Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering

Muscat University

1. Purpose of the Position

This is a teaching and research focused position to manage and support delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Chemical Engineering. Applicants should demonstrate excellence in teaching and research. Preference will be given to candidates with industry experience and administrative experience. The successful candidate is expected to:

• Teach Modules: Deliver modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in core Chemical Engineering areas including Process Design, Separation Processes, Reaction Engineering, Thermodynamics, Fluid and Heat Transfer, and Process Simulation. The normal teaching load is 3-4 modules per semester (2 semesters per academic year).
• Supervise Projects: Oversee undergraduate and postgraduate projects, design projects (including the major Advanced Process Design project), and dissertations, ensuring students receive guidance on their research methodologies, design practice, and technical outcomes.
• Engage in Research: Actively participate in scholarly research activities that lead to publications in refereed, indexed, and ranked international journals within the field of Chemical Engineering and related areas.
• Collaborate for Grants: Initiate and develop research collaborations that result in successful research grant applications, enhancing the department's funding and research capabilities.
• Curriculum Development: Play a significant role in research, curriculum development, laboratory development, and graduate supervision while attracting research funding to support program initiatives and accreditation activities (e.g., ABET, OAAA).
• Lead Research Output: Produce high-quality scholarly work that contributes to the department's research output and enhances its academic reputation.
• Community Engagement: Participate in service activities for the university as well as professional and local communities, promoting the importance of Chemical Engineering and engaging with industry partners.

Key Responsibilities

• • Deliver high-quality teaching experience in foundation, undergraduate (Chemical Engineering), laboratory, postgraduate programmes and in executive programmes.
  • Ensure all necessary content and material is in place for the degree programmes in time.
  • Construct and plan student assignments, module delivery and assessment, ensuring coherence and relevance.
  • Liaise with the faculty Dean on all student matters & timetable planning and manage module timetable, content & resource areas, liaising with academic & technical staff as appropriate.
  • Engage with students and demonstrators during laboratory sessions to ensure a high level of understanding is achieved by the students.
  • Ensure all learning experiences comply with the expectations of all related standards of the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) and Internation accreditation (ABET).
  • Monitor the student voice through meetings, surveys and reviews and liaise with the Faculty Dean in relation to findings, initiating solutions to any student dissatisfaction or other issues.
  • Formulate and coordinate the Final Year Projects and Thesis to ensure a consistent and rigorous process, including liaising with industry where necessary.
  • Attend Open Days, external events and interviews as required by the Faculty Dean to support recruitment activities.
  • Actively engage with businesses/professional bodies/schools and colleges/communities/enterprises, etc., organize student outreach and invite industry speakers to enhance the student experience and facilitate industrial placement of students, as appropriate.
  • Organize, prepare and participate in university meetings and events including Boards of Examiners, Programme Reviews, Planning and Monitoring committees, Student/Staff Liaison, and faculty and university committees and policy developments.
  • Work with the Faculty Dean and other University representatives to ensure student attainment, success and progression by monitoring student attendance and performance, and obtaining student feedback.

Any other duties as deemed necessary by the Line Manager.

Qualifications, Experience & Competencies:

The Department invites applications for full-time faculty positions from suitable candidates. The position within the Chemical Engineering program requires:

• Educational Qualifications: A PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a closely related discipline from an internationally recognized university.
• Specialization Areas: Expertise in one or more of the following areas: Process Design and Simulation, Reaction Engineering and Catalysis, Separation Processes (distillation, absorption, membrane processes), Process Safety and Risk Assessment, Energy Systems / Renewable Energy Technologies, or Transport Phenomena (fluid flow, heat and mass transfer).
• Teaching Experience: Demonstrated experience teaching Chemical Engineering courses at undergraduate level and supervising research or design projects.
• Research Engagement: Active involvement in research within their areas of specialization, showing intellectual engagement with current trends and challenges in Chemical Engineering.
• Industry Experience: Preference will be given to candidates with relevant industry experience that complements their academic qualifications.
• Practical Skills: Candidates should possess necessary practical computing skills relevant to their areas of expertise, including proficiency in process simulation software (Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, MATLAB).
• Community Participation: Evidence of active participation in university, professional, and local community initiatives related to Chemical Engineering.