| Location | Cleveland, OH |
| Salary | $115,000–$120,000 Per Year |
Overview
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Semantic Materials Science. Desired areas of expertise include semantic data management and web technologies, interoperable ontologies (e.g., based on Basic Formal Ontology), and knowledge graphs, alongside machine learning and artificial intelligence applied at the intersection of materials and data sciences. The successful candidate will leverage data-driven modeling, deep learning, FAIRification, and FAIR analysis to address critical challenges across a broad spectrum of material classes including metals, ceramics, polymers, and semiconductors. Of particular interest is the capability to incorporate historical and legacy data, as well as conduct geospatiotemporal studies of materials systems performance under real-world and accelerated degradation conditions. The ideal candidate will bridge foundational materials domain knowledge with advanced data architectures and AI/LLM methodologies to build a nationally recognized research program that catalyzes interdisciplinary collaborations across the university. The applicant will be considered for inclusion in the $14.3 DOE-NNSA funded Materials Data Science for Stockpile Stewardship Center of Excellence.
Outstanding candidates at the Assistant Professor rank will be considered for an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. In recognition of the interdisciplinary nature of this field, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to consider a secondary or joint appointment (up to 25%) in Computer and Data Science.
This position is part of an ambitious faculty hiring plan this year within the Case School of Engineering and is in support of the President's and Provost's Faculty 100 Initiative to hire at least 100 new tenure and tenure-track faculty at Case Western Reserve University (https://case.edu/provost/initiatives/faculty-100) by 2028 in areas that address global challenges.
The Department is distinguished by its dynamic, innovative, and supportive culture, as well as its strong record of student satisfaction. Faculty in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering benefit from access to exceptional research infrastructure, including the Advanced Manufacturing and Mechanical Reliability Center (AMMRC), the Case Metals Processing Lab (CMPL), the Nitinol Commercialization Accelerator Lab (NCAL), the Swagelok Center for Surface Analysis of Materials (SCSAM), the Solar Durability and Lifetime Extension (SDLE) Core Facility and Research Center-with exposure and characterization capabilities, an Aconity LPBF tool, and an outdoor test facility-and Sears Think[box], a world-class innovation center and maker space. In addition, CWRU High Performance Computing (HPC) provides versatile high-performance computational resources, further complemented by SDLE's 2.5 PB Hadoop clusters and Nvidia AISC infrastructure with 2.5 TB of GPU memory.
About Us
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is a leading private research university, located in Cleveland's vibrant University Circle. The university is known for its strengths in interdisciplinary research, academic excellence, and collaboration with world-renowned healthcare, cultural, and industry partners. In 2026, CWRU was named to the Forbes' "New Ivies" list. CWRU's research expenditures trajectory also earned the #1 spot as the fastest-growing research university in the Association of American Universities (AAU).
Under the leadership of CWRU President Eric W. Kaler, the university is guided by three institutional priorities: to elevate academic excellence, expand the research enterprise and enhance community engagement and impact. The university is celebrating its bicentennial this year with the opening of a new $300 million interdisciplinary science and engineering building, intended to foster greater collaboration across disciplines to improve the world.
The Case School of Engineering is a major driver of innovation, discovery, and translational impact at Case Western Reserve. The school is known for excellence in both foundational and applied research, with strengths spanning biomedical engineering, computer and data sciences, materials, energy, robotics, manufacturing, human health, and emerging technologies. Faculty benefit from strong institutional support for research and innovation, as well as extensive opportunities to collaborate across the university and with major external partners including NASA Glenn Research Center, hospital affiliates (including the Cleveland Clinic), regional industry, and national laboratories. Faculty in the Case School of Engineering are encouraged to pursue joint appointments with external partners as well as other exchange opportunities such as industry-based sabbaticals. The school is at the forefront of CWRU's new National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine, NEO-SMART, backed by an NSF investment of up to $160M over 10 years with well over 70 partners across Northeast Ohio. The school's educational mission is equally distinctive, emphasizing experiential learning and student mentorship.
Faculty are supported in their research pursuits through advanced instrumentation in shared facilities, advanced research computing resources, research centers and institutes, and strong administrative support for proposal development and grants management. Faculty are supported in their pursuit of teaching excellence and engineering educational innovations through the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education. CWRU also offers outstanding opportunities for pursuing entrepreneurship and translational research. The university supports innovation through resources for intellectual property development, commercialization, startup creation, and strategic partnerships, enabling faculty to extend the reach of their research from discovery to societal benefit.
CWRU's 267-acre campus is in the heart of Cleveland's University Circle, one of the nation's top arts districts and within walking distance of three major hospitals. Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs are known for their affordable, high-quality of life, with access to great schools, recreation options, and a vibrant community.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
Establish and sustain an externally funded and internationally recognized research program
Contribute to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education through teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and contributing to curriculum development and innovations
Participate in departmental, school, university, and professional-society service
Engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary activities across the university and with external partners, including industry and national laboratories.
Salary & Benefits
In compliance with the City of Cleveland's Pay Transparency Ordinance (effective October 27, 2025), the annual starting base salary range for this position is from $115,000 - $120,000. CWRU considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, and paid time off. For more details on CWRU's benefits, see https://case.edu/hr/benefits.
Required Qualifications
An earned PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field by the start date
An excellent academic record
A clearly articulated vision for an innovative and societally relevant research program aligned with the strategic priorities of the department, and the skills to implement that vision
Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and commitment to effective mentoring and student success, and if being considered for a tenured position, a strong track record of excellence in both teaching and mentoring
Strong written and oral communication skills in English
Preferred Qualifications
Postdoctoral, industrial, or other relevant research experience beyond the Ph.D.
Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration