"Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Chemistry"

The Department of Chemistry at the University of South Alabama (USA) invites applications for a full-time (9 month) tenure-track Assistant Professor position to begin August 15, 2026 (a January 1, 2026, date may be possible). The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in Chemistry or closely-related discipline. Expectations for this position include teaching, research, service, and student advising. The successful candidate will be expected to teach Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry lectures and labs at the undergraduate level as well as General Chemistry lectures and labs based on departmental needs. Development of a vigorous research program, involving undergraduate students with a goal of external support, is expected. Research area is open, but preference will be given to candidates who expand our departmental research portfolio. The successful candidate must be able to work legally in the United States without visa sponsorship.

The University of South Alabama is a comprehensive, public institution of approximately 14,000 students located on the Gulf Coast in Mobile, Alabama. The Department of Chemistry offers an ACS-certified B.S. degree in Chemistry and a B.S. degree in Chemistry with Biochemistry emphasis. Information on the Department can be found at http://www.southalabama.edu/chemistry.

At USA, you would be part of a dynamic undergraduate-only teaching and research environment with the opportunity to teach courses at a variety of levels. Research involving undergraduate students is a primary focus in our department. Over the past decade, several of our research students have been recognized with prestigious national awards such as Goldwater Scholarships and NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. Our majors will have career aspirations that range from landing a job at a local chemical plant to teaching high school science or to furthering their education in professional or graduate school. Over the past several years, approximately one-third of our Chemistry majors have entered the work force upon graduation, another third have gone on to graduate school, and the remaining third have been admitted to professional schools (medical, dental, pharmacy etc.).

Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

To Apply: Please apply via submission of a single PDF file containing, in this order: a letter of application, current curriculum vitae, copies of unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities from which degrees have been earned, statement of teaching philosophy (maximum 3 pages), statement of future research plans and goals (5‒7 pages expected), and contact information (email, telephone, and postal mail) for three professional references to Dr. Richard Sykora, Search Committee Chair, at chemfacultysearch@southalabama.edu. We may contact references directly at any time after an application is received to request recommendations. Applicants selected for a campus visit must also arrange to have all official transcripts sent to Dr. Sykora from all colleges and/or universities attended either electronically at chemfacultysearch@southalabama.edu or sent by mail to the address below:

Dr. Richard Sykora
Chemistry Department
6040 USA South Drive CHEM 223
Mobile, AL 36688-0002

Statements of teaching philosophy should address your teaching experience and how you plan to approach your teaching responsibilities both in and out of the classroom and laboratory as well as describe the styles in which you are comfortable teaching. Descriptions of proposed research plans and goals should ideally describe, in detail, multiple plans for research projects, demonstrate how you will integrate undergraduate students in your research program, explain start-up funding and specific instrumentation requirements, and identify how you plan to obtain external support, including an explanation of why selected funding sources are appropriate for your proposed work.

For questions, candidates may contact Dr. Sykora at chemfacultysearch@southalabama.edu.

The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis.