Hiring Department
UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY
As the only Carnegie R1 university in the Kansas City region, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is central to advancing research collaboration, materials supply chains, and new technology development. The University of Missouri System of 4 universities engaging with local and regional industry and manufacturing, transportation networks, government, and other universities, UMKC will lead the focus on solving one of the nation’s most pressing economic and security challenges by investing in rebuilding the science, infrastructure, workforce, and manufacturing capacity required for critical materials production. UMKC was selected by the National Science Foundation as one of twelve teams to be awarded a 2026 NSF Regional Innovations Engines award.
Translational Critical Materials: From Molecule to Manufacturing
UMKC invites applications for a cluster of faculty positions in Translational Critical Materials, supporting the NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine (CMCE) and UMKC’s growing capabilities in materials, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and national security.
The cluster will focus on the technical space between fundamental materials discovery and routine industrial production. Areas of interest include critical-material separation and purification, metal and alloy production, engineered materials and components, advanced and intelligent manufacturing, recycling and recovery, process scale-up, qualification, and resilient supply chains.
Successful candidates must demonstrate a research program that combines scientific and engineering originality with a credible pathway toward application. Evidence of translational impact may include:
- prototype or pilot-scale systems,
- process scale-up and validation,
- manufacturing-readiness advancement,
- patents, licenses, startups, or industry adoption,
- materials, process, or component qualification,
- sustained industry or national-laboratory partnerships,
- technoeconomic or lifecycle analysis tied to a real technology pathway.
Candidates whose work is exclusively fundamental, without a credible translational path, or exclusively industrial, without an original scholarly and educational program, will not fit the intent of this cluster.
Appointments will be made in the most appropriate academic discipline. Joint or affiliated appointments will be considered where appropriate.
Job Description
Full Professor
CMCE Distinguished Chair in Translational Critical Materials Processing
UMKC invites applications for a tenured Full Professor and named Chair to provide intellectual and organizational leadership for a nationally visible program in translational critical-materials processing.
The successful candidate will work in one or more of the following areas:
- critical-material separation, purification, and refining;
- hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, or pyrometallurgy;
- electrochemical separations and metal production;
- recovery from ores, secondary feedstocks, industrial wastes, or end-of-life products;
- rare-earth metal, alloy, or precursor production;
- critical-material recycling and circular processing;
- process design, intensification, and pilot-scale demonstration;
- technoeconomics and lifecycle analysis integrated with process development.
Expectations
The Chair will be expected to:
- establish or expand an internationally recognized, externally funded research program,
- lead multidisciplinary CMCE projects that advance technologies toward pilot, demonstration, or qualification stages,
- build partnerships with industry, national laboratories, federal agencies, and other universities,
- help develop shared facilities and technical capabilities for critical-material processing,
- mentor junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students,
- teach courses in the candidate’s area of expertise,
- contribute to the development of a future UMKC institute focused on materials and manufacturing,
- pursue major center-scale, consortium, and federal funding opportunities.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
- Doctorate in an appropriate science or engineering discipline,
- qualifications and career accomplishments commensurate with appointment as a distinguished Chair and tenured Full Professor,
- internationally recognized record of scholarship and external funding,
- demonstrated experience translating research toward practical processes, products, or systems,
- evidence of research leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Preferred qualifications:
- leadership of a research center, institute, consortium, or major multi-institutional program,
- experience with pilot-scale facilities or continuous processing,
- patents, licenses, startup activity, or documented industrial implementation,
- substantial experience with DOE, DoD, NSF, or other federal critical-materials programs,
- demonstrated success building partnerships with industry or national laboratories.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary is commensurate with discipline specific market conditions, record of scholarly accomplishment, qualifications and success in external funding in the field of eminent expertise.
The position is anticipated to be a 9-month tenured, continuous faculty appointment, with research, partial teaching, and service devoted to CMCE responsibilities.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, discounted tuition at all four UM System campuses for employees and qualifying dependents, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Application Materials
For consideration, please apply online at Careers - Human Resources | University of Missouri-Kansas City, click on Prospective Employees (Job Opening ID 61723).
Please complete the application and questionnaire, and submit the following:
- Cover letter highlighting qualifications for a Distinguished Chair and tenured Professor faculty position
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement including internationally recognized scholarship and successes in externally funded research
- Statement of teaching experience, courses taught
- Five professional references and current associated contact information
Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as your resume attachment. Limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.).
- If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu
- Please direct all inquiries about the position please contact umhrexecutivesearch@umsystem.edu, including the job identification number 61723 and name of the position
- Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323
Higher education transcripts are required for candidates advancing as finalists. Candidates will receive prior notification when references will be contacted. After the committee's initial review, all uploaded materials may be shared with leadership, appropriate division/department faculty, and faculty for CMCE. A Criminal Background Check is required for hire.
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until a qualified candidate is hired.
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship may be available for this position.
Other Information
UMKC is a public, urban, R1 research university with more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UMKC is located in the heart of Kansas City, a vibrant urban community that combines Midwestern charm with an affordable cost of living. Kansas City is a world-class computing and engineering hub, home to companies such as Oracle/Cerner, Ericsson, IBM, SS&C, Garmin, and Honeywell (defense contracts) that provide enriching educational partnerships for students and faculty. Our university is committed to being a model urban institution recognized for its partnerships with surrounding urban communities, effectively fostering a healthy, safe, and more economically secure quality of life. We are proud to be Kansas City’s University. https://www.umkc.edu/
Community Information
A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. The university is located in a Kansas City metropolitan area that is among the most entrepreneurial cities in America with a population of more than 2.4 million. Our UMKC campuses are centered in the hubs of business activity, cultural arts, (some great barbeque and ethnic cuisine!) and health science research engagement for both the Volker and Health Sciences campuses. Our community boasts championship professional athletic teams, NASCAR racing, a new international airport, and a rich history of music and performing arts. Our beautiful state provides rivers, lakes, biking/hiking trails and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts all within an easy drive. Visit Kansas City: Find Events, Things to Do & More
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.
