The posting
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.
Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland, College Park, is the flagship institution in the University System of Maryland. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The Washington DC area has three major airports and a vibrant culture, is reachable by metro, and has primary and secondary schools that are among the best in the nation.
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: https://uhr.umd.edu/work_at_umd, 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: [email protected]; Phone: (301) 405-5214).
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 Required
No
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
Department
ENGR-Materials Science & Engineering
Worker Sub-Type
Faculty Regular
Salary Range
$115,000 - $250,000
Benefits Summary
For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
Resources
- Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online
Search Firm Managed Recruitment
There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm.
Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities:
Search Firm Managed Vacancies
