Assistant Professor in Chemistry

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Davis invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Chemistry. The research should bridge artificial intelligence (AI) and chemistry, with a Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field by Fall 2026.

Candidates must demonstrate the potential for a funded research program and excellence in teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels. We welcome proposals involving AI methods to design catalysts, optimize chemical processes, or predictive spectroscopy.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field required by Fall 2026.
• Strong recommendations.
• Demonstrated potential to achieve a strong record in research, teaching, and service.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate chemistry courses with inclusive teaching practices.
• Potential to establish an externally-funded research program.
• Commitment to service to the department, university, and chemistry communities.

Responsibilities

• Establish a nationally recognized, well-funded research program bridging AI and chemistry.
• Teach both graduate and undergraduate chemistry courses; contribute to curriculum and mentoring.
• Develop AI-driven approaches in catalysts, reaction design, or spectroscopy; pursue innovative interdisciplinary collaborations.

Skills

Strong recommendations

Teaching ability

Funding potential

Service commitment

Research potential

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: \"Off-scale salaries\" and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. A reasonable estimated salary range for this position is $119,600 to $144,200, inclusive of the salary scale and off-scale salary components.

Application Window

Open date: September 3, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Oct 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Assistant Professor in Chemistry, University of California, Davis.

The Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position whose research bridges artificial intelligence (AI) and chemistry.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry or a related field by Fall 2026. Successful candidates are expected to establish a nationally recognized well-funded research program and must demonstrate the potential to achieve exceptional scientific excellence. The candidate is expected to be firmly committed to excellence in teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels in chemistry.

Candidates from all subfields of chemistry are welcome to apply. Proposals involving development of AI methods to design new catalysts or reaction conditions, polymers, biosynthetic pathways, or semiconductor-relevant chemistries; optimize chemical processes (e.g., plastics, photoresist, or etch chemistries); create AI-guided sensors, diagnostics, and instrumentation; or create predictive models for spectroscopy/spectrometry are especially encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with list of publications, one page teaching statement, concise five page or less research statement, at least, three letters of recommendation.

This position will remain open until filled, but applications should be submitted for full consideration by Friday, October 30, 2026.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field.
• Strong recommendations.
• Demonstrated potential to achieve a strong record in the areas of research, teaching, and service.
• Ability to teach both undergraduate and graduate-level chemistry courses with an awareness of methods that address the needs of our increasingly diverse state and student population and help advance UC Davis' strategic goal of improving access and building an inclusive community.
• Demonstrated potential to achieve an externally-funded research program.
• Strong commitment to providing service to the department, university, and chemistry communities.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. including a list of publications.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research - Please discuss your past research accomplishments and an integrated research plan for the first three to five years of an assistant professorship that describes a distinctive research program that bridges artificial intelligence (AI) and chemistry. The statement should not exceed 5 pages excluding references.

• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

• Statement of Teaching - A brief description of teaching experience and teaching philosophy not exceeding one page.

Reference requirements

• 3 letters of reference required

About UC Davis

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• \"Misconduct\" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affidative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, \"Authorization to Release Information\" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: \"To Boldly Go,\" our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green