Open Department Positions

The Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering (CNE) (https://cne.ucsd.edu) in the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California San Diego invites applications for a tenure- track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level.

The Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering integrates chemical engineering, nanoengineering, materials science, and emerging technologies to address important challenges in human health, energy, sustainability, and manufacturing. As part of its strategic growth, the Department seeks an outstanding scholar who will establish an innovative and externally funded research program at the intersection of nanosensing, wearable technologies, diagnostics, and healthcare applications.

Research Focus: The successful candidate is expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program. Research may span fundamental science, engineering, device development, and translation toward real-world healthcare applications.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Nanosensors and biosensors for detection and quantitative measurement of biological, chemical, or physiological signals;
• Wearable, flexible, implantable, or minimally invasive sensing technologies for continuous health monitoring;
• Point-of-care and decentralized diagnostic technologies for rapid, accessible, and low- cost detection of disease;
• Micro- and nanoscale devices, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip systems, and integrated diagnostic platforms;
• Advanced nanomaterials, biomaterials, and functional materials enabling new sensing and diagnostic capabilities;
• Bioelectronic and biochemical interfaces that enable high-quality acquisition of biological and physiological data;
• Multiplexed and multimodal sensing systems that integrate diverse biological, chemical, and physical signals;
• Data-driven and AI-enabled sensing and diagnostics, including technologies that integrate sensing hardware with advanced data analysis, machine learning, and digital health platforms; and
• Emerging technologies that enable scalable, affordable, and longitudinal acquisition of health-related data outside traditional clinical settings.

Candidates whose research creates connections between fundamental chemical/nanoengineering principles and healthcare technologies are particularly encouraged to apply. Outstanding candidates working in related or emerging areas consistent with the broader strategic goals of the Department will also be considered.

Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Nanoengineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Bioengineering, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment. The successful candidate will demonstrate the potential for excellence in scholarship through impactful research, peer-reviewed publications, innovation, and evidence of strong potential for attracting external research support appropriate to career stage.

Collaborative Environment: UC San Diego provides an exceptionally collaborative environment for research at the interface of engineering, nanotechnology, medicine, and data science. Depending on research interests, the successful candidate may have opportunities to participate in and collaborate with school-wide and university-wide institutes, centers, and initiatives such as the Institute of Engineering in Medicine, Center for Wearable Sensors, Data Science Institute, Contextual Robotics Institute, Center for Nano-Immunoengineering, and Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, etc. The position also provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations across the Jacobs School of Engineering, School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and other units across UC San Diego.

Teaching and Service: The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the Department's educational mission through effective teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Teaching responsibilities may include core and elective courses in Chemical Engineering and/or Nanoengineering, as well as the development of new courses related to the candidate's expertise. Faculty members are also expected to contribute to curriculum development, educational assessment, accreditation activities as appropriate, student mentoring and advising, and departmental, school, university, and professional service.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

At UC San Diego, we are seeking a Project Scientist to join our research team, in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering within the Jacobs School of Engineering. These roles are crucial for individuals who wish to contribute significantly to research projects without the expectation of leading the team or conducting independent research.

Project Scientist will:

1. Make creative contributions to the research team.
2. Publish and conduct research under the supervision of a Professor or Professional Research series member.
3. Potentially serve as Co-Principal Investigators, though not as Principal Investigators. It is important to note that this position does not mandate independent research or the development of an independent research reputation. Also, while university and public service are valued, they are not compulsory, and there are no formal teaching responsibilities. The duration of each appointment is subject to the research project's timeline and the availability of funds.

The Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego is committed to building an excellent, diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student body (https://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/about/diversity.

This project scientist position will primarily work on the development of 3D bioprinters, bioreactors, AI for bioprinting. Therefore, the candidates must have earned their Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering, bioengineering or a related area. Successful candidates should have experience in research and development in light-based 3D bioprinting and machine learning, especially in:

1. Design and construction of DLP-based 3D bioprinters (both hardware and software);
2. Machine learning to optimize the bioprinting process;
3. Bioreactor design and fabrication (both hardware and software)
4. Comprehensive knowledge about 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering

• Prior research or industry experience at the doctoral level or beyond in 3D bioprinting.
• Proficiency in machine learning.
• Prior research or industry experience in bioreactor development.
• Proficiency in automated data acquisition and analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW), and excellent written and oral communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience contributing to multi-institutional, industry- or government-sponsored research programs, including milestone tracking, deliverables coordination, and cross-site reporting.