Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, Chemistry

Role details

• 499898

• Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States

• Full-time Faculty

Salary/Position Classification

• $70,000+ 9-month contract, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

Purpose of Position

The Department of Chemistry at the University of North Dakota seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the broad area of Physical Chemistry. This is a 9-month tenure-track position, contingent on available funding. The Chemistry Department is housed within the College of Arts & Sciences and offers ACS-certified B.S. degrees as well as M.S. and Ph.D. programs. The department seeks a scholar with expertise in experimental physical chemistry.

Candidates who incorporate computational chemistry, quantum chemical calculations, molecular simulation, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or data-driven approaches as tools to complement experimental research are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful applicant is expected to develop a nationally recognized research program that combines experimental investigation with computational and data-enabled approaches to advance understanding of molecular and materials systems.

This position aligns with UND's Grand Challenge areas of Energy & Environmental Sustainability and Computational & Data Science, and offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations across the university

The Department of Chemistry at the University of North Dakota invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Physical Chemistry beginning in Fall 2027. We seek candidates whose research is rooted in experimental physical chemistry and integrates quantum chemical methods, computational chemistry, artificial intelligence, or other data-driven approaches to address challenges in molecular and materials discovery for energy, sustainability, and advanced technologies.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, establish a nationally recognized externally funded research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute to departmental, college, and university service activities.

Established in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the oldest research university in North Dakota. Founded with a strong liberal arts foundation, it is the state’s flagship university and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having very high research activity. UND offers degrees in more than 225 fields of study and enrolls approximately 16,000 students. It is the home of the state’s only School of Law and School of Medicine. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has major initiatives in rural and public health, and Aerospace is home to one of the first and largest unmanned aerial vehicle programs in the world.

UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a vibrant college town of over 57,000 people located on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota. Short commutes, a great public-school system, high-quality medical facilities, low crime, ample parks and theaters, and a cost of living below that found in large American cities are some of Grand Forks’ advantages. Ranked as one of the top 5 Best Small College Towns, and America’s Best Hockey Town, Grand Forks offers stellar quality of life without the metropolitan hassles.

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful applicant will receive a contract with an approximate distribution of 30% teaching, 60% research, and 10% service effort. UND and the College of Arts & Sciences seeks applicants to help students succeed. The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding promise for establishing a sustainable research program that will attract external funds and be aligned with the UND LEADS Strategic Plan. The University of North Dakota is supportive of dual-career assistance both within the University and the local community. Please contact UND’s Recruiting Manager, Hannah Whalen ([email protected]), to explore dual-career opportunities.

• Establish a nationally recognized research program with significant external funding with emphasis on the broad area of experimental physical chemistry, including developing individual and collaborative research initiatives aligned with UND strategic research priorities and Grand Challenges and serving as a catalyst for attracting and supporting graduate students in the Chemistry PhD and MS Program.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in physical chemistry and related areas. Initial teaching assignments are expected to include fundamentals of physical chemistry, and physical chemistry sequences (for example, CHEM 466: Fundamentals of Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, and CHEM 531: Chemical Dynamics), and associated laboratories.

• Advise and mentor graduate students; direct graduate theses and independent study projects.

• Advise and mentor undergraduate students.

• Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities.

• Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, recruitment, outreach, and safety initiatives. Support the continued growth and success of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Required Competencies

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to teach, inspire, and mentor students.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to develop and sustain an externally funded research program.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate chemistry courses.
• Competence with educational technology and willingness to adopt innovative teaching approaches, including online delivery.
• Ability to work effectively with students and colleagues with a broad range of backgrounds.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field completed by August 15, 2027.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. *This position supports visa sponsorship for continued employment.*

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral experience in physical chemistry or related fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental physical chemistry.
• Research experience that incorporates computational chemistry, molecular modeling, quantum chemistry, or artificial intelligence.
• Demonstrated ability to disseminate scholarly research through peer-reviewed publications.
• Evidence of potential to secure external research funding.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and mentoring students.
• Experience developing or delivering online coursework.
• Experience working in collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.

Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate student researchers.

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 12/16/2026 and include the following materials:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement
• Teaching statement
• Three letters of recommendation (including contact information); please send them separately to [email protected], attention of Physical Search Chair
• Unofficial transcripts. Please note that the selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts upon hire.

Position is open until filled.

Questions can be directed to the Department Chair, Guodong Du, at [email protected].