"Assistant Professor - Organic-Polymer Chemistry"

Job Details

This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track undergraduate faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interests and ability to develop and teach courses in Organic Chemistry and other classes dependent on expertise and department needs such as polymer. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching, research grants, internship supervision and other funding sources. Anticipated appointment date: August 24, 2026.

The department has 7 full-time chemistry faculty and offers American Chemical Society approved programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry along with programs in Chemistry Education and Biotechnology. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester.  The department’s instrumentation includes:  dedicated chromatography laboratory,  SEM, UV-Vis spectrometers, glovebox, 400 MHz multinuclear NMR, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), atomic absorption spectrometer, FT-IR, microwave reactor, fluorometer, dynamic light scattering analyzer (DLS), GC-MS, ball mills, and joint optics laboratory with the Physics Department, all of which will be housed in the new Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) opening in January 2026.   Additional information about the department can be found at http://www.uwrf.edu/CHEM/.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will be expected to
• Effectively teach organic chemistry and other courses as department need and/or applicant expertise dictates;
• Develop an active research program in organic and/or polymer chemistry involving undergraduate students;
• Serve as academic advisor to undergraduate students;
• Contribute to the department, college, university, and/or wider community through service roles.

Qualifications Required:

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related field at the start of the appointment;

Qualifications Preferred:

• Experience teaching undergraduate students;
• Demonstrated potential for research involving undergraduate students;
• Instrumentation skills appropriate to support an undergraduate organic and polymer chemistry curriculum;
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration with UWRF and/or external partners in industry, higher education, or the community;
• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences and commitment to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Graduate and Undergraduate Transcripts (official transcripts will be required at hire)
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)
• A statement, not to exceed five pages, describing: 1) your teaching interests, experience and philosophy; evidence of successful teaching at the college level; and understanding of inclusive teaching practices. 2) Your research and scholarly activity agenda, including a summary of research experience and research plans appropriate for a predominantly undergraduate institution.
• A list of 3-4 references who can comment on your teaching ability, experience and/or professional preparation, including the references’ relationship to the candidate, the references’ phone number, and the references’ email address.

Inquiries should be addressed to:

Ross Jilk, Ph.D.
Search Chair and Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology
ross.jilk@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before January 19, 2026.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.95%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf