The Grainger College of Engineering: Assistant Professor - Bioengineering

Assistant Professor - AI and Physical AI
Department of Bioengineering
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Bioengineering in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a tenure-track, full-time faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. We welcome applications focusing on Artificial Intelligence in Bioengineering, including embodied intelligence and physical AI. Areas of interest include but are not limited to developing and applying new AI architectures in bioengineering contexts, AI-based approaches for synthetic biology and biomolecular engineering, AI-enhanced medical imaging and diagnostics, robotic and autonomous surgery, and NeuroAI. Candidates may focus on developing new AI methods or on applying existing tools to address bioengineering problems.

Successful candidates are expected to establish and maintain an active and independent research program, teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession.

The Department of Bioengineering currently has three undergraduate degree programs in Bioengineering, Neural Engineering, and Computer Science + Bioengineering, three Masters of Science and Engineering programs, and one doctoral program , with total enrollments of 633 undergraduate and 204 graduate students. Ranked in the top 20 undergraduate and graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report, the Department of Bioengineering at Illinois develops innovative engineering, technology, and quantitative methods to address grand challenges in human health and sustainability. These efforts encompass research and education across multiple disciplines including micro- and nanotechnology, bioimaging, computational and systems biology, cell and tissue engineering, synthetic bioengineering, and biomedical engineering education. The department is undergoing substantial growth in its educational and research programs. With state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities, the growth of the Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, and strong collaborations with Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, the Department of Bioengineering is positioned to impact fundamental and translational research as well as the integration of engineering and medical education.

Faculty and students at Illinois benefit from access to world-class experimental and computational facilities across campus, including the Cancer Center at Illinois, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, the Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, two new national AI institutes – The Molecule Maker Lab Institute and AI for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability (AIFARMS), and many other research centers, clinical sites, and educational programs on our campus.

A successful candidate is expected to possess a demonstrated track record of productivity and experience in research and interdisciplinary collaboration. A doctoral degree in bioengineering or a relevant STEM discipline is required at the start date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $98,000 to $135,000 at the Assistant Professor level for a 9-month service basis paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 30, 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. Those submitted after the stated deadline may still be considered until the position is filled. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. A start date is expected in the fall of 2027; however, this is negotiable.

To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: (1) cover letter with current contact information, including email address, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) research statement, (4) teaching statement, (5) service statement, (6) names and contact information for three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research, teaching, and service statements offer a chance to share your motivation, approach, experience, leadership, impact, and vision in each area, including how you would support the university’s land-grant mission (https://boldly.illinois.edu/), through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Kathy Atwood at kbuss@illinois.edu.

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 (https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/).

Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.

Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

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 accommodation 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.