Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

San Diego State University • San Diego, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The San Diego State University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry seeks to hire a tenure-track assistant professor with expertise in AI-enabled Chemical Discovery, broadly defined. We seek candidates employing cutting-edge interdisciplinary approaches developing artificial intelligence applications for chemical questions. Relevant AI-enabling research areas may include, but are not limited to, reaction discovery and optimization, synthesis planning, catalyst and reagent design, mechanistic analysis, and prediction or control of chemical reactivity and selectivity; molecular and biomolecular structure, function, and design, including generative design of biological systems; chemical biology; and the discovery of functional molecules and materials. Approaches integrating AI with experimental chemistry, automated or closed-loop experimentation, chemical theory, or simulation are encouraged. Applicants from anywhere within the chemical science continuum are invited, as long as the development of AI-enabled approaches is a central focus. The Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry is home to dynamic faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, a competitive Joint Doctoral Program and numerous cross-disciplinary Master’s programs. Faculty benefit from robust institutional support, including access to core facilities and partnerships with external organizations. SDSU is part of a strong research ecosystem in San Diego encompassing a thriving biotechnology sector, multiple academic research institutions (Salk Institute, Scripps Research, University of California San Diego) and multiple academic clinical centers (Moores Cancer Center, Rady Children’s Hospital). SDSU champions the teacher-scholar model of academic research where faculty effort is equally split between teaching and mentoring students, and research.

Requirements

• A strong record of original research achievements
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain a vigorous, independent, and externally funded research program
• Demonstrated ability to effectively teach both undergraduate and graduate courses
• Demonstrated ability to actively contribute to service activities within the university and the broader professional community
• Demonstration of past accomplishments and/or future plans in at least three (3) of the “Building on Inclusive Excellence” criteria
• Terminal degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Science or a closely related field, with all degree requirements met by date of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Postdoctoral or equivalent research experience
• Demonstrated expertise in developing or substantively integrating artificial intelligence, machine-learning, or data-driven methods to address chemical or biochemical questions
• A research program that combines methodological innovation with chemically or biochemically meaningful discovery and validation
• Potential to build interdisciplinary collaborations across experimental, computational, and theoretical research areas
• Evidence of effective teaching or mentoring in chemistry, biochemistry, computation, data science, or related disciplines

Responsibilities

• Establish and sustain a vigorous, independent, and externally funded research program
• Effectively teach both undergraduate and graduate courses
• Actively contribute to service activities within the university and the broader professional community

Benefits

• Robust institutional support, including access to core facilities and partnerships with external organizations
• Rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree