Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, Renewable Energy and Chemical Transformations

The Opportunity

As part of a hiring campaign, the University of Central Florida (UCF) established in 2015, six interdisciplinary clusters to strengthen its academic offerings and research mission. In efforts to strengthen this initiative, the renewable energy and chemical transformations (REACT) cluster (www.ucf.edu/research/react) is seeking promising candidates at the assistant professor (tenure earning) or associate professor (tenured) level, commensurate with prior experience and record.

This 9-month position will build on our existing strengths in catalysis science and engineering which currently include expertise in ab initio theory, ultrafast and electron spectroscopies, nanocatalyst synthesis, homogeneous catalysis, and electrocatalysis. In addition to the above, applicants are now sought with expertise in fundamental research encompassing areas of heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic synthesis of fuels, plasmonic catalysis, and catalysts for wastewater remediation.

Faculty in these interdisciplinary positions will be expected to strengthen both the research cluster and their tenure home department (physics, chemistry, or material science and engineering). Both individual and interdisciplinary infrastructure and startup are expected with these positions. The new faculty member will have a unique interdisciplinary mentoring team to foster intellectual breadth and to facilitate integrative capacity to strengthen the success of the cluster. With mutual consent, candidates will have the option of choosing their tenure home department.

The University of Central Florida is one of the nation’s largest universities with more than 64,000 students. UCF has grown substantially in size, quality, diversity, and reputation in its first 50 years. Today, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at its main campus in Orlando and more than a dozen other locations. UCF is an economic engine attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering, or a related field is required.

• Consistent track record of competitively funded research grants and contracts.

• Demonstrated research leadership ability and interpersonal skills.

• Years of experience in a similar position:

  • Assistant professor: Two (2) years.

  • Associate professor: Five (5) years.

• The selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with rank in the tenure department.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience performing research at the highest level:

  • Assistant professor: Four (4) years.

  • Associate professor: Six (6) years.

• Consistent track record of impactful publications.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, candidates should attach the following materials:

• Cover letter that addresses the candidates background and preparation in one or more of the areas listed above.

• Curriculum vitae.

• Statement of research with sections addressing short (i.e., < 3 years) and long term (3+ years) research plans and goals. Particular emphasis should be given to plans of integrating research with current activities of PIs in the cluster, while furthering the cluster’s interdisciplinary objectives.

• Statement of teaching philosophy including any experience/familiarity with student-centered learning approaches and plans on growing the teaching and professional training portfolio of the cluster.

• Reprints of 2-3 recent key publications.

• Names and email addresses of at least three references who are willing to provide letters of recommendation.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Parag Banerjee, Search Committee Chair, at parag.banerjee@ucf.edu and Nayade Ramirez, Nayade.Ramirez@ucf.edu and Maria Fernandez, Maria.Fernandez@ucf.edu , Search Committee Managers.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.