Careers
Open Rank Research Professor in Materials Science and Engineering

Position  
Open rank Research Professor in Materials Science and Engineering – Dean Christopher Schuh lab 

Statement of Duties  
The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating research activities and carrying out research tasks in a multifaceted research group that uses experiments, analytical theory, and computer simulations to explore the processing-structure-property relationships in structural metals and materials. The ideal candidate will have experience in either experimental or computational physical metallurgy, a strong track record of scientific output, and experience in managing scientific projects from the proposal stage, through project and personnel management during execution, and dissemination through written and oral projects.  They are expected to participate in and coordinate many research projects, support the research activities of students and postdocs, and manage the space, equipment, and usage of a laboratory. They will take a leadership role in the definition of new projects, the guidance of active projects, and the strategy and execution of disseminating research results.  

Research faculty are professional investigators who are interested in and capable of independent investigation and publication, and who support the research mission of the University by assisting the department to achieve its research goals. They will contribute to the department’s mission and be committed to supporting diversity, equity, and a community of inclusion.  

Minimum Quantifications and Other Credentials   

  • A PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field by the time of appointment  
  • A robust research and publication track record  
  • A demonstrated commitment to mentorship and experience with management of researchers 
  • Experience with project management from the stage of proposal, through execution, to dissemination and final report 

Proposed Start Date  
January 1, 2024 (negotiable) 

Closing Date for Receipt of Applications  
The search will remain open until it is filled, but candidates applying before October 31, 2023 will receive full consideration.

Application Instructions 

Applicants must submit the following materials via email to msefacsearch@northwestern.edu  

  • Cover Letter 
  • Curriculum Vitae  
  • Research Statement  

Address all inquiries to msefacsearch@northwestern.edu 

Information on Position  

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, invites applications for a research faculty position. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to conduct high-impact research that will broaden the discipline and reflects the future of the field.  

The first academic department of its kind in the world, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University leads the field in materials innovation and education. Driven by curiosity and the thrill of discovery, faculty members use a transdisciplinary approach to connect fundamental science with engineering research, enabling technologies that improve our lives. The MSE Department consists of 24 faculty members and over 200 graduate students, 70 post-doctoral scholars, and 100 undergraduates. Research programs span many sub-disciplines of materials science and engineering that extend beyond traditional MSE boundaries. Faculty collaborate across departments in the McCormick School of Engineering, the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and the Feinberg School of Medicine and outside institutions, such as the Art Institute of Chicago and nearby national laboratories, including Argonne National Laboratory, home of the Advanced Photon Source and the Center for Nanoscale Materials, and Fermilab, home of America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory. The MSE Department is home to state-of-the-art facilities for characterization, synthesis, and nanofabrication and incubates interdisciplinary collaborations through convergence research. The MSE Department anchors key federally and privately sponsored centers and institutes, including the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), NIST Center for Hierarchical Materials Design (CHiMaD), Simpson Querrey Institute (SQI), International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN), Institute for Sustainability and Energy (ISEN), and the NU Technology Accelerator.  

For more information about the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, visit our website at https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/materials-science. 

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today. 

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.