The Rice Advanced Materials Institute (RAMI) at Rice University, located in Houston TX, seeks applications for one tenure-track assistant professor position in the area of advanced energy materials with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. RAMI, working in conjunction with the Schools of Engineering and Computing and Natural Sciences and the Departments therein, seeks applicants from diverse backgrounds for a tenure-track faculty position in a Department to be determined by the best natural fit and input of the candidate (with the mostly likely Departments being, but not limited to, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry, and/or Materials Science and NanoEngineering). More experienced senior candidates conducting transformative research projects may also be considered. 

In particular, we seek outstanding candidates with research interests in experimental materials science (and related fields) relevant to materials innovations to transform energy storage, conversion/harvesting, efficiency, and beyond. Needs in these areas span all of materials including soft/hard matter, inorganic/organic materials, synthesis, processing, characterization, fabrication, and integration. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to: 

1. Novel energy-storage materials/technologies (e.g., electrochemical, capacitive, thermal, etc. storage), mono- and multi-valent battery chemistries, solid-state battery materials, etc.
2. Energy-storage materials fundamentals including aspects of mechanisms, lifetime, failure, operando and multi-modal characterization of the same, etc.
3. Energy-storage materials at extremes (e.g., ultra-fast or pulsed energy and ultra-long (>10 years) duration storage, storage in extreme environments (low and high temperatures, radiation, etc.), and beyond).
4. Energy-storage materials lifecycles, including recycling, resource extraction/alternative materials, electrochemical routes for cost effective extraction of resources, etc. 
5. Novel materials for energy conversion/harvesting from varied energy sources. 
   
   

The position is part of efforts being initiated through RAMI, a campus-wide effort to expand Rice’s already strong efforts in materials research across many departments in science and engineering. RAMI includes ~60 current faculty members working on a wide array of research that overlap with RAMI’s core research focus areas. Rice considers efforts to bolster these areas as a focal point of materials research in the coming decade.

The selected candidate will be expected to teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses within their expertise and home department; perform high-quality research in their specialized area and present findings from their research in peer-reviewed publications and conferences; establish a strong research program supported by extramural funding; be involved in service to the university and broader scientific community; and collaborate with faculty in diverse disciplines. A successful candidate will have a strong commitment to teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds. 

Rice seeks greater representation of women, scholars of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who have historically been underrepresented in materials science and related disciplines. With increased representation we also seek to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought; and to support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

About Rice University

Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s dynamic Museum District and adjacent to the Texas Medical Center. Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and also one of the most diverse cities in the country with rich cultural activities and robust economic opportunities. Rice has a vibrant research enterprise including world-class research centers, institutes, and interdisciplinary initiatives. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools and has a student body of approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. Rice consistently ranks among the top 20 national universities and the top 10 in undergraduate teaching (US News & World Report); its endowment ranks among the top 20 of U.S. universities. The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing and the Weiss School of Natural Sciences, and their departments, at Rice consistently rank among the top programs in the U.S.  

Qualifications

All candidates must have earned a Ph.D. degree in a field closely related to materials science conferred by July 1, 2025. All applicants should demonstrate excellence in scholarship, teaching, and collegial service.

Application Instructions

Must be received by 11:59 pm (eastern time) on December 2, 2024. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Review of applications will begin on December 3, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.

To apply, please submit the following materials: (1) a cover letter that summarizes qualifications for this position, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a research statement (up to 3 pages), (4) a statement of teaching philosophy and/or teaching interests (up to 2 pages), and (5) a statement of service, including past and planned contributions to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in your field (up to 2 pages).  

In addition, candidates are asked to provide the names and contact information for (at least) three references as part of the application which will automatically be solicited.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

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