Position Overview
The University of Kansas (KU) Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering (ChEE) invites applications for a full-time tenure/tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. Applications are welcome from candidates with research experience that aligns with the Department's strength in energy and sustainability, including but not limited to electrochemical energy systems, energy materials, energy process systems engineering, and critical mineral separation and processing. The department currently has 23 faculty, over 300 students, and is home to several research centers including the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC): Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) and the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC).
The selected candidate for the position will have a strong record of scholarly publications and the ability to secure external research funding sufficient to support and maintain an independent research program. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to educate and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Faculty in the department are expected to conduct and publish original research, collaborate with others in the department, school and university, advise graduate and undergraduate students, teach undergraduate and graduate level courses, and perform service at the university, national, and international levels. The new hire will be encouraged to collaborate with faculty in other areas of Engineering and other disciplines to advance research and education to create an impactful and sustained externally funded research program. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
The Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Kansas and United Academics. UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and it is the candidate’s right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university, an R-1 institution, and one of just 71 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Our university consistently earns high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university (engaging in $611 million of research in fiscal year 2025). KU offers more than 8,000 courses, 460 degree and certificate programs, and more than 200 fields of study. As of Fall 2025, student enrollment for the Lawrence-Edwards campus was 27,212 representing all 50 states and 115 countries.
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Job Description
40% Teaching: Responsibilities include (a) teaching undergraduate/graduate core and elective courses in chemical engineering, (b) developing courses and participating in curriculum development, (c) mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, and (d) advising graduate students, including chairing doctoral dissertation committees.
40% Research: Responsibilities include (a) conducting and directing cutting-edge research, (b) training and graduating Master’s and PhD students, serving as thesis/dissertation committee chair, (c) securing external funding to sustain an independent research program, (d) publishing in peer-reviewed journals, (e) presenting at professional conferences, (f) serving as a member of graduate thesis and dissertation committees, and (f) as appropriate, developing intellectual property. The position will enable participation in the education and training of students and postdoctoral researchers in the Department.
20% Service: Responsibilities include performing service for the Department, School, University, academic and research profession, and interacting effectively with students, faculty, and local, national, and international communities.
Required Qualifications
Required Qualifications (All Ranks)
- Ph.D. in chemical engineering or a closely related field by the start date of appointment.
- Research experience and/or expertise that aligns with one or more of the Department's focus areas in energy and sustainability.
- Demonstrated or high potential for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level.
- Commitment to educating, mentoring, and advising undergraduate and graduate students.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others in a team-based academic environment.
Additional Required Qualifications by Rank
- Assistant Professor: Demonstrated high potential for conducting an independent research program, as evidenced by a strong publication record and identification of external funding opportunities.
- Associate Professor: Established record of scholarly publications and successful external research funding, and demonstrated excellence in teaching and graduate student mentorship commensurate with the associate professor rank.
- Full Professor: Sustained, nationally or internationally recognized record of research and scholarship, a strong history of external funding, demonstrated excellence in teaching and graduate student mentorship, and demonstrated leadership in the field commensurate with the full professor rank.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete online application will include the following:
- A letter of application
- Curriculum vitae
- Detailed statement of philosophy related to teaching and mentoring (not to exceed 3 pages)
- Detailed statement of research accomplishments and plans for building an independent research program including opportunities for external funding and alignment with the Department’s research strengths (not to exceed 3 pages for Assistant Professor applications, or 5 pages for Associate or Full Professor applications).
- The names and contact information of at least three references
Review of application materials will begin November 16, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is received.
Contact Information to Applicants
Prof. Kevin Leonard, Professor, [contact details available in the full listing]
Advertised Salary Range: Commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins: Monday November 16, 2026
Anticipated Start Date: Wednesday August 18, 2027
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
