Assistant Professor, Forensic Chemistry

Assistant Professor, Forensic Chemistry

The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in a Forensic Chemistry position in the Department of Chemistry & Forensic Science. Preferred begin date, August 2027. Priority in this search will be given to candidates who can support teaching and research in our forensic programs at the nexus of forensic chemistry and analytical chemistry.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in analytical chemistry or forensic chemistry is required. Postdoctoral research in analytical and/or forensic chemistry, experience in a forensic trace, forensic drug, or forensic toxicology laboratory, and experience teaching undergraduates and graduate students is strongly preferred. The department is particularly interested in candidates whose proposed research and teaching will complement existing departmental strengths in forensic chemistry and analytical chemistry.

Responsibilities:
The candidate will primarily teach lecture and lab courses in the Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) and in the forensic chemistry undergraduate programs. Candidates may also teach other courses depending on departmental needs. The candidate must establish a competitive independent research program that engages undergraduate and graduate students in forensic chemistry. The candidate is expected to pursue external research funding and disseminate their research findings in peer-reviewed journals and through presentations at professional meetings.

Pre-tenure faculty members are assigned an instructional workload of five (5) course units per academic year.

The Department of Chemistry & Forensic Science is ACS accredited, with 18 tenured or tenure-track faculty actively engaged in externally funded research involving undergraduates and graduate students. The department enrolls approximately 300 undergraduates in chemistry, forensic chemistry and chemistry secondary education, and 40 graduate students in the forensic science master's program. The department supports interdisciplinary programs in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics (MB3), and environmental science.

Additional collaborative opportunities may be available with science faculty in the departments of anthropology, biology, computer sciences, mathematics, and physics, astronomy & geosciences.

Application Process:

Review of applications begins on September 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Incomplete applications and applications received after September 1, 2026, will not be reviewed by the search committee. To apply, please upload a single pdf file to Taleo containing the following documents in the specified order: 1. A cover letter stating your interest in the position and your potential contributions to the Master of Science in Forensic Science and Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry programs at Towson University.

(1 page limit) 2. A current curriculum vitae highlighting relevant teaching and research experience. (3-page limit) 3. A statement of teaching philosophy that specifically addresses your approach to teaching master's and undergraduate level lectures and labs. (1 page limit) 4. A description of your proposed research program at Towson University. You must include at least two different projects and describe how they are appropriate for graduate and undergraduate students in our Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) Accredited programs.

Emphasis on research with MSFS students is required (4-page limit, including references). 5. Official copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts (listed in reverse chronological order). Additionally, candidates must arrange for three confidential letters of recommendation to be sent to FRSCsearch by 5:00 PM Eastern time on August 30th, 2026. Letters must focus on the candidate's ability to establish an independent research program in forensic analytical chemistry (trace, drug, or toxicology), current research productivity, and ability to teach and work as part of a team.

Salary and Benefits:
Targeted salary range: $77,000 – $81,000, commensurate…