Open Rank (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor)

Job Description Summary
Organization's Summary Statement:

Position Summary:  

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), (https://www.mse.umd.edu) is seeking outstanding applicants for a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty position in the area of functional polymers and soft materials. Academic rank is open depending on qualifications. Preferences will be given to candidates who can bridge these areas with existing research strengths within MSE in one or more of the following areas: functional/quantum materials, energy materials, additive manufacturing, composites, electron microscopy, and AI-driven/computational approaches to materials science. Exceptional candidates with expertise outside these areas are also welcome to apply.

Minimum Qualifications / Preferences:

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Materials Science Engineering or a related discipline such as physics or chemistry. We seek candidates who can lead interdisciplinary materials research and establish vibrant research and teaching programs at the University of Maryland. Senior hire is expected to have demonstrated leadership and should plan to lead new areas of research. The successful candidate will be expected to establish and sustain an influential, externally funded research program; provide innovative instruction and mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students; and advance the department’s collaborative culture and broader mission. Responsibilities will include producing high-quality scholarship, developing and delivering effective courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, participating in faculty governance and institutional development, serving the broader scientific community, and cultivating partnerships across the MSE department, the A. James Clark School of Engineering, and the university, as well as with industry, government, and community organizations. The University is located close to NSF, NIH, and other funding agencies, and has strong research ties with government research labs (DoD, NIST, etc.), corporations, and start-ups.

Some notable facts for the Department, College, and University include:

● The Materials Science and Engineering Department (MSE) currently consists of 19 tenure/tenure-track faculty

● The College received a significant gift from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation of $220M. This includes funding to assist faculty and attract and fund first-year PhD students.

● The A. James Clark School of Engineering has added or will be completing several new buildings (Clark Hall and Zupnik Hall) that offer expansive lab space, innovation labs for capstone design projects, and a quantum technology center.

● UMD is a leader in Quantum Computing (quantum.umd.edu) that partners with leaders in the computing industry and government.

● UMD is also a leader in Artificial Intelligence (ai.umd.edu) with a recently formed center Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM)

The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland catalyzes high-quality research, innovation, and learning, preparing our students to create innovations that will address the 21st-century Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) and improve the human condition.  The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, accelerating entrepreneurship, and transforming research and learning activities into innovations that benefit millions.

We are committed to attracting and retaining outstanding faculty and staff who will enhance our stature of preeminence in the three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and the world.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials:

Please apply at: , and submit the following required application materials:

• Cover letter 
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of research (4 pages)
• Statement of teaching interests (1 page)
• Minimum of (3) three professional references with contact information (Company/Agency/Institution, phone, email address)

A link to the candidate’s Google Scholar, Web of Science, or ORCID publication profile is recommended to be included as part of the curriculum vitae.  Questions about the positions can be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Prof. Mohamad Al-Sheikhly (email: [redacted]; Phone: [redacted]).

Best Consideration Date:

For Best Consideration, interested applicants should apply by December 15, 2026; review of applications will begin on November 15, 2026, and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Financial Disclosure RequiredNo

DepartmentENGR-Materials Science & Engineering

Worker Sub-Type Faculty Regular

Salary Range$115,000 - $250,000