Assistant Professor

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry. The successful candidate will lead innovative research in areas spanning drug design, chemical probes, and related chemical biology themes, with potential ties to cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and metabolism.

The candidate must hold a Ph.D. and have postdoctoral experience, with a strong record of mentorship and teaching in graduate (PhD) and professional

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry or closely related field is required.
• Experience developing independent, externally funded research programs is desirable.
• Experience mentoring graduate students and postdocs is expected.

Responsibilities

• Develop an independent, internationally visible, well-funded research program.
• Mentor and train graduate students, postdocs, and researchers.
• Teach graduate and professional programs within the department.

Skills

Independent research

Mentor trainees

Graduate/PhD teaching

Education

Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry

Job description

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Position/Rank

Department

Department 00279 - Medicinal Chemistry

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Track

New Position to Begin

New Position to Begin 07/01/2026

Details

The University of Utah Department of Medicinal Chemistry invites applicants for a tenure track assistant professor position. Potential areas of interest include but are not limited to design and discovery of pharmaceutical drugs and chemical probes, synthetic medicinal chemistry, synthetic biology, computational methods in drug discovery, natural product-inspired drug design, nucleic acid chemistry, screening technologies, and innovative applications of chemistry at the interface of cancer, infectious disease, immunology, neuroscience or metabolism.

Candidates will be evaluated for their capacity to develop an independent, internationally visible, and well-funded research program, and exemplify effective research trainee mentorship, as well as teaching in the graduate (PhD) and professional (PharmD) programs. A Ph.D. degree and postdoctoral experience are required. The Department of Medicinal Chemistry in the College of Pharmacy is housed in the state-of-the-art Skaggs Research Institute and is part of the Health Sciences Center. Research is strongly supported by excellent chemical and biochemical infrastructure, cross-disciplinary graduate programs in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology, and many university programs and training grants. Opportunities exist for the successful candidate to align research areas with campus-wide initiatives in chemical biology, cancer, neuroscience, immunology, inflammation and infectious diseases, data science and artificial intelligence, diabetes and metabolism, and genomic medicine (https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/research/areas-initiatives). The successful candidate will also have access to outstanding research cores (https://cores.utah.edu/). Cancer-focused research programs are facilitated by proximity to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, which is an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center where Medicinal Chemistry faculty may become affiliated researchers.

Salt Lake City offers an exceptional quality of life with plenty of opportunities for outdoor and cultural recreation. As Utah’s flagship institution, the University of Utah is increasingly recognized nationally and internationally for its cutting-edge research and quality of educational programs. It is a research-intensiver institution with annual research funding approaching eight hundred million dollars, a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere, state-of-the-art healthcare, and research facilities, and is highly supportive of student and faculty entrepreneurial activities. The College of Pharmacy consistently ranks in the top ten for receiving National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) funding among the colleges of pharmacy in the US.

The starting date is flexible and the position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are complete. For full consideration interested applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statements of research (up to 5 pages) and teaching (up to 3 pages) and a list of names and contact information for at least three references online by November 15, 2025 at: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/188321

General questions related to this advertisement can be directed to the search committee chair, Eric Schmidt at [e-mail].

The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/ .

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu .

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (URS). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Open Date

09/15/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Requisition Number

PRN03896F

Type

Faculty

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Statement
• Research Statement
• List of References

Optional Documents

• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only
• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]