"Instructor of the Practice or Assistant Professor of Chemistry"

Position Announcement

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah, invites applications for a full-time faculty position in Chemistry, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2026. Depending on academic and professional qualifications, the position may be filled at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Instructor of Practice (professional-track). The successful candidate will join a dynamic and growing department that emphasizes hands-on learning, industry-relevant skills, and student success.

This faculty member will play a central role in leading and supporting the new Certificate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), an innovative program designed to prepare students for careers in regulated laboratory environments including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, and environmental testing. In addition, the position involves overseeing the Chemistry Analytical Laboratories, with responsibilities in method development, instrumentation training, SOP implementation, and collaborative projects with students, faculty, and industry partners.

As part of the College of Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET), the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is deeply committed to applied learning and workforce preparation, offering ACS-accredited degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry, a Certificate in Laboratory Technology, and the newly launched QA/QC Certificate to address the region's growing needs in life sciences and diagnostics industries.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in the QA/QC Certificate Program and additional lecture or laboratory courses in the ACS-accredited B.S. Chemistry and Biochemistry programs based on expertise.
• Deliver applied laboratory instruction using advanced analytical instrumentation (e.g., HPLC, ICP-MS, FTIR, DSC) and integrate QA/QC principles into student learning.
• Oversee the Chemistry Analytical Laboratories by developing and validating analytical methods, maintaining SOPs, and ensuring compliance with QA/QC standards, including GLP, GMP, ISO 17025, EPA QA, and NELAC/NELAP frameworks.
• Manage instrumentation by coordinating maintenance, calibrations, service schedules, and vendor interactions while providing training and technical support for students and faculty.
• Mentor undergraduate research students and/or analytical facility interns and prepare them for careers in regulated laboratory environments through real-world QA/QC practices.
• Collaborate with industry partners to align curriculum with workforce needs, support student internships, and strengthen career pathways in life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental testing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• For Instructor of the Practice: MS degree, for Assistant Professor: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in QA/QC roles or regulated analytical laboratories.
• Hands-on experience with advanced instrumentation such as HPLC, ICP-MS, FTIR, DSC, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards (GLP, GMP, ISO 17025, EPA QA, NELAC/NELAP).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred:

• Experience in method development, SOP authorship, and audit-ready laboratory operations.
• Experience teaching or mentoring students in academic or professional environments.
• Familiarity with Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs), AI-enabled audit tools, and micro-credential-based learning.

Supplemental Information

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time (10-month) professional-track or tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service anticipated to begin January 2026, with pay and benefits starting January 1st, 2026. Annual salary for Instructor of the Practice is $58,000 - $61,000, and for Assistant Professor is $67,000 - $71,000, depending on qualifications and experience, with additional compensation available for optional summer/overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins October 13, 2025; position open until filled. Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and contact information for three professional references (including email addresses). In addition, applicants should provide a Student Success and Mentorship Statement (1-2 pages) describing their approach to supporting student success, with an emphasis on mentoring students in hands-on laboratory environments and strategies for engaging diverse and nontraditional learners. A separate Instrumentation and Laboratory Leadership Statement (1 page) is also required, summarizing experience with analytical instrumentation, including method development, SOP creation, QA/QC practices, instrument maintenance, and training or supervising laboratory users. Please upload all the requested documents when you submit your application. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and certification of required degrees and upon successfully passing a background check. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office (435) 652-7520.