Assistant Professor, Physical Chemistry

University of North Florida; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Florida invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-earning Assistant Professor position in Physical Chemistry within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. We seek collaborative scholars who will establish an active research program involving undergraduates and pursuing extramural funding, with emphasis on materials, computational, or biophysical chemistry.

The successful candidate will teach Physical Chemistry I and II, contribute to upper-level electives, mentor

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Excellence in research as demonstrated by a strong publication record and proposals for future work.
• Strong commitment to high-quality research and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an independent research program involving undergraduate/masters students with external funding.
• Teach Physical Chemistry I and II and upper-level electives, and support lower-level courses.
• Participate in departmental governance, advise students, and engage in service across the college and university.

Skills

Research excellence

Teaching excellence

Mentoring

Collaborative communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Physical Chemistry

Postdoctoral experience preferred

Job description

General Description

This is a 9-month, tenure-earning, Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry position in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences. We seek collaborative and innovative scientists and educators who will contribute to our growing research and teaching missions. UNF is a Carnegie R2 institution, reflecting our commitment to high-impact research while maintaining our tradition of excellence in teaching. We are proud to support active faculty researchers and offer competitive startup packages. The department is also conducting a simultaneous search in other subdisciplines of chemistry; scientists working at the interface of these areas are encouraged to apply to the position most aligned with their teaching strengths.

Position Highlights

• Research Expectations: Establish a research program, focusing on physical chemistry related topics, that actively involves undergraduate students and/or masters students. This will include continually pursuing extramural grant support, disseminating research results in presentations at professional conferences, and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. We are especially interested in candidates whose research area is in materials, computational chemistry, or biophysical chemistry. However, we encourage applications with research programs across the physical chemistry spectrum.

Teaching Load

• Four to six courses per academic year, with a reduced load (two per semester) for the first three years. Continued course reductions are available for faculty with strong research productivity aligned with the UNF Strategic Plan.

Courses Taught

• Physical Chemistry I and II both lecture and laboratory, upper-level electives in the candidates area of expertise and a willingness to teach lower-level lecture courses.

Mentorship and Service

• Participate in departmental governance, advise and mentor students, and contribute to our service mission at the department, college, and university levels.

Supervisor: This position reports to the Department Chair.

Working Hours: Varies

Supervision Exercised: This is not a supervisory role.

Required Licensure: N/A

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Excellence in research as demonstrated by a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and proposals for future work.
• A strong commitment to high-quality research and teaching.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

• UNF seeks to attract faculty of the highest caliber, who are skilled in the scholarship of teaching, discovery, application, and integration of knowledge in physical chemistry.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching undergraduate courses within the Chemistry and Biochemistry department curriculum specifically Physical Chemistry I and II, as well as physical chemistry electives, and lower-level courses.
• Strong commitment to mentoring and supervising research students.
• Demonstrated potential to establish an independent research program.
• Postdoctoral experience and teaching experience are preferred.

Anticipated Start Date: August 2, 2027

Additional Application Materials Required

In addition to completing an online application, applicants should provide the following required documents and information:

• Cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcript of highest earned degree
• A single PDF that contains the following three sections

Research Statement (3-5 Pages), Including

• Project Summary,
• How UNF students will be active participants of the research program; include a brief overview of your mentoring plan for students with varying lab skills, and
• A short summary/list of where you will seek external funding (including which program)

For Proposed Startup Budget ($200-300K, over three years) (1 page)including

• A list of equipment required to start an independent research program (this list should include items that are greater than $10,000), and
• An estimate of supplies, chemicals, and consumables to complete the proposed researc