"Empire Innovation Professor"

Job Details

Empire Innovation Professor

Position Information

Position Title: Empire Innovation Professor
Department: Chemical & Biological Engineering
Posting Link: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/59735

Position Summary
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) at the University at Buffalo (UB) invites candidates to apply for a position at the Associate Professor or Full Professor level to be known as Professor of Empire Innovation. Selected candidates will receive support through the SUNY Empire Innovation Program (EIP) which recognizes high caliber faculty with proven track records of externally funded research.

We invite applications from prominent leaders in the broad fields of AI and Biotechnology. Priority will be given to research areas such as AI-directed initiatives related to small molecule natural products; biologics; cell therapies; manufacturing across food, biotech, and biopharmaceutical products; and the interfacing of biotechnology and non-health-related fields (i.e., the biological production of organic or inorganic materials).

The successful candidate should have a record of scholarly accomplishments, a sustained externally funded research program (with the potential to obtain grants from a wide variety of public and private sources and collaborate and/or establish projects with industry), and teaching experience.

The successful candidate will be expected to

• Maintain an active research program
• Teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels
• Mentor graduate students
• Advise students at all levels
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers and clinicians in a multidisciplinary research environment spanning all Schools of the University as well as the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, the Department of AI and Society, the New York State Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The newly launched Innovation Hub provides opportunities and resources to commercialize technology and launch new companies. In addition, UB was recently chosen as the site of the Empire AI consortium, which will include a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence computing center (to complement the current Center for Computational Research), to be funded by New York State with $400 million in public and private investment.

The University at Buffalo (UB), a member of the prestigious American Association of Universities, is the largest, most comprehensive, and a flagship university in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. UB is tied for No. 36 among 225 public universities in the 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings and comes in at No. 75 in best national universities, which includes major public and private colleges and universities nationwide. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences’ (SEAS) undergraduate engineering program ranked 33rd among public universities and 57th nationally. UB enrolls approximately 22,000 undergraduates, 10,000 graduate students, and employs 1,600 full-time faculty. More details about the UB CBE department can be found here: www.cbe.buffalo.edu

The City of Good Neighbors, Buffalo features a storied history; strong civic pride; a diverse economy; eclectic neighborhoods; a reputation for both comfort foods and fine dining; world-class art galleries and museums; a vibrant theater and music community; waterfront recreation and scenery; architectural gems left by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and others; a city-wide system of parks designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted; the nearby Niagara Escarpment wine region; ready access to the outdoors and related activities (hiking, skiing, fishing, swimming, golfing, boating); four seasons; and both major league (Bills [football], Sabres [hockey], Bandits [lacrosse]) and minor league (Bisons [baseball; Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays]) sports teams. Buffalo sits proximal to two Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario); awe-inspiring Niagara Falls; and southern Ontario, Canada, including the greater metropolitan area of Toronto. The CBE department is located on the UB North Campus in suburban Amherst, an area that combines outstanding public schools and services with a surprisingly low cost-of-living.

Outstanding Benefits Package Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit - all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. Visit our benefits website to learn about our benefit packages.

About The University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must possess a PhD in chemical engineering or a closely related field.

Candidates must demonstrate excellence in research, teaching, service and mentoring. Candidates should be internationally recognized scholars as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, citations and sustained externally funded research programs.

Preferred Qualifications

Physical Demands

Salary Range
competitive

Job Type
Full-Time

Special Instructions Summary
The application package should consist of a cover letter; a curriculum vitae; a research statement no longer than three pages; a teaching statement no longer than one page; a service statement no longer than one page.

Is a background check required for this posting?
No

Contact Information

Contact's Name: Joan Wilson
Contact's Title: Director of Administration
Contact's Email: jmwilson@buffalo.edu
Contact's Phone: 716-645-1174

Posting Dates

Posted: 10/28/2025
Deadline for Applicants: Open Until Filled
Date to be filled: 09/01/2026