Visiting Associate Research Scientist, Engineering

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

Prairie Research Institute

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.    

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status.  For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

ISTC is seeking to hire a Visiting Associate Research Scientist, Engineering to establish an interdisciplinary program of research in one or more areas related to the production of energy/fuels/food/feed/chemicals/polymer from biomass and industrial and residential waste materials such as plastic and MSW. This position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

•  Synthesize and analyze current state-of-art, identify technical and economic bottlenecks and identify pathways to advance sustainability in one or more areas related to the production of energy/fuels/food/feed/chemicals/polymer from biomass and industrial and residential waste materials.

•  Identify relevant research needs and project opportunities.

•  Establish Survey as a thought-leader in generating sustainable solutions.

•  Develop proposals for external funding and secure funding to support independent research.

•  Serve as principal investigator, lead research projects, and perform tasks in that capacity including management of grant funding and efficient production of project, grant, or contract reports and deliverables.

•  Foster interdisciplinary research with scientists at the Survey, professionals at other Surveys or other academic units, as well as governmental and other academic institutions.

•  Supervise and lead staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. For direct reporting staff, this also includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance monitoring and evaluation, career/position mentoring, and leave/travel approval.

•  Ensure the safety of staff and equipment.

•  Respond to requests for information and provide technical expertise to PRI staff, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, industry, and the general public.

•  Attend, participate in, and contribute to meetings, conferences, and workshops.

•  Participate in a leadership role in professional organizations, serve on editorial boards in a leadership role for peer-reviewed journals, and participate in national or international committees addressing related to expertise.

•  Communicate results of investigations as presentations and lectures to a wide variety of audiences in a variety of venues including public lectures and meetings, short courses, field trips, professional organization conferences and meetings, and academic or research seminars.

•  Contribute to the areas of education, outreach, and/or other service to the Survey, PRI, the University of Illinois, and the state of Illinois.

•  Enhance the reputation of the Survey and PRI at the state, national, and international level.

•  Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.

•  Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of PRI.

Required Qualifications:  Master’s degree in chemical, biochemical, or environmental engineering, material sciences, or closely related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. At least 8 years related industry or research experience with master’s degree or at least 5 years related industry or research experience with Ph.D. Experience in one or more areas related to energy, fuel, food, feed, chemicals, polymer production and use. Experience in one or more areas related to energy production/conversion/storage, bio/chemical processing, and waste reduction/repurposing. Experience in product or process development, technical market development, team building, and leadership.  Ability to establish and sustain an independent research program. Ability to effectively acquire and manage project funds and resources. Ability to effectively manage research as a principal investigator and supervise and mentor associated personnel. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Affinity for cooperative or interdisciplinary research with scientists at the Survey, professionals at other Surveys or other academic units, as well as governmental and other academic institutions.  Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases. Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:  Ph.D. in chemical, biochemical, or environmental engineering, material sciences, or closely related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.

This is a full-time visiting 12-month academic professional position subject to the continued availability of funding and programmatic need. Position may become a regular, non-visiting position at a later date depending on funding and programmatic need. The starting date is negotiable and the salary is commensurate with experience.

Applications must be received by July 2, 2021.  Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after this date.  To apply, please visit https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board to complete an online profile and to upload 1) a cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above, 2) a résumé/CV, and 3) the names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of three professional (not personal) references. All requested information/documentation must be submitted for applications to be considered.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

For further information please contact Lori Walston-Vonderharr, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute, at lwalston@illinois.edu or 217-244-2401.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.  As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility