The Grainger College of Engineering
Head & Professor
Department of Bioengineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a distinguished scholar and strategic leader to serve as the next Head of the Department of Bioengineering.

Bioengineering at Illinois stands at the forefront of interdisciplinary research and education, integrating engineering principles with the life sciences to solve grand challenges in human health and sustainability.

In addition to degrees in bioengineering, the department also offers the very first undergraduate degrees in the nation in Neural Engineering and CS+Bioengineering. Professional Masters in Bioengineering, Masters in Biomedical Image Computing, a certificate in AI and Medicine, and Ph.D. degrees are also offered. The department fosters a vibrant collaborative research environment covering interdisciplinary areas including biomechanics, imaging, computational biology, synthetic biology, and regenerative medicine with over 35 tenure system and specialized faculty and over 20 staff, The department also has strong partnerships with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine (the world’s first engineering-based college of medicine), the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, the Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, ,the Cancer Center at Illinois, and other campus units to provide an intellectually vibrant environment where world-class scholars can thrive, innovate, and shape the future of healthcare and technology.

Appointment Information

The Department Head is a tenured full Professor in Bioengineering and reports to the Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering. Applicants must have an earned Ph.D. or its equivalent, a scholarly record commensurate with the level of a tenured full professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a renowned reputation in research. This position requires a dynamic leader who can balance administrative duties with visionary leadership to drive the department forward.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading faculty in research, teaching, and public service.
• Engaging with industry, government labs, private foundations, and alumni.
• Overseeing administrative, budgetary, and promotion decisions.

The successful candidate will:

• Articulate and implement a compelling vision for the future of Bioengineering at Illinois.
• Develop and implement plans for scholarly excellence.
• Innovate and maintain cutting-edge curricula and research collaborations.
• Foster a supportive environment for faculty and staff development.
• Build connections with industry and research institutes.
• Engage actively with students and alumni to celebrate and leverage their contributions.
• Lead fundraising efforts and establish strategic partnerships.
• Promote and engage the department community of students, faculty and staff.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 15, 2025. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. Those submitted after the stated deadline may still be considered until the position is filled. A start date is expected for August 2026; however, timing is negotiable.

The salary range for the nine-month professor position is projected to be $250,000 to $300,000 annually with applicable university benefits. The Head position is a twelve-month appointment that carries an administrative stipend for full-time effort. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the Resume/CV section: 1) a curriculum vitae, 2) a cover letter articulating a vision for the department, 3) a research statement, and 4) names and contact information for three references (no letters). For further information regarding application procedures, please contact Lori Willoughby at rairden@illinois.edu.

Illinois offers resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career, along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Explore the full list of Employee Benefits and discover how working at Illinois fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.

We have an active and successful Dual Career Academic Couples Program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance).

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

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, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.