Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public 

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular Tenure Track

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: Commensurate with rank and experience

Salary Range: $87,000

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008




Brief Description of Duties

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is an urban land-grant institution and is classified as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). UDC is the only public university in Washington, DC and it aims to offer a comprehensive, quality post-secondary education that is affordable to DC residents at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. Within UDC’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), there are programs in Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. 

The UDC Biomedical Engineering program is seeking applications for a tenure-track assistant professor with a position start date as soon as Spring 2022. The desired areas of expertise are welcomed, but not limited to: Bioinstrumentation, Biomechanics, Assistive Technologies, Robotics/Bio robotics, Rehabilitation Engineering, Clinical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering influenced by big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The successful candidate must have exceptional interpersonal communication and management skills necessary to promote programs to sustain strong student enrollment and should have a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching. Though not required, applicants with additional experience (e.g., postdoctoral experience, industrial experience, and/or experience with ABET accreditation procedures) are welcomed.

UDC has the distinction of being the only HBCU nationwide to have an ABET accredited Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering program. The Biomedical Engineering program is currently housed within the Department of Mechanical Engineering in SEAS. Currently, the Department of Mechanical Engineering has research foci in the following areas: Biomedical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Nanotechnology, and Advanced Manufacturing. The Biomedical Engineering program was Department of Education approved in Spring 2017, had its first graduate in Summer 2019, and became ABET accredited in Fall 2021. We are seeking a new faculty member that will contribute to the growth and vision of the Biomedical Engineering program.

Over the past few years, the Biomedical Engineering program faculty have been awarded grants and sponsorships through the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL). Currently, via an awarded multi-million-dollar NIH grant, new biomedical research laboratories are being designed and constructed on the UDC campus with the vision that the facility will emerge as a national hub for cutting-edge biomechanical and rehabilitation engineering research. Further, the biomedical resources within close proximity to UDC are unparalleled (e.g., NIH, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, and the United States Food and Drug Administration).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Faculty duties include developing research in the candidate’s core area, teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, developing externally funded research projects, performing academic duties, university services, and community services.
• The successful applicant will also have an opportunity to work with other faculty members within the University to help develop cross-disciplinary research.
• The hired candidate will be required to support the land-grant research mission of the university by providing efficient solutions to medical-related problems of the District of Columbia.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Have earned a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering, or closely related field, and have a strong record of research, teaching and scholarly works that are commensurate with appointment at the rank of assistant professor.
• Excellent leadership, management, interpersonal, verbal and written communication, management and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of the best models and practices available to encourage student success.  This will require regular research in this area, specific training, as necessary, involvement in relevant forums and conferences and regular reading of higher education news sources.
• Ability to exercise, initiative and creativity in implementing responsibilities.
• Dedication to students, commitment to excellence in creating and providing student support services and ensuring student success.
• Commitment to working in a collaborative environment with other team members.  The successful applicant will work closely with faculty members within the School, Department, and Program.
• Candidates should have a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate education (teaching), as well as research.  
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with ABET accreditation is favorable but not required.
• Ability to: teach undergraduate and graduate students, conduct high-quality research, participate in and developing externally funded research projects, and perform academic duties, university services, and professional services.
• Candidates should have a strong practical expertise in confidentiality, integrity, and availability in technology, policy & practice, and education & awareness of information assurance and incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities.

                A candidate for appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor shall be required to meet the following qualifications:

1. An appropriate terminal degree or agree to complete this degree within a period of time to be specified in the terms of the initial contract; and
2. At least three (3) years of full-time teaching experience, including two (2) years in an institution of higher education.

Appropriate professional experience and achievements may be substituted when formal teaching experience is limited or absent.

When formal teaching experience is limited or absent, the candidate shall be required to demonstrate verifiable potential for effective teaching.

AMENDED *** Applicants should submit the following: 1) a cover letter/letter of application, 2) a comprehensive CV, 3) a teaching philosophy/statement, 4) a research statement, and 5) a list of three references (names and contact information). All applicants should submit required materials, in electronic formats through UDC Career Opportunities website: https://udc.applicantstack.com/x/openings. Reviews will continue until position is filled. For questions, please contact Biomedical Engineering Program Director and Search Committee Chair: Dr. Lara Thompson (lara.thompson@udc.edu).

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by National Education Association (NEA) and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Residency Preference: A person applying for a position who is a bona fide District resident at the time of application for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
 

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .