Assistant Professor - Organic-Polymer Chemistry

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Job Duties:

This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track undergraduate faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interests and ability to develop and teach courses in Organic Chemistry and other classes dependent on expertise and department needs such as polymer. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching, research grants, internship supervision and other funding sources. Anticipated appointment date: August 24, 2026.

The department has 7 full-time chemistry faculty and offers American Chemical Society approved programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry along with programs in Chemistry Education and Biotechnology. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. The department’s instrumentation includes: dedicated chromatography laboratory, SEM, UV-Vis spectrometers, glovebox, 400 MHz multinuclear NMR, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), atomic absorption spectrometer, FT-IR, microwave reactor, fluorometer, dynamic light scattering analyzer (DLS), GC-MS, ball mills, and joint optics laboratory with the Physics Department, all of which will be housed in the new Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) opening in January 2026. Additional information about the department can be found at http://www.uwrf.edu/CHEM/.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or a related field at the start of the appointment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience teaching undergraduate students;

• Demonstrated potential for research involving undergraduate students;

• Instrumentation skills appropriate to support an undergraduate organic and polymer chemistry curriculum;

• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration with UWRF and/or external partners in industry, higher education, or the community;

• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences and commitment to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications.  Applicants are required to provide:

• Curriculum Vitae

• Unofficial Graduate and Undergraduate Transcripts (official transcripts will be required at hire)

• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

• A statement, not to exceed five pages, describing: 1) your teaching interests, experience and philosophy; evidence of successful teaching at the college level; and understanding of inclusive teaching practices. 2) Your research and scholarly activity agenda, including a summary of research experience and research plans appropriate for a predominantly undergraduate institution.

• A list of 3-4 references who can comment on your teaching ability, experience and/or professional preparation, including the references’ relationship to the candidate, the references’ phone number, and the references’ email address.

Inquiries should be addressed to:

Ross Jilk, Ph.D.
Search Chair and Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology
ross.jilk@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before January 19, 2026.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.95%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 

Title IX Notice 

As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uwrf.edu; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix. 

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy 

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275. 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact hr@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3518. 

Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression 

The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.