Assistant/Associate/Full Professor - Wastewater Engineering
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
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- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
This search is focused on candidates whose scholarship advances wastewater engineering. Relevant areas may include, but are not limited to, advanced physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes; resource and energy recovery; water reuse; emerging contaminants; environmental biotechnology and microbiology; decentralized treatment; process modeling, sensing, automation, and optimization; and resilient and sustainable wastewater systems. The successful candidate will have an earned doctorate in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment. Candidates must demonstrate the potential to develop a collaborative, externally funded research program and to design and teach high-quality undergraduate and graduate courses. The anticipated starting date is August 18, 2027. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. prior to the start of the position.
This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the University of Kansas and the United Academics of KU, the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit. Faculty have the right to be a member or not be a member of UAKU without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
About the School of Engineering:
The University of Kansas School of Engineering (http://engr.ku.edu/) has undergone a significant expansion while taking explicit care to maintain and improve the high-quality student programs the university is known for. The effort involved a multi-faceted approach aimed at growing our facilities, faculty, leadership, and research and, most importantly, supporting students. It also helps industry partners find the new talent, designs, and techniques they need to fuel economic growth and business success.
The CEAE Department (https://ceae.ku.edu/) currently has 26 tenured/tenure-track faculty, four teaching professors / professors of practice, one research professor, and approximately 360 undergraduate students and 140 graduate students, with programs leading to bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. The department has a strong history of conducting impactful research while focusing on the success of students at all levels. The department hosts state-of-the-art research facilities, including greenhouse and piloting facilities, and has long collaborated with regional municipalities, with conventional and advanced nutrient recovery facilities (Bardenpho processes). Our close proximity to the Kansas City metro area, which is home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of architectural, engineering, and construction firms. This location provides rich opportunities to corporate engagement and partnerships.
About Lawrence, KS:
KU’s research residential campus is in the center of a vibrant and culturally-rich community — a quintessential college town. Visitors, students and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, a wide variety of local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history. Home to over 95,000 people, Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theater venues, and professional sports teams.Job DescriptionCulture and Community:
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
Job Duties:
40% Teaching
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental engineering, including courses in wastewater engineering. Develop courses and participate in curriculum development. Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students throughout the course of their studies.
40% Research
Develop and conduct an innovative research program in wastewater engineering. Relevant areas may include, but are not limited to, advanced physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes; resource and energy recovery; water reuse; emerging contaminants; environmental biotechnology and microbiology; decentralized treatment; process modeling, sensing, automation, and optimization; and resilient and sustainable wastewater systems. Establish a strong research agenda leading to external grant support and publication in recognized refereed journals, and participate in local, national, and international professional conferences and other activities appropriate to the discipline. Supervise M.S. and Ph.D. studies.
20% Service
Perform service activities normally expected of university faculty commensurate with rank, including committee service to the Department, School, and University. Also includes national and international service to the profession.
Required QualificationsAll Ranks:
- Earned doctorate in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment.
- Demonstrable expertise in wastewater engineering.
- Ability to communicate ideas effectively and work well with others, as demonstrated through application materials and interview.
- Demonstrated potential to develop an externally funded research program and to design and teach high-quality undergraduate and graduate courses.
At the rank of Associate Professor:
- Sustained record of scholarship and research;
- Evidence of national recognition in the field;
- Demonstrated experience in leading multidisciplinary teams;
- A minimum of five years of post-Ph.D. professional experience in a faculty role or an equivalent combination of academic and relevant industry/practice experience.
At the rank of Professor:
- Sustained record of scholarship and research;
- Evidence of national and international recognition in the field;
- Demonstrated experience in leading multidisciplinary teams;
- A minimum of ten years of post-Ph.D. professional experience in a faculty role or an equivalent combination of academic and relevant industry/practice experience, with a sustained record of leadership.
Application review will begin November 12, 2026, and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants is received.
Contact Information to ApplicantsSearch Committee Chair: Justin Hutchison, jhutch@ku.eduAdvertised Salary RangeCommensurate with experienceApplication Review BeginsThursday November 12, 2026Anticipated Start DateWednesday August 18, 2027Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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