Assistant Research Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Position Overview

The Herff College of Engineering at The University of Memphis invites applications for a dynamic, highly collaborative Assistant Research Professor (ARP). This specialized, non-tenure-track faculty position serves as the vital technical and intellectual bridge across three core departments: Biomedical Engineering (BME), Civil Engineering (CIVL), and Mechanical Engineering (MECH). 

The successful candidate will manage a Shared Materials Lab environment and establish a central "Fabrication-to-Function" nexus. The primary focus of this role is to accelerate interdisciplinary research, generate critical preliminary data for federal grants, and pioneer the development of sustainable, bio-inspired materials alongside advanced additive manufacturing techniques. 

Core Strategic Themes

The ARP will center their research, fabrication efforts, and grant writing around four core thematic pillars: 

1. Bio-regenerative scaffolds for tissue engineering. 
2. Sustainable "Green" composites for civil infrastructure applications. 
3. Multi-scale fabrication of highly functional materials. 
4. Multi-scale mechanical characterization of hybrid materials. 
    

Key Collaborations

The ARP will work with a robust, pre-established cohort of materials science and engineering experts, including but not limited to: 

• Biomedical Engineering: Dr. Amber Jennings (Lead Mentor, Infection/Biomaterials), Dr. Joel Bumgardner (Dental Regeneration), Dr. Gary Bowlin (Tissue Templates/Electrospinning), and Dr. Hayden Carlton (Thermal Therapy). 
• Civil Engineering: Dr. Farhad Jazei (Co-Lead, Sustainable Infrastructure) and Dr. Yuankai Huang (Sensors & Functionalized Materials). 
• Mechanical Engineering: Dr. Yuan Gao (Technical Lead, Microfluidics/MPS), Dr. Gladius Lewis (Bone Cement/Stents), and Dr. Ranganathan Gopalakrishnan (Aerosol Delivery & Processes). 
• External Synergy: Potential to facilitate broader inter-college collaborations with faculty in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. 
   

Candidates must submit their application through https://workforum.memphis.edu. Click on the full-time faculty menu to find the Biomedical Engineering posting. Applications must include a cover letter, a comprehensive curriculum vitae, the full names and contact information (address, phone number, and e-mail address) of three professional references, and a statement on research philosophy.  Screening of applications will begin in August 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.