Biomolecular Science Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Description
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) at Vanderbilt University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position from candidates with expertise in artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), foundation models, multiscale modeling, and optimization as applied to challenges in energy and advanced chemical processing. We particularly encourage applicants whose computational research addresses critical materials for energy, data-driven approaches for manufacturing, electrochemical engineering, and the integration of AI/ML with chemical engineering to accelerate the design, discovery, and deployment of next-generation materials and technologies.
This position is part of the School of Engineering's commitment to establishing an interdisciplinary Energy Cluster aimed at addressing grand societal and scientific challenges (https://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/2025/10/06/school-of-engineering-launches-global-search-for-10-new-faculty-members/). This hiring focus reflects our dedication to strengthening collaboration across disciplines within the School of Engineering. Our goal is to train the next generation of engineering leaders to uncover new insights and identify solutions to the key challenges as outlined in our strategic plan: improving health for all humans, ensuring a sustainable planet, enhancing national security, and innovating beyond Earth (https://indd.adobe.com/view/697a5c8d-09f9-4270-802d-890ea98422f0).
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt (http://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/chbe/) includes 14 primary faculty members (11 tenured/tenure-track) serving over 130 undergraduate students and more than 50 graduate students. The department maintains a vibrant research environment with annual research expenditures in excess of $11M and has steadily climbed the USNWR graduate rankings. Our department is consistently ranked as one of the top five chemical engineering departments in the U.S. with fifteen or fewer faculty. Relevant to this search, we anticipate strong growth in the computational area at Vanderbilt as evident by the announcement of a College of Connected Computing. This new College will be transformative and provide new opportunities for collaboration across engineering, science, medicine, sustainability, and computing.
Our department is located less than a 5 min walk from Vanderbilt's other engineering and science departments and is adjacent to the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE), a nucleus for nanoscale materials research at Vanderbilt. It is one of numerous interdisciplinary centers and institutes on campus (https://research.vanderbilt.edu/centers-institutes/) that offers comprehensive and state-of-the-art core facilities and means for engagement across departments. The Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Climate and Energy (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/climate/), the Vanderbilt Lab for Immersive AI Translation (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/valiant/), and the Vanderbilt Institute for National Security (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/national-security/) are among our newest centers, providing additional opportunities for collaboration.
Ranked #17 nationally, Vanderbilt University is a private, internationally recognized research university located on 330 park-like acres 1.5 miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Its 11 distinct schools share a single cohesive campus that values collaboration. The university enrolls over 13,500 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including more than 25% minority students and over 10% international students from 84 countries. The School of Engineering and College of Connected Computing together comprise nearly 120 tenured and tenure-track faculty, with a total research expenditure of $90 million and teach 1500 undergraduate and over 700 graduate and professional students across all programs.
With a metro population of over two million people, Nashville has been named one of the 15 best U.S. cities by Travel and Leisure and was ranked in the top tier as best performing cities in 2024 for sustainable growth and resilience by the Milken Institute. Nashville's top industries by employment include trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services; professional and business services; government; and leisure and hospitality. Other industries include manufacturing, financial activities, construction, and information. Long known as a hub for health care and music, the greater Nashville area is a technology center with a considerable pool of health care, AI, EV, and defense-related jobs available. In recent years, the city has experienced an influx of major office openings by some of the largest global tech companies and prime Silicon Valley startups.
Qualifications
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop a vibrant, externally funded, nationally recognized research program, along with an equal commitment to outstanding teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. degree in chemical engineering or a closely related engineering or scientific discipline and should have research and teaching goals strongly aligned with the fields of chemical and biomolecular engineering. Applicants must have conducted prior research work and have a record of impactful scholarly publications in refereed and other professional journals and venues. Experiences with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer simulation are preferred.
Application Instructions
Application materials are to be submitted to Click to follow link." href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapply.interfolio.com%2F174347&data=05%7C02%7Cpaul.e.laibinis%40Vanderbilt.Edu%7Caf3f2f266bc4430ec54308ddf78ccbe5%7Cba5a7f39e3be4ab3b45067fa80faecad%7C0%7C0%7C638938906263156220%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sXGE4Za9UEiTbvxQg%2F%2Bn4QBo2euJvSsLo5E%2BNd6oNSs%3D&reserved=0">https://apply.interfolio.com/174347 and must include:
1) a cover letter,
2) a complete curriculum vitae,
3) a 6 to 10 page statement of research interests detailing goals and potential collaborative possibilities,
4) a 2 to 3 page statement of teaching philosophy highlighting synergies within the ChBE department and interests in developing new courses, and
5) the names and contact information of at least three professional references.
Review of applications will begin upon receipt with applications received by November 15, 2025 undergoing priority review. All applications received by December 1, 2025 will receive full consideration. Please address questions to Professor Paul Laibinis, Chair of ChBE, by email to paul.e.laibinis@vanderbilt.edu.