The University of Maine, the flagship campus of the University of Maine System, invites applications for the position of an Endowed Chair Professorship in Chemical Engineering. The Chair was established in 1989 by a bequest from J. Larcom Ober, B.S. 1913. The purpose of the Endowed Chair is to promote excellence in chemical engineering with an emphasis on pulp and paper applications. The funds distributed from the endowment are available to support the Chair holder, research staff, equipment, supplies, travel, and other professional expenses of the Chair’s team.

The department is seeking an outstanding scholar with teaching experience in chemical engineering and with research expertise in pulp-and-paper-related fields. The candidate’s credentials must be commensurate with appointment as a full professor with tenure in the department.

UMaine is ranked in the top 100 U.S. public universities. The University fosters a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration through its support of several Research Centers focused on forest bioproducts, advanced engineered composites, sensor technologies, aquaculture, innovation, climate change, and forestry, among others including the Paper Surface Science Program.

The Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering consists of 17 faculty members who are committed to making a diverse range of traditional and non-traditional careers available to our graduates. We are well-equipped to address the needs of a diverse portfolio of paper, specialty chemicals, advanced materials, pharmaceutical, food, and biotechnology sectors. The department has unique pilot plant infrastructure to support research on pulping, papermaking, coating, nanocellulose, and conversion of woody biomass to fuels (synthetic crude oil derived), chemicals and advanced materials. This infrastructure includes a pilot paper machine, pilot coater, pilot facility for nanocellulose production, biomass to bioproducts pilot plant, and synthetic crude oil pilot plant located on-campus at the Process Development Center and off-campus at the Technology Research Center. Both pilot facilities bring in many industry/business contacts.

The University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation nurtures future engineers by financially supporting their academic development through scholarships, connecting students to invaluable industry leaders and real-world job experience, and encouraging personal growth so that they may become the paper industry’s next great leaders in engineering. The Foundation provides financial and networking support for faculty via their 70 corporate partners from throughout the United States and abroad.

Click here to submit applications to the Department of Human Resources.

By accessing the link above, you can find full position details and application requirements. When filling out an application use the following job title: J. Larcom Ober Professor of Chemical Engineering.

Incomplete applications will not be considered, and appropriate background checks will be required. Review of applications will begin March 16, 2021, and the expected start date is August 30, 2021.

Inquiries about this position may be sent to mcwheeler@maine.edu.


The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.