The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) invites applications, nominations, and inquiries for the position of Head of the Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) in the College of Engineering. We seek an experienced and visionary leader with a strong record of scholarship, academic leadership, and a deep commitment to both access and excellence.

UIC is the largest public research university in Chicago, a Carnegie R1 institution, and a federally designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). With more than 34,000 students across 16 colleges—including the full complement of health sciences colleges—UIC is one of the most diverse universities in the nation, consistently ranked among the top institutions for social mobility and as one of the highest-value colleges in the U.S.  UIC has over 300,000 alumni and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.  In FY2024, UIC received $486M in sponsored research awards.

Benefits-eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package that offers Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday, and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The College of Engineering
The UIC College of Engineering enrolls over 6,200 students across six departments: Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. The College’s mission is “Access to Excellence and Success”: to educate students to innovate and lead, expand global knowledge through original research, and prioritize partnership with Chicago and Illinois as a public institution. With student enrollment up more than 57% in the past decade and annual research expenditures now exceeding $45M, the College is in a period of historic growth. 

The Department of Biomedical Engineering
The Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering is jointly housed in the College of Engineering and the College of Medicine, offering an extraordinary environment for interdisciplinary research and education. Since its expansion in 2011 into the College of Medicine, the department has become a recognized hub for biomedical discovery and translational innovation.

Under strong leadership, BME has experienced transformative growth across every dimension. The core faculty has more than doubled to 30, including 18 Professional Society Fellows and nine early-career award recipients. Enrollment in the undergraduate (B.S.) program has doubled to ~350 students, complemented by strong M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Annual research expenditures have tripled to ~$10 million, reflecting the department’s nationally recognized research enterprise. Signature programs such as the Innovation in Medicine (IMED) Program for medical students and Clinical Immersion for BME undergraduates provide unique pathways for experiential, translational learning. The department helped launch the IBHE-designated Center for Bioinformatics and Quantitative Biology, co-created the BME Rising Scholars Program to advance diversity in biomedical engineering regionally, and expanded global reach through programs such as a collaborative MS degree with Politecnico di Milano. With generous gifts from alumni, faculty, and friends—including Richard and Loan Hill—the department has strengthened its foundation for sustained excellence in research, teaching, and student support. The next head of BME will join UIC at a time of momentum and opportunity. UIC is Chicago’s largest and only public Carnegie Research-1 university.  The College of Engineering alone enrolls more than 6,000 students, with a rapidly growing research portfolio and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Chicago
Chicago is the most populous city in Illinois and the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388 as of the 2020 census, it is the third-most populous city in the United States. Chicago is the seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S., and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area, which is home to 9.6 million residents. UIC is located nearby two Department of Energy’s national labs, the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), and the rapidly growing Quantum Park, offering unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. It grew rapidly in the mid-19th century. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless, but Chicago's population continued to grow. Chicago made noted contributions to urban planning and architecture, such as the Chicago School, the development of the City Beautiful Movement, and the steel-framed skyscraper. Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. O'Hare International Airport is routinely ranked among the world's top six busiest airports by passenger traffic, and the region is also the nation's railroad hub. The Chicago area has one of the highest gross domestic products (GDP) of any urban region in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018. Chicago's economy is diverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce.

Position Summary
The Head of the Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering will provide visionary leadership to advance the department’s research, education, and service missions. The successful candidate will be an innovative scholar with a record of excellence in research, teaching, and academic leadership, and will articulate a compelling vision for the department’s next decade of growth and impact. The Head will recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty and students; expand and diversify research funding and partnerships with the College of Medicine, national laboratories, industry, and the Illinois Medical District; and foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports student success at all levels. In addition, the Head will represent the department to the university, alumni, philanthropic supporters, and external partners, positioning UIC BME as a leader in biomedical discovery, translational innovation, and workforce development.

Duties & Responsibilities

• The duties and responsibilities of a Department Head are as outlined in the University of Illinois Statutes, Article IV, Section 3.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

For fullest consideration, please submit your CV, the names of three references, and a cover letter outlining your track record of innovative thinking, leadership and commitment to student success, statement of leadership philosophy, and your vision for the UIC BME department (3 pages max) by December 19, 2025.  Applications can only be accepted through the UIC jobs website:

 https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/16896?c=uic

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.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or closely related disciplines
• Proven track record of scholarly achievement that merits tenured appointment 
• Proven track record in administrative leadership in academia, industry, or government

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated innovative thinking and leadership skills to elevate the department's excellence and impact
• Proven ability to create and promote a collective vision for the future of the department's education and research missions
• Experience engaging and collaborating with a broad constituency, including faculty, the university, the academic community, government, industry, non-profits, and alumni
• Strong commitment to fostering student success at both graduate and undergraduate levels
• Track record of establishing and sustaining an outstanding research program