Position overview
Position title: Assistant or Associate Professor of Computational Materials Chemistry
Salary range: The proposed academic-year (9-month) salary range for this position is $98,300 - $123,800. A salary within this range will be offered to the successful candidate, commensurate with qualifications and experience. The appointee will be able to receive additional compensation during summer months using research funds, subject to campus policies. A 9-month salary higher than $123,800 can only be offered subject to exceptional approval by the Campus Provost / Executive Vice-Chancellor, and only in cases where a candidate has a competing offer in hand for a (9-month) salary that exceeds $123,800. A generous start-up package will be provided; we encourage negotiations on the start-up package during the offer process.
Percent time: Full-time, 100%
Anticipated start: July 1, 2024, with the academic year beginning in September 2024. All requirements must be met by June 30, 2024 for employment effective July 1, 2024.

Application Window

Open date: September 25, 2023

Next review date: Monday, Nov 27, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 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.

Position description

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (https://science.ucsc.edu/department/chemistry/ ) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), as part of the Materials Science and Engineering Initiative , invites applications for a position in materials theory at the Assistant (tenure-track) or Associate (tenured) level. Areas of research include physical, materials, and inorganic chemistry. Candidates with a strong record of publication in the field of theoretical and computational materials and with a strong commitment to research and teaching are encouraged to apply.

The selected candidate is expected to establish an innovative research program in materials theory within the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department’s physical/materials chemistry group. The selected candidate will be expected to teach Chemistry courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and perform service to the department and university. The selected candidate is also expected to participate in the UC Santa Cruz Materials Science & Engineering Initiative by engaging in collaborative, interdisciplinary research, and to engage with a future Materials Science & Engineering graduate program.

UCSC is distinguished by our high-impact research and our commitment to diversity, social justice, the environment, and educational opportunity. We recognize the inherent link between diversity, innovation, and excellence in all aspects of the academic enterprise. Our innovative approach to research and experiential education provides a transformative student experience. UCSC is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI ) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander (AANAPISI ) Serving Institution. UCSC enrolls over 18,000 students, many from historically underserved communities; over 34% are first-generation and approximately 40% are Pell recipients . We welcome candidates who understand the barriers facing women and minorities who are underrepresented in higher education careers (as evidenced by life experiences and educational background), and who have experience in equity and diversity with respect to teaching, mentoring, research, life experiences, or service towards building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment. UCSC is committed to addressing the holistic needs of faculty. We also welcome applications from those who have had non-traditional career paths, who have taken time off for personal reasons, or who have achieved excellence in careers outside academia.

The chosen candidate will be expected to sign a statement representing that they are not the subject of any ongoing investigation or disciplinary proceeding at their current academic institution or place of employment, nor have they in the past ten years been formally disciplined at any academic institution/place of employment. In the event the candidate cannot make this representation, they will be expected to disclose in writing to the hiring Dean the circumstances surrounding any formal discipline that they have received, as well as any current or ongoing investigation or disciplinary process of which they are the subject. (Note that discipline includes a negotiated settlement agreement to resolve a matter related to substantiated misconduct.)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry: https://science.ucsc.edu/department/chemistry/

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or a related field, and
• A minimum of one year of postdoctoral research experience in theoretical and/or computational chemistry related to materials expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

Applications are accepted via the UCSC Academic Recruit online system; all documents and materials must be submitted as PDFs.

• Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.

• Curriculum Vitae - The curriculum vitae should include published papers and manuscripts accepted for publication, posted preprints, proposals submitted and awarded, classes taught, students mentored, awards, and other relevant signs of preparation and recognition.

• Research proposal** - The proposal should strive to appeal to both chemistry and physics audiences. This statement should focus on 1) your most innovative achievements, 2) your overall goals and vision for a research program at UC Santa Cruz, 3) and the experience and qualifications that make you particularly well-suited to achieve those goals. 3-5 pages.

• Statement addressing contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through research, teaching, or service** - Statement addressing your understanding of the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups and your past and/or future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, and professional or public service. 1 page.

  ** Initial applicant screens will focus only on these elements: Research Proposal and Statement addressing contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please review UCSC’s guidelines on the elements of good contributions to diversity statement here for your reference. This committee will be referring to this rubric for our combined DEI & Research Statement screening.

• Teaching and mentoring statement - This statement should focus on 1) your previous formal (classroom, laboratory) teaching contributions and/or future teaching goals, 2) your previous mentoring contributions and/or future mentoring goals, 3) your approach to using inclusive and effective practices in teaching and mentoring. 1-2 pages.

• Representative publication(s) in PDF format - Preprints or accepted (but still unpublished) manuscripts may be submitted. A maximum of three will be accepted and please combine all into one PDF document before submitting.
  (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation* (a minimum of three are required and a maximum of five will be accepted). Please note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm .

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01628

Help contact: ddemarco@ucsc.edu

Campus Information

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify ). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html ).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu

Job location
Santa Cruz, California