Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Boise State University; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Boise State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Chemistry and Biochemistry. The position supports biomedical and dairy chemistry research within an interdisciplinary Biomolecular Sciences Cluster, with potential for external funding and collaboration across departments.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students, and contribute to developing new electives aligned with the department and university

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical, Food Science with focus in Dairy Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Postdoctoral Research
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in research
• Experience applying for external research funding
• Research contributing to Boise State’s interdisciplinary strength areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop or apply experimental, computational, or data‑driven approaches to chemical/biophysical processes relevant to human health.
• Establish and sustain an externally funded research program.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers and disseminate findings in peer‑reviewed venues.
• Teach existing courses and develop new undergraduate electives in related areas.

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical, Food Science with focus in Dairy Chemistry, or a closely related field

Job description

Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Job no: 499874

Work type: Faculty

Location: Boise

Categories: College of Arts & Sciences

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Boise State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date in the Fall semester of 2027.

We seek candidates who develop or apply experimental, computational, or data-driven approaches to study chemical or biophysical processes relevant to human health, with preference for research that complements existing strengths at Boise State in either dairy chemistry or biomedical research, or a combination of the two. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and sustain an externally funded research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers, and disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications and other appropriate scholarly venues.

This position is part of Boise State University's interdisciplinary Biomolecular Sciences Cluster Hire Initiative, with open positions in the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. The goal is to support a cohort of scientists with the potential to create new interdisciplinary research collaborations, support graduate education and the growth of doctoral programs, position Boise State for long-term research distinction, and build on existing institutional strengths.

Biomedical Research

We strongly encourage applications from candidates whose research has biomedical applications and strong potential to attract NIH and other externally sponsored research funding. Candidates should describe the potential for their research to contribute to at least one of the existing or emerging areas of interdisciplinary strength at Boise State University, including Matrix Biology COBRE, the Convergent Engineering and Biomolecular Science (CEBS) COBRE, Healthy Idaho Clinical and Translational Research (CTR-D) Program, Food and Dairy Innovation Center, Neuroscience, Cancer Research, and Quantum Information Science. Applicants should also discuss how their research could leverage Boise State's shared instrumentation, core facilities (BRCF and FaCT Cores), and collaborative research infrastructure, including resources available through the Biomedical Research Institute, while contributing to a collaborative environment that advances scientific discovery, graduate education, and externally funded research.

Dairy Chemistry

Dairy chemistry candidates should have expertise in subject matter related to analytical, physical, computational, biochemical, biomedical, environmental, or process engineering. The successful candidate will be expected to actively engage with the Building University-Industry Linkages through Learning and Discovery (BUILD) Dairy network, support from Dairy Management Inc., involved with public-private partnership and the Western Dairy Center or one of the other regional dairy centers across the United States. The Food and Dairy Innovation Center at Boise State University offers access to a collaborative state-of-the-art facility that may be leveraged as a resource for the successful dairy chemist.

Research-active faculty in the department typically teach an average of one course per semester, with teaching responsibilities including both undergraduate and graduate courses. The successful candidate will be expected to teach existing courses and contribute to the development of new undergraduate electives that complement and expand the Department's current curriculum, in areas such as food chemistry, environmental chemistry, forensic chemistry, or other topics aligned with their expertise. The successful candidate will also contribute to departmental, university, and professional service. A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field is required, as is a demonstrated commitment to excellence in research, effective teaching, and creating an inclusive mentoring environment. Postdoctoral research experience is preferred but not required.

We offer dedicated laboratory space, competitive start-up funds and direct access to shared instrumentation and core facilities. Institutional assistantships across interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs are available to support mentored Ph.D. students.

Department overview:

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry fosters a collaborative and collegial environment that values excellence in teaching, continuous improvement, and a shared commitment to student success. Our vision is to "Promote student success through excellence in chemistry." We advance this vision through a rigorous curriculum and exceptional research experiences that develop critical thinking, scientific independence, proficiency with modern instrumentation and laboratory practices, and effective scientific communication.

Boise State University is a Carnegie-classified R2 institution with high research activity, and the Department is committed to expanding the impact and visibility of its research programs. Faculty conduct research across a broad range of areas, including dairy science, food chemistry, drug discovery and medicinal chemistry, medical devices, cosmochemistry, computational chemistry, enzymology, protein chemistry, and spectroscopy. The Department seeks to further strengthen its research portfolio through this hire in areas that create opportunities for collaboration across biomolecular science, food and dairy chemistry, chemical sensing, and related fields.

The Department offers Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Chemistry. Faculty also mentor Ph.D. students through interdisciplinary doctoral programs, including Biomolecular Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering, Computing, and Biomedical Engineering. These programs provide opportunities for collaboration and graduate mentorship that extend across departmental and disciplinary boundaries.

The Department currently comprises 11 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 5 full-time teaching faculty, 8 full-time laboratory instructors, and 10 staff members. We serve approximately 160 undergraduate chemistry majors and mentor 12 M.S. students in Chemistry and 16 Ph.D. students across three interdisciplinary doctoral programs.

We are proud of our collaborative culture and our shared commitment to "work in a department that embraces a team spirit of cooperation and respect for all."

About Boise State:

Boise State University is a powerhouse of creativity, research, and impact. Our campus sits along the Boise River and reaches into the heart of Idaho's capital - a vibrant hub for innovation, culture, and outdoor adventure. We're nationally recognized for trailblazing research, student success, and community impact.

Our faculty are scholars, mentors, and changemakers who advance ideas, discoveries, and the next generation of leaders. Boise offers the perfect backdrop - a welcoming city with a thriving arts scene, growing tech sector, and mountains on the horizon. Join us and help shape a bold, collaborative academic community.

Learn more about faculty careers at Boise State and the City of Boise.

Minimum qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical, Food Science with focus in Dairy Chemistry, or a closely related field

Preferred qualifications:

• Postdoctoral Research
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in research
• Experience using evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPS)
• Demonstrated experience in, or strong potential for, applying for and securing external research funding.
• Research to contribute to at least one of the existing or emerging areas of interdisciplinary strength at Boise State University as outlined above.

Required application materials:

• Cover letter (1-2 page)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching philosophy statement (1 page)
• Research statement (3-5 pages including a 3-year research project plan, student graduate student engagement, laboratory infrastructure needs, and budget table to detail startup fund investment)
• Contact information for three professional references

Position will close for new applicants on October 25, 2026.

For questions regarding this position, please contact the search committee chair, Prof. Owen McDougal by email at [e-mail].

Salary and Benefits:

The 9-month academic year salary ranges from $75,000 to $80,000.

Our standard faculty contract is a 9-month contract (unless otherwise noted) with pay and benefits spread over 12 months. This is a yearly, renewable contract, unless noted that the position is temporary. More information about faculty contract and work days is available here.

Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 10.76% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
• Dual Career Assistance Support for spouses and partners.
• See our full benefits page for more information