Assistant Professor in Environmental Chemistry

Open date: October 27, 2025

Most recent review date: Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Assistant Professor in Environmental Chemistry

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Riverside invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor position in Environmental Chemistry to investigate the fate and transport of chemicals in soild and water, and to assess their effects on environmental health. This position will start on July 1, 2026. The faculty member is expected to conduct laboratory, field, and/or model-based research to understand chemical behavior, determine environmental risks, and develop sustainable mitigation strategies.

While all areas of environmental chemistry will be considered, preference will be given to applicants with training and interests in legacy and emerging organic contaminants, particularly those with implications for agricultural soils and food-producing systems. Potential research areas may include the identification and analysis of emerging contaminants (e.g., PFAS) and agrochemicals (e.g., pesticides) in environmental media, determining mechanisms of transformation and transport, and characterizing bioaccumulation and non-target exposure of such contaminants.

Candidates should demonstrate the potential to support a research program in environmental chemistry through competitive funding sources from state and federal agencies or foundations.

Teaching:
The faculty member is expected to contribute to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology.

The UC salary consists of a base pay of $80,800 - $104,700 for Assistant Professors, with additional off-scale compensation commensurate with market value, qualifications, and experience. The off-scale portion of the salary will be maintained as long as satisfactory academic progress is made. Additionally, the off-scale will be maintained, subject to market adjustments to the UC salary scale.

Basic qualifications for this position that must be met by the application date include: a PhD in Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology, Soil Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field. Demonstrated excellence in job-specific skills, including teaching experience.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:
Demonstration of potential for securing competitive funding at the federal level and a strong track record of high-quality publications.

UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

Advancement through the Assistant ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 "For advancement information for Lecturers, please refer to the Contract for the Lecturers Unit (IX) between the University of California and the American Federation of Teachers: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)."

To apply:

submit Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter, Statement of Research, and Statement of Teaching to /JPF
02185. Review of applications will commence on January 1, 2026, and proceed until the position is filled. For full consideration, applicants should submit their complete applications prior to the above date.

For more information about this position, please contact Jiri Simunek, Chair of the…