drive discoveries in our core research areas.

Programs

Fostering growth in a collaborative, multidisciplinary community built on excellence in research and education

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Combined BS/MS Degree Program

Minor in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering

Explore special programs in this department and across McCormick

Graduate

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Learn more about interdisciplinary programs and research groups for graduate students

Affiliated

Master of Science in Biotechnology

Department News

Gaps

Closing Gaps to Find New Energy Sources

A multi-institutional research team including Professor Michael Jewett implemented a new process to produce butanol, butanoic acid, hexanol, and hexanoic acid, which could make green energy easier to generate.

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  • Finding Emotion and Empathy in Science

    During a February 4 opening event, Dario Robleto discussed his new exhibition at the Block Museum of Art that employs scientific research in the search for empathy beyond the boundaries of time and space.

    Northwestern Engineering News

  • Julius Lucks, Danielle Tullman-Ercek to Lead Center for Synthetic Biology

    Lucks and Tullman-Ercek will succeed Michael Jewett as co-directors of the center, which has attracted renowned interdisciplinary researchers focused on advancing this emerging area of excellence.

    Northwestern Engineering News

  • Daniel Abrams Named NICO Codirector

    An expert on nonlinear dynamics, mathematical geoscience, and the physics of social systems, Abrams will succeed Professor Luís A.N. Amaral on February 1.

    Northwestern Engineering News

  • Julio M. Ottino Selected for 2023 G.I. Taylor Medal

    Awarded by the Society of Engineering Science, Ottino was recognized for “pioneering theoretical and experimental contributions to the fluid mechanics of mixing.”

    Northwestern Engineering News

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Events

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Discover Our Whole-Brain Engineering Philosophy

We augment the analytical core of engineering with design, entrepreneurship, leadership, personal development, and unusual collaborations to imagine what's next and take the world in a whole new direction.

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