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Full-Time Assistant/Associate Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering

Northwestern University H-1B Education Full-timeEvanston, IL $133,000 – $143,000 (Assistant Professor); $145,000 – $158,000 (Associate Professor)
Posted Oct 2, 2026 · Expires Oct 24, 2026

Quick facts

Pay
$133,000 – $143,000 (Assistant Professor); $145,000 – $158,000 (Associate Professor)
Type
Full-time
Location
Evanston, IL
Background
PhD
Skills
Engineering
Industry
Education — 267 open jobs
Visa in listing
H-1B
Apply
Free to apply — never pay anyone for a job offer or visa sponsorship

Job description

Full-Time Assistant/Associate Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University (http://www.chbe.northwestern.edu) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the level of assistant or associate professor. Candidates must have received a Ph.D. in chemical engineering or a related discipline, demonstrate excellence in research, and show a strong commitment to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

This search is restricted to those proposing research in the following areas: high performance computing for molecular simulations, experimental catalysis or separations, process systems engineering and analysis. Ideal candidates will be those that can leverage and synergize with Northwestern’s existing strengths in soft or hard materials, reaction kinetics or catalysis, process systems engineering or modeling, or sustainable and resilient systems. Applications are especially welcome from candidates whose vision may integrate with existing research centers and institutes at Northwestern (https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/chemical-biological/research/) or who might be interested in a partial appointment with another department in the McCormick School of Engineering.

Application packages will be evaluated based on evidence of past research productivity, potential for scholarly impact in future research in the directions indicated above, and evidence of or potential for impactful teaching. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by November 1, although applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Compensation

The expected base pay range for this position at the Assistant Professor level is $133,000 – $143,000 and at the Associate Professor level is $145,000 – $158,000. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment, does not include summer salary, and is subject to negotiation. Sponsorship for an H-1B visa may be available for qualified candidates, subject to institutional policies and applicable immigration regulations.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal competitors; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benedžts. The available benedžts package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benedžts for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and Ǐlex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benedžts, including eligibility details, visit us at Northwestern Benefits to learn more.

Please read the instructions and prepare all documents before proceeding to the application page. Applicants must apply online and upload all of the following application materials as Adobe PDF Files:

  • A Cover Letter that summarizes the applicant’s (i) research and teaching accomplishments, and (ii) vision for their future research program and its connection to activities ongoing at Northwestern
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Research Statement (approximately 5 pages)
  • Teaching Experience, Interests and Mentoring Statement (approximately 2 pages)
  • A list of names and email addresses for three to four external academic references.

Applications will only be accepted via online submission. Please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted. All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the “Submit” button. The application portal can be accessed at this link: https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/chemical-biological/careers/

Questions may be directed to chbe-search@northwestern.edu. More information about the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, including information about existing research centers and institutes related to the Department, can be found at http://www.chbe.northwestern.edu

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

Visa sponsorship record: Northwestern University

Sponsors actively
772H-1B labor applications (LCA)93% certified
606H-1B petitions approved by USCISapproval rate 99% · 336 new
8Green card filings (PERM)8 certified
$71kMedian H-1B salaryfrom LCA filings
Fiscal yearH-1B LCAsUSCIS approvalsUSCIS denialsPERM
FY20262791522—
FY202531421928
FY20241792353—

✔ Northwestern University filed 7 H-1B applications for this kind of role (Engineers, All Other) in the period above.

Also filed: E-3 Australian × 7, H-1B1 Singapore × 1 — a good sign for Australian (E-3), Chilean and Singaporean (H-1B1) candidates.

Roles they sponsor most

  • postdoctoral scholar73 LCAs · median $65k
  • research associate53 LCAs · median $69k
  • research assistant professor39 LCAs · median $81k
  • research associate34 LCAs · median $70k
  • postdoctoral scholar30 LCAs · median $62k

Full sponsorship history of Northwestern University →

Which visas can work for this job

Occupation: Engineers, All Other (SOC 17-2199) — estimated from the job title.

  • Mentioned in the listing

    H-1B

  • H-1B cap-exempt employer

    Likely cap-exempt (university, affiliated hospital or nonprofit research body): H-1B can be filed any time of year, with no lottery. Confirm with HR.

  • TN (citizens of Canada and Mexico)

    This kind of role may fit the USMCA profession “Engineer” — it depends on the actual duties. No lottery, no cap; you need the matching degree or license.

  • E-3 (Australia) and H-1B1 (Chile, Singapore)

    This employer has filed before (E-3 Australian: 7, H-1B1 Singapore: 1). Same degree requirement as H-1B, but no lottery and a separate quota that is rarely filled.

  • O-1 (extraordinary ability)

    For candidates with awards, publications, press, a high salary or critical roles at distinguished organizations. No cap, no lottery; the employer files a petition.

  • STEM OPT extension (F-1 students)

    Requires an E-Verify employer. We didn't find this company in the E-Verify list — ask HR.

  • Green card (EB-2 / EB-3 via PERM)

    Filed 8 PERM labor certifications: they have a track record of sponsoring permanent residence.

Salary vs prevailing wage

Level III (experienced)

Engineers, All Other · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Annual prevailing wages set by the Department of Labor (OFLC).

L1L2L3L4
LevelPrevailing wageH-1B lottery odds*
Level I$70,325~15%
Level II$94,536~31%
Level III$118,747~46%
Level IV$142,958~61%

This job pays $133,000–$143,000 a year — that's Level III (experienced). In the wage-weighted H-1B lottery a Level III registration gets 3 entries; estimated selection chance about 46% — better than average.

* Odds are DHS projections for the FY2027 wage-weighted lottery (actual results vary by year and employer). Since the FY2027 cap season the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level: Level I = 1 entry, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4. The level is set by the offered wage against the prevailing wage for the occupation and worksite. Separately, a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US was announced in 2025; as of September 2026 a federal court ruling keeps it unenforceable while appeals continue — check the current status.

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC disclosure data (H-1B/H-1B1/E-3 LCA, PERM), OFLC prevailing wage data, USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, E-Verify participating employers. Data loaded: LCA FY2024–FY2026, PERM, USCIS Data Hub, OFLC wages; updated 2026-10-03. Employers are matched by name, so records of companies with similar names can occasionally be mixed up. This is general information, not legal advice — talk to an immigration attorney about your case.