Description
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering.
UMBC is a nationally recognized public research university distinguished by inclusive excellence, innovative teaching, a strong commitment to student success, and research that addresses complex societal challenges. The College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) seeks a collaborative and visionary leader to guide the department's next phase of growth and impact in research, education, and public-impact engagement.
The Department Chair serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the department and reports directly to the Dean of COEIT. The Chair is responsible for advancing the department's educational, research, and outreach missions while serving as a member of the College's leadership team.
The successful candidate will join the department and college during an exciting period of strategic planning and growth. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, industry partners, and university leadership, the Chair will help shape the future of engineering education, research, innovation, and public impact at UMBC.
About the CBEE Department
The CBEE department (https://cbee.umbc.edu) is a vital component of the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) at UMBC. Current departmental research focuses on biochemical, biomedical, bioprocess, environmental, computational, and water resources engineering. The CBEE faculty maintains diverse, active, and successful research programs averaging approximately $400k per tenured/tenure-track faculty per year in external research support over the last five years. Our faculty are also active participants and leaders of interdisciplinary research centers, including the Center for Advanced Sensor Technologies (CAST) and the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education (CUERE). CBEE faculty members regularly collaborate with researchers from nearby institutions, federal and state agencies, and private entities. In addition to departmental space and facilities, the recently opened Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building provides 123,000 square feet of flexible research and education spaces that incorporate modern biochemical, cellular, and molecular research facilities and support interdisciplinary research and teaching in the life sciences. The CBEE department actively promotes mentorship opportunities for new faculty members through the Faculty Development Center, which supports the development of effective teaching methods, and the ADVANCE Program, which supports the advancement of women at all faculty ranks.
The CBEE department has approximately 250 undergraduate and 55 graduate students, 12 tenure-track faculty, and three full-time professional-track (i.e., teaching) faculty. At the undergraduate level, the department provides tracks in three areas: traditional Chemical Engineering; Biotechnology and Bioengineering; and Environmental Engineering and Sustainability. All three tracks lead to the B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. At the graduate level, the department offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering.
Requirements
Major Responsibilities
The Chair will:
Provide strategic leadership and long-range planning for the department.
Support faculty recruitment, retention, development, and success.
Strengthen undergraduate and graduate education.
Foster research growth, scholarly excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Advance student success, belonging, and professional preparation.
Manage departmental resources, facilities, personnel, and operations.
Develop relationships with alumni, industry, government, and community partners.
Contribute actively to college-wide strategy and leadership initiatives.
Required Qualifications
Earned doctorate in an appropriate discipline.
Qualifications for appointment with tenure at the rank of Professor at UMBC.
Record of excellence in research, teaching, and service.
Demonstrated leadership experience in academic, research, administrative, professional, or other organizational settings.
Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting faculty development and student success.
Experience with strategic planning, budgeting, accreditation, or program assessment.
Experience leading research initiatives or interdisciplinary collaborations.
Experience building partnerships with industry, government, alumni, or community organizations.
Application instructions
Electronic submission of applications is required at https://apply.interfolio.com/194943. All applications must be submitted as pdf files. The following materials are required:
Cover letter (up to two pages)
Curriculum vitae (no page limit)
Statement of leadership experience, vision, and plans (up to four pages)
Statement of research experience, philosophy, and plans (up to three pages)
Statement of teaching and mentoring experience, philosophy, and plans (up to three pages)
Names and contact information for three references
Review of applications will begin on Dec 1 2026 and continue until the positions are filled. For inquiries, please email coeit-hiring@umbc.edu with “CBEE Chair 2027 hire” in the subject line.
UMBC does not make hiring decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy. We encourage applications from all candidates who meet the job qualifications and who will contribute to the University's core value of inclusive excellence through their research, teaching, and service.
