Associate Professor in Materials Engineering - Next Generation Materials for Advancing Health

Position Summary

The University of Georgia invites applications for an academic-year
(9-month), tenured or tenure-track Associate Professor position in
Materials Engineering to begin August 1, 2027, with the opportunity
to supplement salary during the summer. The position is part of the
2026–2027 President’s Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiative ( PHI
), which invests in interdisciplinary faculty clusters
addressing problems of state and national importance. This position
will hold a joint appointment with the School of Chemical,
Materials, and Biomedical Engineering ( CMBE ) in the
College of Engineering as the primary unit and the
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ( BCMB ) in
the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences as the secondary
unit. The successful candidate will be a member of both units and
will be assigned Graduate Faculty Status in both units upon
appointment. This position will be supervised by the Chair of the
School of CMBE and the Department Head of BCMB .

This search is part of UGA’s broader Next-Generation Materials
for Advancing Health initiative.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish and sustain
an internationally recognized, externally funded research program;
build strong collaborations across CMBE, BCMB, and related
materials and health-science programs at UGA ; mentor
undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers; and
contribute to undergraduate and graduate education. The successful
candidate will also teach core engineering courses and participate
in the School’s curriculum and program-assessment work, given that
CMBE’s undergraduate programs are ABET -accredited.

UGA has substantial interdisciplinary strengths in materials,
including expertise within CMBE, BCMB, Chemistry, Physics, and the
New Materials Institute, together with growing connections to
health-related research and the Victoria Kay Ivester School of
Nursing. The successful candidate will have opportunities to help
strengthen these connections and contribute to the continued
development of materials education and research across the
University.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants are asked to submit the following information along with
their application:

• A cover letter (not to exceed two pages) addressing the

candidate’s experience relative to the responsibilities of the
position.

• A detailed curriculum vita
• A research plan not to exceed three pages.
• A combined teaching and mentoring statement not to exceed two

pages.

• The names, titles, and contact information for three

professional references.

All these materials should integrate ideas and efforts that support
UGA’s values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and
service ( https://uga.edu/about/mission
).

Questions related to the position may be directed to the Search
Committee member, Dr. Hitesh Handa ( hhanda@uga.edu ) or to Dr.
Robert Woods ( rwoods@ccrc.uga.edu ).
Applications received by December 01, 2026, will receive full
consideration; review will begin immediately and will continue
until the position is filled. References will be contacted only
after initial screening.

Posting Details

Posting Number

F2854P

Working Title

Associate Professor - Materials Engineering - Next Generation
Materials for Advancing Health

Department

ENGR-Chem Material & Biomed

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of
Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and
is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The
proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional
achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA
is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S.
News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in
Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended
campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs
approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff.
The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over
31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional
students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges,
including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

About the School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical
Engineering

The College of Engineering is one of the nation’s fastest-growing
public colleges of engineering, with nearly 5,000 engineering and
computing students since its founding in 2012. Within it, CMBE
fosters engineering education in a liberal arts setting and
research that meets critical societal needs. The School offers ABET
-accredited B.S. degrees in Biochemical Engineering and Biological
Engineering, along with M.S. and Ph.D. programs and has grown
rapidly to over 500 undergraduate and graduate students and 20
faculty members. Faculty expertise spans biomaterials, therapeutic
devices, diagnostics, biochemical engineering, biomanufacturing,
and sustainable materials.

Additional information is available at
https://engineering.uga.edu/schools/school-of-chemical-materials-biomedical-engineering/

About the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of UGA’s
learning environment, advancing knowledge, research, and creative
activity across more than 40 departments, schools, and institutes.
Within it, BCMB is a multidisciplinary, research-intensive
department of over 60 affiliated members who lead innovative
programs across the spectrum of biochemistry, including
bioinformatics, structural biology, enzymology, epigenetics, cancer
biology, glycobiology, science education, infectious disease, and
molecular medicine. Faculty have access to extensive resources in
genomics, bioinformatics, cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray
crystallography, NMR, cell production, and mass spectrometry.

Additional information is available at https://www.bmb.uga.edu

College/Unit/Department website

https://engineering.uga.edu/schools/school-of-chemical-materials-biomedical-engineering/

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

TRS or ORP

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Underutilization

Advertised Salary

Anticipated Start Date

08/01/2027

Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)

Job Posting Date

10/22/2026

Job Closing Date

Open until filled

Yes

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment
without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information,
national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other
protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with
the accessibility of materials related to this search are
encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25
institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System
Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence,
Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation
for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community
member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these
standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and
Code of Conduct are available in
USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02 .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in
Board Policy
06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom .

Position Details

Position Information

Classification Title

Associate Professor

FLSA

Faculty Rank

Associate Professor

Contract Type

Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status

Tenure Track or Tenured

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in

Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical
Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or another field closely
related to the position.

Additional Requirements

• Candidates considered for the associate professor rank must

have qualifications and academic credentials that are commensurate
with promotion guidelines at the University of Georgia.

• Tenured candidates must satisfy University of Georgia

requirements for tenure.

• For information about the requirements for each faculty rank,

please see the
UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and
Tenure.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or
Certification

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or
Competencies

We seek an accomplished scholar whose research develops innovative
materials at the interface of engineering, materials science,
biology, and human health.

Areas of particular interest include:

• Biomimetic and bio-responsive materials;
• Antimicrobial materials and strategies for preventing

implant-associated infections;

• Materials and interfaces for medical implants and devices;
• Biosensors and responsive diagnostic materials;
• Bio-interfaces and the interactions among materials, cells,

proteins, and microorganisms;

• Advanced material platforms that address clinically important

challenges in infection, tissue integration, sensing, or
therapeutic delivery.

Outstanding candidates whose research complements these areas and
strengthens interdisciplinary materials research at UGA are also
encouraged to apply.

Additional Qualifications:

• A sustained record of high-quality scholarly research and

peer-reviewed publication, success in obtaining extramural research
support, and effective teaching and graduate mentoring.

• Ability to contribute effectively to interdisciplinary research

and education spanning engineering and the molecular and biological
sciences.

• Ability to teach core undergraduate engineering courses in ABET

-accredited programs and to contribute to curriculum development
and program assessment.

• Strong record of interdisciplinary research connecting

fundamental materials design with biological mechanisms and/or
translational applications.

• Demonstrated success in building collaborative research

programs, including multi-investigator initiatives and externally
funded partnerships.

• A proven track record translating fundamental materials

discoveries toward applications in human health.

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate

and graduate students.

Physical Demands

Is this a Position of Trust?

No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of
financial resources?

No

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this
position?

No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children
under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT
security, personnel records, patient records, or access to
chemicals and medications)

No

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with
financial responsibilities. For additional information about the
credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website
.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background
investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating
your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia;
confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in
your application materials (including reference checks) as they
relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for;
and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be
subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk
responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .

Duties/Responsibilities

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References with Contact Information
• Teaching Portfolio/Philosophy
• Research Portfolio/Philosophy

Optional Documents