Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Separations Chemistry

The Opportunity

The Chemistry Department at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a nine-month, tenure earning, assistant professor anticipated to begin August 2026.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in radiochemistry – nuclear chemistry. Of particular interest is expertise in separations chemistry, which may include (but not limited) to: rare earths separations related to critical mineral technologies, actinide separations for reasons related to energy, waste management, fuel processing and national security and nuclear forensics. Candidates with strong background in spectroscopy and radio analytical techniques are also encouraged to apply.

The position would be suitable for a chemist (or a scientist from a closely related discipline), who seeks to develop a program that aligns with both the university’s and the nation’s mission focusing on security and energy.

The successful candidate will be able to:

• Teach and train students in chemistry at the undergraduate and graduate levels and develop a vigorous, externally funded, internationally recognized research program in the field.
• Enhance the department’s radiochemistry program, which has been recognized as a pocket of excellence and a unique strength.
• Provide students with critical skills to meet the national demand for a robust nuclear workforce.

Candidates who could collaborate and leverage the department’s outstanding strengths in material science and nanotechnology, analytical chemistry, photonics, forensic science etc. are welcome to apply. For more information on the department’s disciplines: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

We are especially interested in an individual who can contribute through their research, teaching and service to the excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students are welcomed and can thrive.

The Department of Chemistry at UCF is fueling the STEM workforce of the future, preparing students in niche areas of study such as materials and nanotechnology biochemistry, forensic science, radiochemistry and chemistry education. Our faculty are actively engaged in cutting‑edge, interdisciplinary research in collaboration with the National Center of Forensic Science, the Nanoscience and Technology Center, the College of Optics and Photonics, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Community Innovation and Education.

The department offers a range of academic programs, which include both B.A. and B.S. degrees in Chemistry and a B.S. in Forensic Science, as well as M.S. programs in Chemistry and Forensic Science, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry. Our B.S. Forensic Science degree is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) and UCF is a member of The Consortium for Nuclear Forensics (CNF) and Enabling Capabilities in Technology (TECH), one of only 16 universities in the nation.

The National Center for Forensic Science at UCF, a State of Florida Type II Research Center, leverages the expertise of Chemistry faculty to provide relevant and responsive forensic science research and training and operational support to communities that rely on science to achieve justice.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) is the largest college at the university and a powerhouse for the regional and national STEM workforce, spanning the natural, computational, physical, and social sciences and housing centers, institutes and initiatives that serve as hubs for research and innovation. Through sharing and applying knowledge, COS is cultivating pathways for students to solve our world’s most pressing and complex problems.

With a mission to provide a world‑class education in an environment where faculty, staff, and students thrive, research flourishes, and our community prospers; a number of COS academic programs are among those nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review, and others. For more information, please visit .

UCF, named one of the most innovative public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, is located in Orlando,…