"Assistant Professor Physical Chemistry"

Job Details

Assistant Professor Physical Chemistry

College: College of Science and Engineering - 323 College
Dept/School: Chemistry Admin - 32320
Vacancy Number: 16F-749
Position Number: 670
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within the College of Science and Engineering at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Physical Chemistry to begin in August 2026.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in physical chemistry, including associated laboratory courses, as well as other courses aligned with their expertise and departmental needs. In addition, the candidate will develop and maintain a vigorous, externally funded research program that actively involves undergraduate and graduate students.
Responsibilities also include academic advising, mentoring undergraduate students, and participating in departmental service such as committees, meetings, and special projects that support the goals of the department.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field and postdoctoral experience are required.
• Research at either the doctoral or postdoctoral level should include experimental physical chemistry or a closely related area.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Research experience in the broad area of nanochemistry, energy conversion and storage, and materials science.
• Demonstrated ability to establish an independent, externally funded research program in experimental physical chemistry or a closely related area.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity through publications and presentations.

Required Certifications or Licensure:

No Required Certifications or Licensure

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

Chemistry & Biochemistry at UNC Wilmington offers exciting, student-oriented programs that award Bachelor of Science (BS, ACS Certified) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry, a Master of Science (MS) degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. A significant portion of the training takes place in our laboratories, both those associated with courses, and those involving research in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Marine and Atmospheric Science, Organic and Inorganic Synthesis, Computational and Physical Chemistry and Chemical Education.

The Department is well equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation (http://www.uncw.edu/chem/) including 300-600 MHz NMR spectrometers, several MS instruments managed by a full-time PhD scientist, absorption and fluorescence spectrophotometers, protein purification instrumentation, CD spectrometer, and calorimeters (DSC and ITC). In addition to rigorous courses in all aspects of chemistry, most of our undergraduate students and all of our local graduate students carry out research under the direct supervision of our outstanding faculty.

College/School Information:

The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study.

University Information:

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Eligibility for Employment:

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings: Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants:

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on January 5, 2026, which is the posting close date. Applicants are required to submit the following items in Adobe PDF or MS Word format online at https://jobs.uncw.edu/:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Teaching Philosophy (2-page maximum)
4. Research Summary - A statement of research interests that highlights how the applicant could make use of departmental expertise or resources
5. List of 3 Professional References.
6. If needed, applicants may upload additional materials under the Other' category.

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Libbie Schaffer (schaffere@uncw.edu), while questions regarding the position can be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Hee-Seung Lee (leehs@uncw.edu).

Position Type: Permanent
Job Posting Date: 11/20/2025
Job Close Date: 1/5/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38012