Endowed Welch Chair of Chemistry

About the role

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UTEP invites nominations and applications for the endowed Welch Chair in Chemistry. This prestigious position, established through an endowment from the Welch Foundation, is intended for a nationally recognized leader in chemical research. The successful candidate will maintain an internationally visible research program, actively pursue external funding, and provide visionary leadership to enhance the department’s research capacity and collaborative culture.

The Chair will complement or unify existing strengths in the department, including energy, catalysis, molecular design, and chemical biology. Responsibilities include contributing to graduate and undergraduate education, mentoring faculty and students at all levels, and shaping the future direction and growth of the department. The Chair will also be well-positioned to lead and participate in center-scale, interdisciplinary funding initiatives aligned with state and federal research priorities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an internationally visible research program
• Actively pursue external funding opportunities
• Provide visionary leadership to enhance the department’s research capacity and collaborative culture
• Contribute to graduate and undergraduate education
• Mentor faculty and students across all levels
• Shape the future direction and growth of the department
• Lead and participate in center-scale, interdisciplinary funding initiatives aligned with state and federal research priorities

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field
• A record of nationally and internationally recognized research excellence
• Evidence of sustained extramural funding and scholarly productivity
• A commitment to mentoring students and early-career scientists
• Qualifications commensurate with appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading interdisciplinary research initiatives
• Demonstrated success in mentoring junior faculty and building collaborative research environments
• Research interests that align with key departmental strengths in energy, catalysis, molecular design, or structural biochemistry