Position Description

Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and Biological Design Center (BDC) have embarked on a bold plan to improve human health by working at the intersection of tissue engineering, synthetic biology, cell biology, and mechanobiology. We have a faculty opening for a tenure-track assistant professor to join the BDC, whose faculty focus on building synthetic tissues to understand the design principles underlying biological systems. We envision a candidate whose research interests use synthetic approaches to engineer novel tissue models of disease and applied therapeutics. Areas of particular research interest include regenerative medicine, organoids, and mechanobiology. This faculty member will join a vibrant, highly successful group of researchers exploring how to guide the body to build new tissue and retool cellular machinery to optimize human health across diverse populations.

Candidates will have a primary appointment split equally between Biomedical Engineering (in the College of Engineering) and Biology (in the College of Arts and Sciences). Affiliated appointments with the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, appropriate life-science and computational departments and programs, and the Medical School will also be considered. We are looking for outstanding candidates with a Ph.D. in a relevant area who demonstrate potential for leading an independent research program that attracts significant funding. Successful candidates will be expected to teach effectively at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and to use their expertise to strengthen collaborative research across the university and beyond. The starting salary for this position will be $120,000 to $130,000.

BU Biology and Biomedical Engineering are large, collegial, research-active departments with annual research expenditures over $40M each. Relevant centers other than the Biological Design Center include the Precision Diagnostics Center, BUNano, the Neurophotonics Center, the Center for Systems Neuroscience, the Photonics Center, the Hariri Center for Computational Science and Engineering, the Center for Multiscale and Translational Mechanobiology, The Center for Information and Systems Engineering, and the NSF Engineering Research Center in Cellular Metamaterials. The Colleges of Engineering and Arts and Sciences each believe that the cultural and social diversity of our faculty, staff, and students is vitally important to the distinction and excellence of our research and academic programs.

Applications received by January 10, 2026 will be given full consideration. Please use AcademicJobsOnline (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31197) to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research, and a statement of teaching & mentorship. Please provide the names and contact information for three professional references. Inquiries can be addressed to Michelle Pecoraro (mp22@bu.edu). Please visit the following websites for information about the Departments of Biology (http://www.bu.edu/biology/) and Biomedical Engineering (https://www.bu.edu/eng/academics/departments-and-divisions/biomedical-engineering/).

Since its founding in 1839, Boston University has embraced a mission of openness and access, becoming one of the first universities in the nation to welcome all students of ability regardless of race, gender, or creed. That tradition shapes our enduring commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and the robust exchange of ideas.

We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Retaliation is also prohibited. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.  Under Massachusetts law, we may not require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Boston University, consistent with the AAU’s Principles on Preventing Sexual Harassment, conducts background checks for final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. As part of this process, we ask current and past employers of the last seven years whether there has been a substantiated finding of sexual misconduct under their policies. To move forward, final candidates must complete and sign an “Authorization to Release Information” form after receiving an offer to enable this background check.