Maine College of Engineering and Computing

The Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (CBE) at the University of Maine (UMaine), the flagship R1 campus of the University of Maine System, invites applications for the position of Department Chair. The CBE department (http://www.umaine.edu/chb/) has 15 faculty, two administrative support staff, and two technical support professionals, with ~250 undergraduate, ~25 masters, and ~20 Ph.D. students for a total of about 295 students. The department offers ABET accredited B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering.  At the graduate level it offers M.S. & Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering, and M.S. and 4+1 M.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering. A Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering is offered through the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE).  The department has two External Advisory Boards (EABs); one each for Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering.

The Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering is part of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC).  MCEC is a statewide, integrated college bringing together the natural synergies of engineering disciplines and computing and provides the technical workforce and innovations that are critical to moving our economy forward. MCEC includes the College of Engineering and School of Computing and Information Science at UMaine, the Department of Engineering at the University of Southern Maine (USM), with other collaborators to include the Department of Computer Science at USM and computing programs at University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) and other campuses within the University of Maine System

In addition to the traditional Chemical and Biomedical engineering foci, undergraduates can choose a concentration in Pulp and Paper Management and minors in nanotechnology, renewable energy engineering, pre-medical studies, bioinstrumentation and other minors offered in the College of Engineering and Computing and other colleges. Research expertise in the department focuses on sustainable energy and chemicals; advanced materials; biomedical imaging and biomedical devices. Collaborative multi-disciplinary research opportunities abound with established research centers including: the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI), Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies (FIRST), Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC), Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI), and the Institute of Medicine (IoM), among others. The Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department enjoys the strong support of the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation (UMPPF), the largest, industry-focused foundation of its type in the country. Providing financial support for over 140 students each year, the UMPPF fosters a high level of industry engagement and professional development activities for UMPPF-supported students. The UMPPF also supports faculty, graduate students, and the department financially. The Paper Surface Science Program, an industry-sponsored consortium, and the Process Development Center, a contract research facility with 30,000 sq. ft. in Jenness Hall, provide rich connections with industry for research and collaboration.

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System’s flagship institution. UMaine is the state’s public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.

UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer here.

A strong background in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or closely related discipline, and a Ph.D. are required. Applicants must be committed to excellence in research and undergraduate and graduate education. Qualified applicants for the position are expected to bring outstanding leadership and administrative skills to the department, a strong record in teaching and research, and an articulated vision for the future of the research enterprise and teaching capabilities of the department that align with the University’s Strategic Vision and Values. Ideal candidates will have experience establishing cross-disciplinary collaborations and programs to build strong relationships with academic departments and research centers across the UMaine campus and the University of Maine System, as well as external constituencies including potential students, alumni, and corporations. The candidate’s credentials must be commensurate with appointment as a full professor with tenure in the department.

Materials must be submitted via “Apply For Position” below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:

1.) a resume/curriculum vitae
2.) statement of leadership and vision (2 pages)
3.) statement of research (2 pages)
4.) statement of teaching (1 page)
5.) statement of service experience (1 page)
6.) statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (1 page)
7.) contact information for three professional references

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

Search Timeline is as follows:
Review of applications to begin: November 1, 2023
Screening interviews to begin no earlier than: December 15, 2023
On-site interviews to begin no earlier than: January 15, 2024
Tentative start date: July 1, 2024

Inquiries about this position may be sent to the Dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) Giovanna Guidoboni, at giovanna.guidoboni@maine.edu. The MCEC at the University of Maine is the state’s primary engineering college offering 11 ABET accredited engineering and engineering technology degree programs.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 127 Alumni Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207-581-1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).