Tenure-Track Position in Biochemistry (open rank)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is seeking a nine-month, tenure-earning, Assistant/Associate/Professor of Biochemistry (open rank search) (apply here). This position will report to Dr. Bryan Knuckley, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Position responsibilities include teaching between four to six courses per year, with newly hired faculty on a reduced load of two courses per semester for the first three years. Continued reduced teaching loads may be offered to faculty demonstrating significant accomplishments aligned with the university’s strategic plan.

UNF is a Carnegie R2 institution, reflecting our commitment to high-impact research while maintaining our tradition of excellence in undergraduate teaching. We are proud to support active faculty researchers and offer competitive, negotiable startup packages, especially for candidates with demonstrated grant success. We are seeking an individual with expertise in biochemistry, including but not limited to drug discovery, drug development, disease pharmacology, and the utilization of experimental, computational, or data science methods.

UNF seeks to attract faculty of the highest caliber, who are skilled in the scholarship of teaching, discovery, application, and integration of knowledge in biochemistry. A strong commitment to undergraduate research and teaching is required. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active and externally funded research program, teach undergraduate courses at both lower and upper levels, and contribute to the department’s service mission. Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, along with evidence of a significant research program. Postdoctoral experience and evidence of teaching experience are preferred.

For hiring at the rank of Associate, must meet all requirements above; and must have earned rank of Associate Professor, and demonstrated success in securing external grant funding as appropriate to the discipline.
For hiring at the rank of Professor, must meet all requirements above; and must have earned rank of Professor, and demonstrated success in securing external grant funding as appropriate to the discipline.

Faculty at UNF are on flexible teaching loads, typically teaching between four to six courses per year, with newly hired faculty on a reduced load of two courses per semester for the first three years. Continued reduced teaching loads may be offered to faculty demonstrating significant accomplishments aligned with the university’s strategic plan. Competitive startup packages are available and negotiable, with higher packages offered to those with proven grant funding success.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, 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 undergraduate research and teaching.

Preferred Qualifications:

UNF seeks to attract faculty of the highest caliber, who are skilled in the scholarship of teaching, discovery, application, and integration of knowledge in biochemistry.

• Commitment to excellence in teaching undergraduate courses within the chemistry/biochemistry department curriculum.
• Strong commitment to mentoring and supervising research students.
• Demonstrated potential to establish an independent research program.
• Postdoctoral experience and teaching experience are preferred.

Position Highlights:

• Research Expectations: Establish a research program, focusing on biochemistry related topics, that actively involves undergraduate students. This will include continually pursuing extramural grant support, disseminating research results in presentations at professional conferences, and manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. We are especially interested in candidates whose work complements areas such as drug discovery, disease pharmacology, bioinformatics, or computational biochemistry. However, we encourage applications with research programs across the biochemistry 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: Biochemistry I & II both lecture and lab, lower-level courses (such as General Chemistry), and upper-level electives in the candidate’s area of expertise.
• Mentorship and Service: Participate in departmental governance, advise and mentor students, and contribute to our service mission at the department, college, and university levels.

Applicants will submit:

• Cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae
• A single PDF that contains the following four (4) sections:
  1. Research Statement (3-4 pages) - Should include the following:
     1. Project Summary,
     2. 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
     3. A short summary/list of where you will seek external funding (including which program)
  2. Required Supplies/Equipment list (~1 page) - Should include the following:
     1. A list of equipment required to start an independent research program (this list should include items that are greater than $10,000)
     2. An estimate of supplies, chemicals, and consumables to complete the proposed research activities
  3. General Teaching Philosophy (1-2 pages) that includes:
     1. Prior teaching experience,
     2. Strategies for teaching students with varying levels of prerequisite knowledge and helping them succeed and persist in STEM disciplines, and
     3. Ideas for new elective courses that you would like to develop/teach
  4. Unofficial transcripts

Anticipated Start Date: August 3, 2026

Job Posting Date: August 8, 2025

Application Review Date: October 1, 2025

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, but other programs are being developed closely related to drug discovery and health research. For more information about the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry visit us at https://www.unf.edu/coas/chemistry/ .  The department is equipped with the following shared equipment.

About UNF

The University of North Florida (UNF) seeks to attract an active, culturally and academically talented faculty of the highest caliber, skilled in the scholarship of teaching, discovery, application, and integration of knowledge. The University, one of twelve public universities in the state of Florida, enrolls nearly 17,000 students with a 22% minority student population and international students from 72 foreign countries. Academic programs are housed in six colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences; the Coggin College of Business; the College of Computing, Engineering, & Construction; the Brooks College of Health; the College of Education and Human Services; and, the Hicks Honors College.

UNF is a comprehensive four-year institution nestled in the urban south side of Jacksonville; the campus is a refuge from the busy city infrastructure and is less than ten minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. It encompasses a wetlands area of more than 1,300 acres and the 390-acre Sawmill Slough Nature Preserve. The student population is predominately first time in college (FTIC) and transfer students from local state and regional community colleges. Most students live off campus, although on-campus housing has space for more than 5,000. The campus is continually expanding and includes an award-winning Student Union Building and Student Wellness Complex.

Please visit the university's home page at https://www.unf.edu for additional information about the University of North Florida.

About Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a sprawling metropolis of over 1 million people on the banks of the St Johns River in northeast Florida. Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, a National Football League franchise, the city extends 40 miles east to west across the whole of Duval County, from the Intercoastal Waterway to Baldwin. Jacksonville is home to a wide variety of major businesses including Johnson & Johnson, Anheuser-Busch, and Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. More information about the City of Jacksonville can be found at https://www.jacksonville.gov.