"Assistant Professor of Forensic Investigation"

Job Details

Position Summary: The Criminal Justice & Forensic Investigation department at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Forensic Investigation, with the possibility of teaching selected courses in the Chemistry department starting in August 2026.

The ideal candidate is a criminalist with a chemistry background and laboratory or field experience, and will be affiliated with the Chemistry department. We seek a candidate who can contribute to curriculum development as we undergo FEPAC accreditation review.

This is a full-time, 9-month, benefit-eligible appointment with a salary range of $64,000–$68,000 per academic year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will have a demonstrated competency teaching multiple existing courses (e.g., Criminalistics, Intro to Forensic Sciences, Senior Seminar) and the capacity to develop and teach courses within their area of expertise. Candidates with a chemistry degree will be expected to teach at least one Chemistry prefix course. The typical teaching load is 4 courses per semester (4/4).
• Additional responsibilities include actively participating in research/scholarship/professional activities, providing career and academic advising/mentorship to students, and participating in department, college, university, and public service.
• Other duties may be assigned by the Department Chair.

Required Qualifications:

One of the following:

• Ph.D. in Forensic Science or a related field with significant graduate-level chemistry.
• Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field with relevant experience in criminalistics/forensic applications.
• An ABD (all but dissertation), if hired, will be contractually obligated to have earned their doctoral degree by January 1, 2027.
• MS in Forensic Science and an MS in Chemistry and at least five years of work experience in forensics.

Required:

• Minimum one year teaching experience at the university level.
• Evidence of a strong commitment to undergraduate education in a liberal arts environment and a willingness to collaborate with both students and faculty.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Why It’s Great to be a Pioneer: The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, founded in 1866, offers associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree programs in a broad spectrum of disciplines including: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; criminal justice; education; business; agriculture; and liberal arts. The Platteville campus is located in Southwest Wisconsin's largest community, which has a rich history rooted in mining —particularly lead mining —dating back to the early 19th century. The region offers excellent school systems, high-quality medical and hospital facilities, outstanding recreational opportunities, and vibrant businesses and industries. UW-Platteville serves as a cultural and educational center for the Tri-State region of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

The Department of Criminal Justice & Forensic Investigation’s Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Education have 5 full-time tenure-track positions and regularly employ an additional 8 instructional academic staff. The undergraduate program offers a BA/BS in Criminal Justice and BS in Forensic Investigation. The department offers a BS and MS in Criminal Justice in an online asynchronous modality. The department’s undergraduate majors combined have over 530 on-campus students and over 100 online students, making it the second largest department by undergraduate majors.

The Forensic Investigation program is home to the Forensic Investigation Crime Scene House (FICSH), the Decomposition/Taphonomy facility adjoining the FICSH, a criminalistics/fingerprinting lab, and a dry forensic anthropology lab. With around 330 students, the Forensic Investigation program is the fourth largest on-campus major.

We are in the middle of the FEPAC accreditation process for all three of the Forensic Investigation degree emphases (Crime Scene, Medicolegal Death Investigation, and Laboratory).

Application Deadline: To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 30, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.

The following documents are required for applicant consideration:

• Cover letter addressing all required qualifications. The letter should explicitly state how the applicant’s education, experience, and/or area(s) of expertise would contribute to and/or enhance the department’s existing strengths.
• A Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact information (name, telephone number, and email address) for three professional references.
• A statement of your teaching philosophy.

For questions regarding this position, please contact: Dr. Will LeSuer at lesuerw@uwplatt.edu or 608-342-1033.