Position Description

Assistant Professor, Theoretical Physical Chemistry
Chemistry and Biochemistry
College of Arts and Sciences

Position Overview

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University seeks to fill a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level in the area of theoretical physical chemistry. The new faculty member will join an interdisciplinary community on the main campus in Columbus, Ohio, and have access to outstanding facilities including the Ohio Supercomputer Center.  Two NSF midscale instrumentation centers (the National Extreme Ultrafast Science Facility and the National Gateway Ultrahigh Field NMR Center) offer numerous opportunities for collaboration and advancement of research programs.

Education and Experience Requirements

A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field is required at the time of appointment. The position will begin in Autumn 2025. Demonstrated potential excellence in highly innovative research and a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring are essential. Outstanding applicants in all areas of theoretical chemistry will be considered.  Teaching obligations will be centered around physical chemistry courses.  Appointment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

How to Apply

Apply to the Careers at Ohio State website at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Assistant-Professor_R114149-2. A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate research and teaching statements. Three letters of reference may be requested at a later time. Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2024. Inquiries may be directed to Stephanie Schumaker at schumaker.22@osu.edu. 

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FOUR documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring. 

You may be asked to provide the names and contact information for three references following the submission of application materials.

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The College provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success. 

Department Information

Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ohio State is a national leader in education and research thanks to our outstanding faculty, as well as our remarkable resources and cutting-edge research facilities. We are consistently ranked among the best departments in the country, ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report in 2023.

Our faculty members include Sloan Fellows, Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars awardees, a member of the National Academy of Science, Cope Scholars, and fellows of the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Several faculty hold major national awards from the American Chemical Society and have distinguished themselves numerous times with research.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University. 

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.  Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.