Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence for Chemical, Materials, and Manufacturing Engineering - R159128

Role details

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence for Chemical, Materials, and Manufacturing Engineering William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering College of Engineering The William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering ( https://cbe.osu.edu/ ) and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering ( https://mse.osu.edu ) at The Ohio State University invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Artificial Intelligence.

This is a joint appointment with a 70% tenure-home appointment in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and a 30% appointment in Materials Science and Engineering. The anticipated start date is August 2027, although a later start date may be negotiated. This position is part of Ohio State's strategic investment in Artificial Intelligence and seeks candidates whose research advances the development and/or application of AI methodologies that accelerate scientific discovery, engineering design, manufacturing, decision-making, and innovation. We welcome candidates conducting research that spans foundational AI, scientific machine learning, and AI-enabled engineering applications.

The successful candidate will develop innovative research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and engineering disciplines relevant to chemical engineering, materials science, manufacturing, energy, sustainability, biotechnology, health, or related fields. The research should prioritize materials discovery for a broad range of applications including but not limited to catalysis, membranes, soft matter and biomaterials. Candidates are expected to establish a vigorous externally funded research program and contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations across the university.

Candidates pursuing either fundamental advances in artificial intelligence or transformative applications of AI to chemical, materials, and/or manufacturing systems are encouraged to apply. Immigration/visa sponsorship may be available in limited situations, but all decisions concerning immigration/visa sponsorship will depend on an evaluation of complexity and risk. We will not engage in immigration sponsorship for this position for individuals subject to the J-1 two-year home residency requirement or who will require consular processing for a visa to come to the United States to begin work at the university.

AI at The Ohio State University AI is reshaping education and research, and Ohio State is at the forefront of this transformation, unlocking exponential possibilities when AI is fused with different fields. The university is committed to excellence in artificial intelligence and advancing the university’s role as a national and global leader in AI-driven discovery, education, and societal impact. In support of this commitment, Ohio State will hire 100 new tenure-track faculty with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) over five years to drive innovation and create a central hub, the AI(X) Hub , to provide resources and foster collaboration.

This university-wide hub will span 15 colleges and unlock the exponential possibilities that emerge when AI is fused with expertise across six strategic pillars (X): foundations, health, engineering and sciences, agriculture, cybersecurity, and trustworthy AI.

The AI(X) Hub will cultivate an innovation ecosystem where cross-disciplinary synergies fuel breakthroughs with profound societal impact by: Creating a dynamic intellectual hub to harness Ohio State’s vast expertise where AI scientists and domain experts across the university can collaborate to accelerate groundbreaking research and transformative innovation Advancing fundamental AI research to push the boundaries of AI Establishing a collaborative hub that unites researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders Developing cutting-edge AI products that reach billions and drive meaningful change Delivering solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges Empowering the next generation of AI leaders through accessible AI education, mentorship, and skill development for all Ohio State learners In addition to the AI(X) Hub, three AI Faculty Cohorts have been created: Foundational AI, Applied AI and Responsible AI and Cybersecurity.

The Foundational AI Cohort will primarily focus on elevating the theoretical, mathematical and algorithmic underpinnings of AI. The Applied AI Cohort will primarily focus on harnessing AI to revolutionize the translation of ideas to real-world solutions for Ohio and beyond. The Responsible AI and Cybersecurity Cohort will primarily focus on ensuring ethical innovation and safeguarding digital landscapes for a secure future. Position Overview This is a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor.

The successful candidate will establish an internationally recognized and externally funded research program that advances artificial intelligence and its integration with engineering and scientific discovery. The faculty member will contribute to the education of undergraduate and graduate students, participate in interdisciplinary initiatives spanning engineering and data science, and engage in service activities that support the missions of the departments, college, and university.

Performance Objectives The candidate will be expected to help further our mission of educating undergraduate and graduate students in CBE and MSE, encouraging the exchange of ideas, methods, and insights between different fields of study, advancing the state-of-the-art knowledge in CBE, MSE, and allied fields through novel and sustained research, serving the public, academic, and industrial communities through consultation, collaborative efforts, dissemination of research results, entrepreneurship, or participation in conferences of professional societies, and valuing different perspectives.

Additional Information The final offer for this position will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Salary and start-up packages are negotiated by the department chair and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits packag For questions regarding this position, please contact Nicholas Brunelli at [email protected] . Application review: Review of applications will begin by November 1st, 2026 . Department Information The William G.

Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) is home to 30 faculty working in diverse research areas including bioengineering, reaction engineering and catalysis, separations, systems engineering, particulates and multiphase flows, colloids, molecular simulation, polymers, nanomaterials, and sustainability. We are housed in a state-of-the-art 225,000 ft2 building dedicated to Chemical Engineering and the Chemical Sciences. CBE offers undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) programs, with total enrollment around 900 students. CBE faculty are highly regarded for their teaching, research, and extension and outreach programs.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is home to approximately 35 faculty working in diverse research areas including structural materials, electronic and photonic materials, biomaterials, energy materials, computational materials science, materials characterization, nanomaterials, welding engineering, and advanced manufacturing. MSE offers undergraduate (B.S.), master's (M.S.), and doctoral (Ph.D.) degree programs and supports a vibrant community of undergraduate and graduate students engaged in cutting-edge research.

Faculty benefit from access to extensive shared research facilities and interdisciplinary collaborations across the university, including strengths in manufacturing, energy, health, data science, and artificial intelligence. MSE faculty are internationally recognized for excellence in research, teaching, and service. The College of Engineering Faculty Development : The Ohio State University and the College of Engineering are committed to support and develop faculty as well as the work-life balance of its faculty.

These resources include The Engineering Faculty Mentoring Program , the Better Research through Better Mentoring program , and an institutional membership to the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning . To learn more visit: https://engineering.osu.edu/faculty-development . Learn more about the College of Engineering, the university and Columbus here . The University Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers.

Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions. Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values , our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties.

Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow. The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established central resources to focus on offering support to new and prospective faculty and their loved ones.

Service offerings include dual career partner consultation, potential employer and/or employment opportunity identification, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are available. More information about dual career and faculty recruitment can be found here . In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.

Ohio State is a member of the Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania & West Virginia HERC. Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here .

Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI. The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.

Education and Experience Requirements Ideal candidates will demonstrate significant AI expertise as a core element of their scholarship whether through the creation of new AI methods or novel use of AI techniques that materially advance knowledge, methods, or practice in their discipline.

For this search, “AI” includes (but is not limited to) Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Optimization for/with ML, Probabilistic Modeling, Trustworthy/responsible AI (fairness, safety, privacy, robustness, interpretability), Human-centered AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Robotics, Scientific/Physics-informed Machine Learning (ML), AI Systems and Infrastructure, Domain-driven AI advancements in and across disciplines.

In addition to the disciplinary requirements for potential selection as a faculty, a qualified candidate will develop, advance, or rigorously evaluate AI methods, lead AI-centered applications that produce generalizable methodological advances (e.g., new algorithms, models, evaluation frameworks, datasets/benchmarks, or system designs), design/adapt AI approaches to solve previously intractable questions in a domain leading to generalizable insights advancements. Routine use of off-the-shelf AI tools that does not produce methodological innovation , or field-advancing knowledge is not sufficient for an AI faculty hire for this initiative.

Required : Earned doctorate in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment; Demonstrated expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, scientific computing, or related areas; Research that integrates AI with chemical engineering, materials science, manufacturing, energy, sustainability, biotechnology, health, or related fields Evidence of research accomplishments and strong potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program; Evidence of scholarly achievement through peer-reviewed publications and presentations; Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring; Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desired : Experience with interdisciplinary collaborations; Experience developing computational methods, software tools, datasets, digital infrastructure, robotics platforms, or autonomous experimental systems; Interest in technology translation, entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, or commercialization; Evidence of leadership potential in emerging areas of AI-enabled research and education.