Search launching for next director of KU's Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis

From: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 2:15 p.m.
To: CEBC interested parties, deans, associate deans for research, center & core lab directors, Office of Research staff

Today we launch an international search for the next director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis.

We aim to hire a visionary leader who will build on the strengths cultivated by founding director Bala Subramaniam — who is returning to a full-time faculty role at KU — and guide the faculty, staff and students of this designated research center toward achieving its goals in research, education and outreach. The director also will hold a 50% appointment as a tenured, full professor in the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering.

The search page, job posting and leadership profile (.pdf) dive more deeply into the breadth of responsibilities the new director will be asked to assume, as well as the qualifications the committee believes will position candidates to excel in the role. We’re looking for someone with deep and inclusive scientific and administrative leadership experience, a record of scholarly achievement in sustainability issues in the chemical processing industry, and demonstrated ability to teach effectively and bring together constituencies across disciplines, career stages and industry sectors.

If all goes as planned, the committee will begin reviewing candidate materials by late May and interview finalists this summer. We anticipate the new director will start in August 2024. All CEBC faculty, staff, students and other interested parties will have an opportunity to meet and provide feedback about each of the finalists.

Kevin Leonard, associate professor of chemical & petroleum engineering, is serving as chair of the search committee. Other members include:

  • James Blakemore, associate professor, chemistry
  • Derek Butler, senior scientist, Archer Daniels Midland
  • Rachael Gabrielle Farber, assistant professor, chemistry
  • Jay Kalbas, director, Kansas Geological Survey & professor, geology
  • Xiaoli Li, associate professor, chemical & petroleum engineering
  • Christopher Lyon, administrative director, CEBC
  • Ana Chicas-Mosier, director of education, outreach & diversity, CEBC
  • Candan Tamerler, associate vice chancellor for research (ex officio)

Please share this position broadly through your professional networks to help build a pool of outstanding candidates for this important leadership role. Past searches have shown that candidates are most likely to apply when colleagues personally reach out to them. I am enlisting all of you to help in this task.

Thanks in advance for your engagement in this process. Please let me know if you have any questions along the way.

Respectfully,
Belinda

Belinda Sturm
Interim Vice Chancellor for Research