Assistant Professor - Physical Chemistry

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 master's 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–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 & II both lecture and laboratory, upper-level electives in the candidate's 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 research activities.
  • General Teaching and Mentoring Philosophy (1-2 pages)—including:
    • Prior teaching experience (if any),
    • Strategies for mentoring research students at the undergraduate and master's level,
    • Strategies for teaching students with varying levels of prerequisite knowledge and helping them succeed and persist in STEM disciplines, and
    • Ideas for new elective courses that you would like to develop/teach.

Name, phone number, and email address of three professional references will be requested during the application review stage.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials by the date of hire.

Additional Requirements: Applicants may be required to upload additional documents based on their responses to the Foreign Influence Review questions.

• Passport (all pages including blank pages) and
• Form DS-160 (if ever submitted. If not, upload an explanation)

How to Apply: Applicants must submit an online application that includes all required application documents. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Dr. Stuart Chalk at schalk@unf.edu.

Application Review Date: Initial review of applications will begin on October 23, 2026.

Job Posting Close Date: Open until filled.

About the Department:

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is a collegial, research-active unit that values both pedagogical innovation and scholarly achievement. Faculty have access to excellent research and teaching facilities, and we foster a culture of collaboration and student engagement. The Department offers chemistry baccalaureate degrees with concentrations in General Chemistry, Pre-medical Professions, and Materials Science and a Biochemistry baccalaureate degree. Master's level degrees are offered in Materials Science and Biomedical Sciences, and other programs are being developed closely related to drug discovery and health research. For more information about the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry visit: Department Website.

In addition, the Materials Science and Engineering Research Facility (MSERF) is available to all faculty and houses a broad range of analytical and physical testing instruments.

Statement(s) of Understanding This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check. The holder of this position is designated as a "Responsible Employee" pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University's Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator. Pursuant to Florida Statute 1010.35, this position requires additional information from all applicants seeking research or research-related positions prior to an interview or offer of employment. Applicants MUST fully complete the Foreign Influence Review section of their application. Additional documents (e.g., passport) may be required based on form responses.

Equal Opportunity The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University's collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF's mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.