Careers in Quality

Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biomedical Engineering

Hiring Department: The Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1021655
Posting Close Date: 2/15/2024

Brief Job Summary

The Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) invites applicants for a Bridge to Faculty postdoctoral research associate position beginning August 16, 2024. The Bridge to Faculty Scholars (B2F) Program is a UIC postdoctoral program designed to recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds, with the goal of transitioning them to tenure-track faculty positions after two years (diversity.uic.edu/faculty/bridge-to-faculty). This recruitment initiative aims to attract and retain promising scholars to UIC, as well as diversify our faculty to better serve the cultural wealth of our students, our community, and the nation.

UIC is the largest public research university in the metropolitan Chicago area with a total annual budget exceeding $2 billion and research expenditures exceeding $500 million. The campus has 16 colleges and schools including one of the largest medical schools in the country, serving one of the nation’s most diverse student populations, with over 34,000 students, 2,000 faculty and 8,000 staff.

UIC was ranked 13th overall among all U.S. public universities, and 8th in social mobility among both public and private universities in the most recent Wall Street Journal study, which analyzed public data to evaluate student outcomes, the learning environment and diversity, in combination with student and alumni surveys.

UIC is among the nation’s top ten most diverse campuses and is designated a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), Asian American, Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). See oae.uic.edu/resources/diversity-resources for more about Diversity at UIC.

The BME Department, jointly operated by the College of Engineering (COE) and College of Medicine (COM) at UIC, has over 25 full-time tenured/tenure-track faculty and ~100 affiliate faculty, with 350 BS, 90 MS, 125 PhD and 25 postdoctoral students. Faculty in the department have a long tradition of working closely with health and life science researchers at UIC, as well as with investigators at other major academic medical centers in the Chicago area, to pursue transdisciplinary research.

We seek rising leaders who will engage in transformational biomedical engineering and bioinformatics research. Applicants should be outstanding technically in their chosen basic science and engineering specialty, yet have a strong collaborative interest in specific application areas. Individuals that can bridge areas of existing expertise in the BME Department in bioinformatics, systems biology and quantitative biology, cell and tissue engineering, neural and rehabilitation engineering, medical devices, and medical imaging with each other and with expertise found elsewhere at UIC and in the Chicago region are desirable. Individuals whose research interests encompass health disparities, women’s health, sex differences, or disabilities, are also especially encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

B2F Program. The Bridge to Faculty Scholars program seeks to advance diversity on the permanent faculty level by encouraging the recruitment, retention, and promotion of outstanding scholars from different backgrounds, with an emphasis on attracting individuals from groups who have been historically underrepresented in our discipline. Bridge to Faculty is designed to recruit scholars with the goal of transitioning them to faculty members after two years. After the first year, and subject to satisfactory performance and University approval, this position may be re-appointed for a second year. Successful postdoctoral associates may have the opportunity to transition to tenure track faculty starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. Scholars will participate in a mentoring experience within the department, with the opportunity to meet other Scholars through cohort-based events and workshops organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Engagement. The Bridge to the Faculty Scholars Program is funded by the Chancellor’s Office and administered through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Engagement. More information about the program can be found at https://diversity.uic.edu/faculty/bridge-to-faculty/.

Qualifications:

Eligibility. Candidates must have received a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics or a closely related field no earlier than August 16, 2019 and no later than August 16, 2024.

Applications must include a cover letter and 1) a research plan, 2) statement about their past, present, and future contributions to promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in their professional career, 3) a curriculum vitae, and 4) the names and contact information of at least three references. The research plan does not require a defined faculty sponsor but should include short- and long-term research interests so that a potential mentor can be identified.

Questions about this position may be sent to Professors Tom Royston (troyston@uic.edu) or Bea Penalver Bernabe (penalver@uic.edu).

Review of applications will begin 1/16/2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.

Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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